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What Is Proscar?

Proscar is a prescription medication containing finasteride 5 mg, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called BPH. BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that can interfere with urination. Proscar can improve urinary symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention, and lower the likelihood of prostate surgery in eligible patients. It may be prescribed alone or with the alpha blocker doxazosin. Proscar is not approved for use in women or children and should not be confused with lower-dose finasteride products prescribed for male pattern hair loss.

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What Is Proscar?

Proscar is a prescription medication containing finasteride 5 mg, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called BPH. BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that can interfere with urination. Proscar can improve urinary symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention, and lower the likelihood of prostate surgery in eligible patients. It may be prescribed alone or with the alpha blocker doxazosin. Proscar is not approved for use in women or children and should not be confused with lower-dose finasteride products prescribed for male pattern hair loss.

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How Does Proscar Work?

Proscar inhibits type II 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT contributes to prostate growth and enlargement. By lowering DHT levels, finasteride gradually reduces prostate volume and can relieve urinary obstruction associated with BPH. Improvement develops over months rather than immediately after the first dose. Proscar can also lower blood levels of prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, which affects the interpretation of prostate cancer screening tests. It does not eliminate prostate cancer risk or treat an existing prostate malignancy.

What Condition Does Proscar Treat?

Proscar is approved for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate. Symptoms can include a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, frequent urination, and incomplete bladder emptying. Treatment can reduce prostate volume and lower the risk of acute urinary retention or the need for BPH-related surgery. Proscar is also approved in combination with doxazosin to reduce the risk of symptomatic BPH progression. A healthcare professional evaluates urinary symptoms and other possible causes, including prostate cancer, before starting treatment. Proscar is not an immediate treatment for inability to urinate.

How Should Proscar Be Taken?

The recommended Proscar dose is one 5 mg tablet orally once daily, with or without food. When prescribed with doxazosin, the Proscar dose remains 5 mg daily. Patients should take the medication consistently because urinary improvement can require several months. Proscar lowers PSA concentrations by approximately 50% during treatment, so clinicians must account for this effect when interpreting prostate screening results. Pregnant individuals or those who may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets because finasteride can harm the development of a male fetus. Tablets should be kept intact and stored safely.

What Are the Side Effects and Warnings of Proscar?

Common adverse effects include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorders. Some patients experience breast tenderness or enlargement, and breast lumps or nipple discharge require evaluation. Depression and sexual adverse effects that persist after stopping finasteride have been reported. Proscar carries a warning about an increased incidence of high-grade prostate cancer observed in clinical trials, although the relationship requires careful interpretation. Finasteride can cause abnormalities of the external genitalia in a developing male fetus. Patients should discuss changes in urinary symptoms, sexual function, mood, or PSA results with their clinician.

Common Questions About Proscar

Is Proscar the same as finasteride?

Yes. Proscar contains finasteride 5 mg and is approved to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Other finasteride products can contain different strengths and have different indications.

Does Proscar shrink the prostate?

Yes. By reducing dihydrotestosterone production, Proscar can gradually decrease prostate size and improve symptoms associated with BPH.

Can Proscar affect PSA test results?

Yes. Proscar commonly reduces PSA concentrations by approximately 50%, so healthcare professionals must adjust their interpretation of prostate cancer screening results.

Can pregnant women handle Proscar tablets?

Pregnant individuals and those who may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken Proscar tablets because finasteride can harm a developing male fetus.

References

DailyMed - PROSCAR (finasteride) tablet, film coated. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6f988153-fc74-4ca4-b29a-111f750c4a4b. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Finasteride. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Finasteride. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Finasteride. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

Finasteride. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329/. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.

5a-Reductase Inhibitors. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555930/. Date Accessed November 2, 2026.