Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy). Thank you for asking your question(s) on Just Answer.


1. Does Propecia bring on anxiety attacks?

There have been reports of anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and mood changes concomitant with Propecia therapy. These reports are anecdotal however, and not part of a controlled or monitored study. The Askapatient database is a website which provides patient ratings and experiences while taking Propecia. This site is a good source for information on potential side effects. One individual report of this symptom or that symptom is useless for predicting your responses to Propecia, but viewed as a whole these reports offer relevant patterns. You may view these at:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20788&name=PROPECIA

2. They mention swelling of pecs. Does this increase the size of the pecs (man boobs)

Yes swelling and tenderness of the breasts is a potential side effect. In clinical studies 0.5% of men taking Propecia reported breast enlargement after one year, and 1.8% after the second year of treatment. Breast enlargement was reported in 0.1% and 1.1% in patients taking placebo.

3. There have been a lot of reports that Propecia causes depression?

Again, this potential side effect was not identified in Clinical Trials, but anecdotal reports from those taking Propecia include depression as a side effect.


4. Is Propecia similar to anabolic steroids?
Propecia inhibits an enzyme which is responsible for converting androgen testosterone to DHT, thereby reducing circulating DHT by approx. 65%, and raising natural circulating testosterone and estrodial by approx 15%. It does not produce or act as testosterone and has no effect on circulating levels of cortisol, TSH, or thyroxine. Anabolic steroids actually resemble male hormones (ex. testosterone), and bind with available receptors to act as the hormone would. Anabolic steroids also block the effects of hormones such as cortisol to prevent protein breakdown and reduce inflammatory response.

5. Why does in cause male genitalia to not develop in babies?

In genetic male fetuses, DHT plays an important role in normal prostatic development and differentiation of external genitalia. Reduction in circulating DHT is the suspected cause of genital birth defects with exposure to Propecia or finasteride.

6. Just how strong is this drug? Why the claims that it is mild if these side effects are being reported.

The "Strength" of a drug is a very subjective concept, which will vary depending on the critera used. A drug which causes significant physical changes at very low doses may be considered strong, even if side effects are minimal. The term mild or safe may be applied to drugs based not on the quantitiy of potential side effects, but their threat to health and safety. Crtain adverse effects may not be reported if they are secondary to, or the underlying cause of, other adverse effects. For example: reports of sexual dysfunction and low sex drive may be directly related to Propecia, or may be the result of depression and anxiety caused by the drug. Or depression/anxiety may be the underlying cause of sexual symptoms, making them the secondary effects.

The list of potential side effects seems long in this, or any medication label, but inlcudes
symptoms reported in less than 1/2 of one percent of patients. of adverse reactions in those taking Propecia was <4% and effects were rarely, if ever, deemed life threatening or permenant (except the risk of birth defect), allowing the makers to market the drug as safe and effective for use in men. Long term effects (>10 years) have not been sufficiently studied.

For the FDA approved drug information on Propecia go to:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2004/20788s002,010,011lbl.pdf

Good luck to you, I hope this was helpful, let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Edited by cch771 on June 22 2006 at 9:45 PM

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