Propecia Side Effects

When side effects of Propecia do occur, they can include things like decreased ejaculate amount, erectile dysfunction, and decreased libido. However, most people tolerate the drug well. There are also some rare but serious Propecia side effects that can potentially occur and may require immediate medical attention. These side effects include testicular pain, breast tenderness or enlargement, and allergic reaction.

 

Propecia Side Effects: An Introduction

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Propecia® (finasteride). However, not everyone who takes this drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Propecia well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor, meaning they either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects of Propecia. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Propecia side effects with you.)
 

Common Side Effects of Propecia

Propecia has been thoroughly studied in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects occurring in the group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, the most common Propecia side effects include:
 
  • Decreased libido (sex drive) -- in up to 1.8 percent of people
  • Erectile dysfunction (impotence or ED) -- up to 1.3 percent
  • Decreased ejaculate amount -- up to 1.2 percent.
     
(Click Propecia Sexual Side Effects for more information on Propecia, impotence, and these other sexual side effects.)
 
You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking on the following eMedTV links:
 

Propecia Side Effects to Report

There are a number of rare side effects with Propecia that you should report to your healthcare provider. These side effects have occurred in very few patients taking Propecia (less than 1 percent). For these side effects, it is difficult to tell whether they are actually caused by Propecia or something else. These rare but possible Propecia side effects include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained skin rash, itching, hives, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Breast tenderness or breast enlargement
  • Testicular pain.
     
(Propecia Side Effects Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;