FINOSIN TABS 30S

What Is FINOSIN?

Finosin is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing two well-established medicines for prostate health: Finasteride (a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that shrinks an enlarged prostate over time) and Tamsulosin (an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck to make urination easier).

By combining both in a single tablet, Finosin works on two fronts simultaneously, giving you quicker symptom relief while also tackling the underlying cause of prostate enlargement.

What Is It Used For?

Finosin is for adult men living with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes frustrating urinary problems such as a weak or slow urine stream, difficulty starting urination, frequent need to urinate (especially at night), and a feeling that the bladder never fully empties.

It is particularly recommended for men with larger prostates and moderate-to-severe symptoms, where a single medication may not provide enough relief.

Finasteride works gradually over months to reduce the prostate's size, while Tamsulosin begins to ease urinary flow within days, together offering both short-term comfort and long-term disease control.

Usual Dose

1 tablet once daily, taken 30 minutes after the same meal each day.

Swallow Whole

Swallow the tablet whole with water, do not crush or break it. Finasteride can be absorbed through skin and is harmful if handled by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

Consistency

Take at the same time every day. Missing doses can affect how well the medicine works.

Duration

This is a long-term treatment. Tamsulosin begins to ease symptoms within days, but Finasteride takes 3–6 months to produce meaningful prostate shrinkage. Continue even if you feel improvement early on.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Never take two tablets at once.

Common Side Effects

·       Decreased interest in sex (reduced libido)

·       Erectile dysfunction

·       Reduced ejaculate volume

·       Dizziness or lightheadedness on standing up (Tamsulosin)

·       Retrograde ejaculation (semen goes backward into the bladder, harmless but causes cloudy urine)

Uncommon Side Effects

·       Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynaecomastia, Finasteride)

·       Runny nose (Tamsulosin)

·       Headache

Serious Side Effects, Seek Immediate Medical Attention

·       Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) during eye surgery, always tell your eye surgeon you take this medicine

·       Serious allergic reactions (rare)

·       Depression or mood changes (monitor, especially if you have a history of depression)

·       Prostate cancer monitoring: Finasteride lowers PSA levels, your doctor must account for this

·       PSA TEST WARNING: Finasteride reduces PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels by about 50% after 6 months. Always inform any doctor ordering a PSA test that you take Finosin, failure to account for this could lead to missed prostate cancer diagnosis.

·       TERATOGENICITY: Women who are pregnant must never handle broken or crushed Finosin tablets, Finasteride is absorbed through skin and can cause abnormal development of the genitals in a male fetus.

·       BLOOD DONATION: Do not donate blood while taking Finosin or for 6 months after stopping, to protect any pregnant recipient.

·       EYE SURGERY: Tamsulosin causes Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS), always tell your ophthalmologist you are on Finosin before any eye procedure.

·       PROSTATE CANCER: Finosin does not treat or prevent prostate cancer. Prostate cancer must be excluded before starting therapy and monitored throughout.

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir): Increase Tamsulosin and Finasteride levels, use with caution.

Other alpha-blockers (doxazosin, prazosin): Additive blood pressure lowering, avoid concurrent use.

PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil/Viagra, tadalafil): Additive hypotensive effect, use the lowest dose of the PDE5 inhibitor and monitor carefully.

Warfarin: Finasteride may modestly affect anticoagulation, monitor INR.

·       Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place.

·       Keep in original packaging, protect from moisture.

·       Keep away from women of childbearing age and children.

·       Do not use after the expiry date.

Finosin is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in Kenya, for adult men only. A valid prescription from a urologist, physician, or general practitioner is required. Available at Pharmily with a valid prescription.

Finosin is a generic dual combination equivalent to Duodart but using Finasteride (5ARI) rather than Dutasteride. Key counselling differences from Dutasteride combinations: Finasteride's PSA suppression is ~50% (vs ~50-70% for Dutasteride), and Finasteride has a shorter half-life. The PSA counselling point is critical, document it at dispensing and communicate to the patient's GP/urologist.

Screen the full medication list for CYP3A4 inhibitors (azole antifungals common in Kenya) and PDE5 inhibitors. The IFIS and teratogenicity warnings must be explicitly counselled, not merely handed over in a package insert. Blood donation prohibition for 6 months post-cessation must be documented. If dispensing to an elderly patient, assess fall risk from orthostatic hypotension, counsel on slow position changes.

What is Finosin used for?

A: Finosin is used to treat an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) in adult men, helping to relieve urinary symptoms such as difficulty urinating, weak flow, and frequent night-time trips to the toilet.

How quickly will Finosin work?

A: The Tamsulosin component begins relaxing the muscles around your prostate within a few days, easing urine flow. The Finasteride component takes 3 to 6 months to gradually shrink the prostate itself, so be patient and keep taking the medicine.

Will Finosin affect my sex life?

A: Some men experience reduced sex drive, difficulty with erections, or changes in ejaculation. These effects are usually mild and may improve over time. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.

I am having cataract surgery; is Finosin safe?

A: Tell your eye surgeon before any operation. Tamsulosin can affect how your iris behaves during eye surgery (called IFIS). Your surgeon can take steps to manage this safely if they know in advance.