From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2001-05-06 01:34:00 UTC
Subject: [Ferret-Health-list] Re:Propecia/Proscar
Hopefully this time it will actually make to the list.
More info on Propecia and Proscar.
They both contain finasteride. Propecia has 1mg and Proscar
has 5 mg. The same thing just different amounts of finasteride.
Why does a prostate become enlarged?
In the prostate testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone
(DHT). DHT is the major androgen of the prostate. DHT is the key
hormone stimulating the enlarged of the prostate. Estradiol,
testosterone,
and other growth factors are also involved, but DHT is the key one.
Propecia/Proscar blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into
that bad DHT. This lowers the DHT level in the serum and in the
prostate
which causes the prostate to decrease in size. DHT also effects the
liver
and causes hair lose (male pattern baldness). That is why Propecia
is marketed for hair loss in humans, while Proscar is marketed for
prostatic enlargement (BPH) in humans.
There is a good article about using Propecia/Proscar in dogs for
prostatic enlargement in the April 15, 2001, issue of JAVMA.
Again I recommend using it with Lupron. Lupron to control the
adrenal gland hormones, and Propecia to control DHT and the prostate
in those cases with prostatic enlargement.
I hope that answers your questions,
Jerry Murray, DVM