Issues for surgery
For benign prostatic hyperplasia – risk of acute urinary retention if omitted.
Advice in the perioperative period
Elective and emergency surgery
Continue.
Post-operative advice
Patients undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)
Finasteride may be stopped following an effectual TURP, subject to a successful Trial Without Catheter (TWOC).
Interactions with common anaesthetic agents
None for finasteride alone.
Hypotension
For combination products containing tamsulosin see Tamsulosin drug monograph.
Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period
None.
Further information
Administration
During normal handling the coating on finasteride tablets prevent contact with the active ingredient. However, crushed or broken finasteride tablets should not be handled by women who may be pregnant as transdermal absorption would pose a risk to a male foetus.
Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS)
For combination products containing tamsulosin see Tamsulosin drug monograph.
References
Baxter K, Preston CL (eds), Stockley’s Drug Interactions (online) London: Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 18th July 2019]
Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 18th July 2019]
Summary of Product Characteristics – Proscar® (finasteride) 5mg film-coated Tablets. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 18/07/2019 [date of revision of the text June 2018]