Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using finasteride as follows:

General allergic reactions:

• Finasteride use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
• Some patients can present with symptoms of angioneurotic edema, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing.
• Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.

Breast tissue changes:

• Conversion of testosterone to DHT is blocked by finasteride.
• A portion of this testosterone could be converted to estrogen, which stimulates the breast tissue in the male to grow, resulting in pain and tenderness in the breast tissue, abnormal nipple discharge, gynecomastia, and formation of lumps or masses in the breast tissue.
• This stimulation of breast tissue by estrogen is also considered to be a risk factor for breast cancer in males.

Gastrointestinal upset:

• Finasteride use on empty stomach can result in common general constitutional symptoms such as, nausea and vomiting, and stomach upset.
• Taking finasteride with a small meal or a snack can help avoid having unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms with the medication.

Sexual dysfunction:

• In sexually active males, finasteride intake can cause or exacerbate reduced sexual interest, erectile dysfunction, and trouble having orgasm.
• This side-effect of sexual dysfunction secondary to finasteride intake could be long lasting, even after discontinuation of the medication.

Hair growth:

• Finasteride intake could contribute towards reduced loss and regrowth of scalp hair.
• The desired effect of scalp hair restoration will continue only as long as finasteride intake continues though.