For Whom Is Propecia Not Safe?
Unlike Rogaine, Propecia is only available for usage by men. It is not a treatment for hair loss in the case of women and children. This is because the active agent in Propecia, finasteride carries with it severe side effects for women of child bearing age. It may cause birth defects, particularly of the genital areas of male fetuses. Propecia is considered such a threat in this regard that it is not even recommended for women to handle broken or crushed tablets. Propecia tablets have a protected coating to protect women, and normal handling of Propecia should not be dangerous for women, provided that they have not been broken or crushed.
Studies support the idea that men who take Propecia pose no threat to women or their fetuses. This is despite the fact that men taking Propecia will have trace remnants of the drug in their semen. In one significant study where 35 men took Propecia daily for 6 months, it was found that Propecia levels were undetectable in 60% of cases. The mean level of Propecia found in the samples was 0.26% ng/mL, with the highest level measured being 1.52 ng/mL. This amount of Propecia is simply not enough to pose a likely danger to women or their fetuses. 750 times this amount of Propecia have been injected into pregnant Rhesus monkeys without any effect to the health of the mother monkey or her male offsprings.
In the case of men there are three circumstances that may prevent or limit the usage of Propecia. First, men with allergies to finasteride or to other medications related to finasteride should not take Propecia. Second, men with liver function abnormalities should only employ Propecia with extreme caution. This is because Propecia is metabolized in the liver. Lastly, men for whom the noted side effects of Propecia are unusually severe or long lasting should continue using it only with caution and under the direct guidance of a medical doctor.