Beneprost 5 mg film-coated tablets – finasteride for treating an enlarged prostate (BPH)

Beneprost is a medicine containing finasteride, an inhibitor of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. It shrinks an enlarged prostate in men. In Serbia it is authorised as 5 mg film-coated tablets made by Hemofarm AD Vršac.

According to the official leaflet, Beneprost is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – enlargement of the prostate that presses on the urethra and causes frequent urges to urinate (especially at night), a weak or interrupted stream and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. For the full effect the medicine should be taken for at least 6 months.

What is Beneprost (finasteride) used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Beneprost used for?

For the treatment of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). BPH may cause:

• a more frequent need to urinate, especially at night, and an urge to go immediately;
• difficulty starting to urinate, a weak or interrupted stream;
• a feeling that the bladder is not completely empty;
• in some men urinary tract infections, sudden inability to pass urine or the need for surgery.

BPH is not prostate cancer, but both can be present at the same time – which is why the doctor performs tests before treatment. Finasteride is not approved for treating prostate cancer.

How is it taken and dosed?

• The usual dose is one film-coated tablet (5 mg) daily, by mouth.
• It can be taken with or without food.
• The doctor may also prescribe doxazosin to better control BPH symptoms.
• Improvement may be felt early, but the full effect takes at least 6 months – take the medicine for as long as prescribed.

Special patient groups

• Women: must not take this medicine.
• Children: must not take this medicine.
• Men whose partner is pregnant or planning pregnancy: small amounts of the medicine may appear in semen – use a condom or another barrier method.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• women;
• allergy to finasteride or any excipient.

Precautions and warnings

• PSA test: Beneprost may affect the result of the prostate-specific antigen test – tell your doctor before the test.
• Mood changes: depressed mood, depression and, less often, suicidal thoughts have been reported – contact your doctor as soon as possible.
• Report breast changes (lumps, pain, enlargement, tenderness or nipple discharge) to your doctor immediately, as they may be signs of a serious condition.
• In a 7-year study with finasteride, fewer men developed prostate cancer, but some had more high-grade tumours; the effect of long-term treatment on such tumours is not known.
• The medicine contains lactose.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

According to the leaflet, Beneprost usually does not affect other medicines. Nevertheless, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take. It can be taken with or without food.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Women must not take Beneprost. Pregnant women and women planning pregnancy must not handle crushed or broken tablets, as finasteride can disturb the development of the sex organs of a male baby. Whole tablets are film-coated to prevent contact during normal handling. If a pregnant woman comes into contact with a crushed tablet, she should see a doctor.

Driving and using machines

Beneprost is unlikely to affect the ability to drive or use machines.

Possible side effects

• Impotence, reduced sex drive and ejaculation problems (less semen) – usually resolve during treatment or after stopping.
• Breast swelling or tenderness, palpitations, abnormal liver function in blood tests, testicular pain, blood in semen.
• Erectile dysfunction, reduced sex drive and ejaculation disorders that may persist after stopping treatment; male infertility and/or poor semen quality.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Allergic reactions: rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (angioedema) – stop the medicine and see a doctor immediately.

Report any suspected side effect to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• If you have taken too many tablets by mistake, contact your doctor immediately.
• Missed dose: skip it and take the next one at the usual time; do not take a double dose.
• Stopping: take the medicine for as long as prescribed, even if you do not feel better at once – the full effect is reached only after at least 6 months.

Related information

For additional care and support with enlarged prostate symptoms, see also the Preparations for an enlarged prostate and trouble urinating category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• Active substance: finasteride, 5 mg per film-coated tablet.
• Excipients – core: lactose monohydrate; microcrystalline cellulose; sodium starch glycolate; pregelatinised starch; docusate sodium; magnesium stearate. Coating: hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, talc, indigo carmine (E132), yellow iron oxide (E172).
• Appearance: round, biconvex blue film-coated tablets marked 'E' on one side and '61' on the other.
• Pack: 3 blisters of 10 film-coated tablets.
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: HEMOFARM AD VRŠAC, Beogradski put bb, Vršac, Serbia.

Storage

• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date stated on the pack.

Frequently asked questions

When does Beneprost start to work?

Some men notice early improvement, but the full effect requires taking the medicine for at least 6 months.

Do I need to use a condom while taking Beneprost?

Yes, if your partner is pregnant or planning pregnancy – small amounts of finasteride may be present in semen.

Does Beneprost affect the PSA result?

Yes. Finasteride affects the PSA test result, so the doctor must know you are taking it.

What if I forget a tablet?

Skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Do not take a double dose.

Sources

• ALIMS – Package leaflet Beneprost®, 5 mg, film-coated tablets (August 2021, in Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Beneprost® (in Serbian)

Date sources were checked: 24.10.2026.