Active Ingredient: (finasteride, MSD)
Typical Brand Name: Propecia

Overview:
Propecia is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss on the vertex and the anterior mid-scalp area. Propecia is for use by men only and should not be used by women or children.

Direction:
Take one tablet by mouth each day with or without food. If you forget to take Propecia, do not take an extra tablet. Just take the next tablet as usual. Effects of medication may take 3 months before results are obtained and medication should be continued for best results.

Side Effects:
Like all prescription products, Propecia may cause side effects like less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an erection; and, a decrease in the amount of semen. In general use, the following side effects have been reported: allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives and swelling of the lips and face; problems with ejaculation; breast tenderness and enlargement; and testicular pain. You should promptly report to your doctor any changes in your breasts such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge.

Precautions:
This medication is not to be used in women or children. It is important that the doctor has your complete medical history. Consult with your doctor if you have liver impairment, prostate cancer, kidney disease or obstructive uropathy.

Drug interactions:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication especially if you take male hormones saw palmetto, and theophylline.

ETHINYL ESTRADIOL/DROSPIRENONE - ORAL

How to Use:
Take this medication by mouth once daily, or as directed by your doctor. The manufacturer recommends that you take this product after your evening meal or at bedtime to help you remember to take it and to minimize any stomach upset or nausea you may have. You may, however, choose to take this medication at another time of the day instead. No matter what dosing schedule you use, it is important to take this medication at the same time each day.

It is recommended to start taking this medication on the first day of your period (menstrual cycle). If it is not possible to start this treatment at the start of your period, consult the product information and/or your doctor or pharmacist for proper instructions. It is recommended that you use an alternative method of birth control during the first week of taking this medication until the full benefit of this drug takes effect.

Warning:
Smoking cigarettes while using this medication increases your chance of having heart problems. Do not smoke while using this medication. The risk of heart problems increases with age (in women greater than 35 years of age) and with frequent smoking (15 cigarettes per day or greater).

Uses:
This combination medication is used to prevent pregnancy. This medication does not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., HIV, gonorrhea).

Other Uses:
This drug may also be used to regulate your menstrual cycle.

Side Effects:
Nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, bleeding between menstrual periods (spotting), weight gain, acne, stomach cramps, rash, swelling or bloating, skin spots, breast tenderness, or difficulty wearing contact lenses may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: dizziness, flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, unusual weakness/fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches), mental/mood changes, trouble sleeping, hair loss, vaginal infections. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe headache, pain in the lower legs or groin, trouble breathing, chest pain, vision changes, severe stomach pain, weakness on one side of the body, yellowing eyes or skin, lumps in the breast. If you notice any other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart problems, stroke, gallbladder disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, migraines, seizures, irregular vaginal bleeding, depression, any allergies.

This medication is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions: liver problems, kidney or adrenal gland problems, history of blood clots (thrombophlebitis), blood vessel problems (e.g., cerebral vascular disease, coronary artery disease), history of certain cancers (especially endometrial or breast cancer), heavy smoking (especially if older than 35 years of age). If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or have trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if this occurs.

If you stop taking this birth control medicine and want to become pregnant, it may take a longer time than is usually seen with women not taking birth control medicine. Consult your doctor. Do not smoke cigarettes. Birth control pills combined with smoking cigarettes, especially in women older than 35 years of age, puts you at a much higher risk of developing serious health problems than with birth control pills alone. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. If you will be having surgery, be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (e.g., a long plane flight), or have recently delivered a baby, notify your doctor beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken in these circumstances while you are taking this drug. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This medication passes into breast milk and has had undesirable effects on nursing infants. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding.

Drug interactions:
Certain drugs can decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills by decreasing the amount of birth control pill hormones in your system (impaired enterohepatic recirculation or hepatic induction).

This can result in pregnancy. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Drugs that may cause this effect include: many antibiotics (e.g., cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, macrolides, penicillins, tetracyclines, sulfas), aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, dapsone, griseofulvin, certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), modafinil, nevirapine, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), many seizure medications (e.g., barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), St. John’s wort. Ask your doctor if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while taking any of the drugs mentioned above while also taking birth control pills. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., losartan, valsartan), potassium-sparing “water pills” (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, heparin, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), atorvastatin, cyclosporine, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, prednisolone) theophylline, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), acetaminophen, morphine, temazepam, clofibric acid. This product can affect the result of certain lab tests (e.g., liver function tests, blood tests).