Who should avoid handling crushed finasteride tablets due to fetal risk?

Who should avoid handling crushed finasteride tablets due to fetal risk?

• A. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant
• B. Men with hair loss
• C. Children
• D. Healthcare workers

Answer: (A)

Finasteride can cause birth defects in a developing fetus, especially affecting male genital development, because it blocks the formation of dihydrotestosterone. When tablets are crushed, the drug becomes more available for absorption through the skin, increasing the chance of fetal exposure if a pregnant woman handles them. That’s why pregnant women or those who may become pregnant should avoid handling crushed finasteride tablets. The other groups listed do not carry the fetal risk from handling crushed tablets: men with hair loss are the medication’s intended users and are not at risk to a fetus, children are not in a pregnancy risk group, and healthcare workers, while they should follow safety protocols, aren’t the primary concern for fetal exposure unless handling crushed tablets by a pregnant person.

Finasteride can cause birth defects in a developing fetus, especially affecting male genital development, because it blocks the formation of dihydrotestosterone. When tablets are crushed, the drug becomes more available for absorption through the skin, increasing the chance of fetal exposure if a pregnant woman handles them. That’s why pregnant women or those who may become pregnant should avoid handling crushed finasteride tablets. The other groups listed do not carry the fetal risk from handling crushed tablets: men with hair loss are the medication’s intended users and are not at risk to a fetus, children are not in a pregnancy risk group, and healthcare workers, while they should follow safety protocols, aren’t the primary concern for fetal exposure unless handling crushed tablets by a pregnant person.