Presentation
Since the advent of finasteride 1mg daily tablets for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, we have noticed an increase in the number of men presenting with melasma. Here we present one of those cases. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
DHT has the ability to deteriorate the hair follicles, but when the effects of Finasteride are present this can reverse the problem or rather prevent it. [steroid.com]
Entire Body System
- Pain
[…] breast cancer have been reported in clinical trials (Proscar) and during post-marketing use (Proscar and Propecia) with finasteride treatment Patients should be advised to promptly report to their doctor any changes in their breast tissue such as lumps, pain [gov.uk]
Adverse reactions CNS: dizziness, headache, asthenia EENT: lip swelling GU: erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate volume, decreased libido, testicular pain, gynecomastia Musculoskeletal: back pain Skin: rash Interactions Drug-drug. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Others have experienced depression, testicular pain, and a variety of allergic reactions ranging from rash, itching, and hives to swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and face. [everydayhealth.com]
Rare side effects include headache, rhinitis (stuffy nose) and back pain. Also, some patients may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. Patients may feel weak or dizzy. [livestrong.com]
- Infertility
To describe a male patient with finasteride-associated infertility. Case report. Tertiary-care clinic for male infertility. A patient with azoospermia who had been taking finasteride (1-mg dose) for 1 year for androgenic alopecia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Malnutrition
Genetic inheritance is largely responsible for male pattern baldness, though there are some environmental factors like malnutrition and illnesses such as thyroid disorders that can contribute to hair loss. [accessrx.com]
The pituitary–gonadal axis in men with protein-calorie malnutrition. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 41, 60–69 (1975). 116. Platt, S. S., Schulz, R. Z. & Kunstadter, R. H. Hypertrophy of the male breast associated with recovery from starvation. Bull. [doi.org]
- Weight Loss
Cautions If hair loss has been rapid and recent, or where there are symptoms of serious illness, such as unexplained weight loss, fevers, persistent diarrhoea, or excessive fatigue, a doctor should be consulted. [doctorfox.co.uk]
Gastrointestinal
- Diarrhea
Also, some patients may experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. Patients may feel weak or dizzy. The dizziness results from postural hypotension, a side effect of finasteride that causes blood pressure to drop upon standing. [livestrong.com]
[…] loss of interest in sex lumps or pain in the breast or a discharge from the nipple skin rash, itching, or hives swelling of the lips or face a smaller quantity of ejaculate during intercourse (which does not affect fertility) headaches, dizziness, or diarrhea [encyclopedia.com]
- Nausea
Xalatan latanoprost Pharmacia & UpJohn Glaucoma 07/28/06 Lotrel amlodipine/benazepril Novartis Hypertension 07/31/06 TA Alocril nedocromil Allergan Allergic conjuctivitis 10/02/06 Ambien zolpidem Sanofi-Aventis Insomnia 10/21/06 TA Zofran ondansetron GSK Nausea [web.archive.org]
Jaw & Teeth
- Lip Swelling
Adverse reactions CNS: dizziness, headache, asthenia EENT: lip swelling GU: erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate volume, decreased libido, testicular pain, gynecomastia Musculoskeletal: back pain Skin: rash Interactions Drug-drug. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Skin
- Alopecia
On December 22, 1997 the FDA approved Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in men. FDA approved uses Treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) in men only. [emedexpert.com]
Carmina E, Lobo RA: Treatment of hyperandrogenic alopecia in women. Fertil Steril 2003;79:91–95. Thai K-E, Sinclair RD: Finasteride for female androgenetic alopecia. Br J Dermatol 2002;147:812–813. [oadoi.org]
The keywords "finasteride", "male pattern baldness" and "androgenetic alopecia" were used for literature search. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Olsen EA, Hordinsky M, Whiting D, et al; Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team. [doi.org]
- Skin Rash
Adverse reactions CNS: dizziness, headache, asthenia EENT: lip swelling GU: erectile dysfunction, decreased ejaculate volume, decreased libido, testicular pain, gynecomastia Musculoskeletal: back pain Skin: rash Interactions Drug-drug. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following: breast swelling and/or tenderness In rare cases, male breast cancer has been reported. breast lumps, pain or discharge from the nipples. skin rash, itchiness hives or nettlerash (pinkish [nps.org.au]
Breast tenderness and enlargement Hypersensitivity reactions including lip swelling and skin rash Pregnancy (Data Sheet) Finasteride is contra-indicated in women who are or may become pregnant. [inchem.org]
- Hypertrichosis
At last observation (36 months) only one in 30 patients complained of an adverse effect: 7 patients with libido reduction, 1 with hypertrichosis and 1 with mastalgia [Figure 1]. [ijtrichology.com]
Face, Head & Neck
- Facial Swelling
You will know that you are allergic to Finasteride if you get hives, have trouble breathing, or have facial swelling of lips, throat and/or tongue. [accessrx.com]
Psychiatrical
- Loss of Libido
KEYWORDS: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor; AGA; PFS; Post-finasteride syndrome; benign prostatic hyperplasia; erectile dysfunction; finasteride safety; finasteride side effects; follicle stimulating hormone; free testosterone; loss of libido; luteinizing [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Loss of Libido Another side effect reported with Propecia use is a reduced interest in sex. In fact, loss of libido was the most common sexual side effect reported in a 2011 study of finasteride users published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. [drugwatch.com]
Specific symptoms reported include erectile dysfunction, severe depression, cognitive impairment, loss of libido, Peyronie’s disease [curvature of the penis] penile shrinkage and male breasts. [web.archive.org]
Known problems include impotence and a loss of libido (thanks to finasteride interfering with testosterone levels), but Stevenson "fathered twins at the first time of trying." "Any medication could react with people. [telegraph.co.uk]
I can attribute some of the loss of libido to job related stress and moving in with my girlfriend of 5 years. I would guess the effects on libido would be very minimal had my job and living situations remained constant. [druglib.com]
- Aggressive Behavior
Fabiana Leopoldo de Sousa, Virgínia Lazzari, Márcia Scherem de Azevedo, Silvana de Almeida, Gilberto Luiz Sanvitto, Aldo Bolten Lucion and Márcia Giovenardi, Progesterone and maternal aggressive behavior in rats, Behavioural Brain Research, 212, 1, (84 [doi.org]
Urogenital
- Enlargement of the Prostate
[…] hyperplasia because enlargement of the prostate gland is dependent on conversion of testosterone to DHT. [gov.uk]
[…] and benign prostate enlargement. [ishrs.org]
The level prompted urologists - who weren't linked to Trump - to say he had to have received care for an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. [dailymail.co.uk]
It is used for a surgical alternative to the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), characterized by enlargement of the prostate, to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and surgery [sterling.it]
- Urinary Urgency
Finasteride works to relieve such symptoms of prostate enlargement as urinary urgency, the need to urinate frequently at night (nocturia), inability to completely empty the bladder, incontinence, or painful urination (dysuria) by blocking the production [encyclopedia.com]
Neurologic
- Dizziness
Versus doxazosin, finasteride had a lower risk of asthenia, dizziness, and postural hypotension, and versus terazosin, finasteride had a significant, lower risk of asthenia, dizziness, and postural hypotension. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Patients may feel weak or dizzy. The dizziness results from postural hypotension, a side effect of finasteride that causes blood pressure to drop upon standing. [livestrong.com]
- Irritability
The decrease in the total American Urological Association symptom score was statistically significant in the combination group (p CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy is effective in decreasing the irritative and obstructive symptoms in patients with [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
A large number of oils and surfactants are available, which can be used as components of microemulsion systems for transdermal delivery but their toxicity, irritation potential, and unclear mechanism of action limit their use. [doi.org]
This is because nicotine irritates the bladder. Ask your doctor for advice on quitting. Each time you collect a new supply of tablets from your pharmacy, make sure they look to be the same as you have had before. [patient.info]
- Excitement
Topical Finasteride Side Effects The main reason that people are so excited about topical finasteride is because of potentially fewer side effects in comparison to oral finasteride. [hairlosscure2020.com]
Abstract By rapidly modulating neuronal excitability, neurosteroids regulate physiological processes, such as responses to stress and development. Excessive stress affects their biosynthesis and causes an imbalance in cognition and emotions. [doi.org]
We are now excited to introduce our cutting-edge technology in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). We have performed over 1000 FUE procedures and are delighted with the incredible results we are achieving. [hassonandwong.com]
Joëls M: Steroid hormones and excitability in the mammalian brain. Front Neuroendocrinol. 1997, 18: 2-48. 10.1006/frne.1996.0144. CrossRef PubMed Google Scholar 12. McEwen BS: Non-genomic and genomic effects of steroids on neural activity. [dx.doi.org]
- Insomnia
[…] sertraline Pfizer Depression 06/30/06* TA Xalatan latanoprost Pharmacia & UpJohn Glaucoma 07/28/06 Lotrel amlodipine/benazepril Novartis Hypertension 07/31/06 TA Alocril nedocromil Allergan Allergic conjuctivitis 10/02/06 Ambien zolpidem Sanofi-Aventis Insomnia [web.archive.org]
But emerging research and a slew of lawsuits suggest that finasteride may be more dangerous than previously believed, with side effects — inability to orgasm, painful erections, chronic depression, insomnia, brain fog, and suicidal thoughts — that can [mensjournal.com]
Other symptoms rarely reported include depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, panic attacks, Peyronie disease, penile shrinkage, gynaecomastia, muscle atrophy, cognitive impairment, insomnia, severely dry skin and tinnitus. [dermnetnz.org]
More than half reported chronic insomnia associated with taking finasteride. [dx.doi.org]
Treatment
[…] of an enlarged prostate. — Susan Scutti, CNN, "Side effects include ... a potential treatment for baldness," 9 May 2018 Minoxidil works for men and women, but finasteride can only be used by men. — Casey Quackenbush, Time, "This Osteoporosis Drug Has [merriam-webster.com]
Treatment with finasteride slows further hair loss and provides about 30% improvement in hair loss after six months of treatment, with effectiveness persisting as long as the drug is taken. [en.wikipedia.org]
On December 22, 1997 the FDA approved Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in men. FDA approved uses Treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) in men only. [emedexpert.com]
Finasteride can also reduce scalp and serum DHT concentrations, and the 1 mg dose (Propecia) is indicated for the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia to increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss. [gov.uk]
Prognosis
BACKGROUND: In comparison with men, women have a better prognosis when experiencing aortic valve stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or heart failure. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Therefore, by the time the PSA begins to rise or reach the threshold for biopsy, most of the remaining prostate cancer is composed of aggressive, high-grade disease that has a less favorable prognosis. [drcatalona.com]
[…] reasonable patient" standard: "a doctor must disclose those risks, benefits, and alternatives that a reasonable person in the patient's position would be likely to consider significant in deciding whether or not to undergo treatment, including diagnosis and prognosis [emedicine.medscape.com]
To evaluate the drug effectiveness, prognosis and side effect, patients visited before the study and the end of first week of treatment, and then followed-up monthly. [dx.doi.org]
Etiology
We propose that epigenetic side-effects of pharmaceuticals may be involved in the etiology of heart disease, cancer, neurological and cognitive disorders, obesity, diabetes, infertility, and sexual dysfunction. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Her research group found these children shared a genetic mutation, causing deficiency of the 5α-reductase enzyme and male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which was found to have been the etiology behind abnormalities in male sexual development. [en.wikipedia.org]
Background Hair loss can be distressing for the female patient, with women being twice as likely as men to be very-to-extremely upset and up to 70% of women reporting high levels of distress over their hair loss. 1,2 Although there are various types and etiologies [dpic.org]
Although the overall etiology is not fully understood, it is known that genetics and environment both have a role—that male hormones are involved in triggering follicular changes in genetically susceptible men. [dx.doi.org]
Epidemiology
Panel composition The EAU Non-neurogenic Male LUTS Guidelines Panel consists of an international group of experts with urological and clinical epidemiological backgrounds. [uroweb.org]
Interactions (BNF) No clinically important interactions reported EPIDEMIOLOGY OF POISONING No specific data or case reports of finasteride poisoning are available. [inchem.org]
Ferzoco RM, Ruddy KJ (2016) The epidemiology of male breast cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 18:1–6 CrossRef PubMed 27. Bird ST et al (2013) Male breast cancer and 5α-reductase inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride. J Urol 190:1811–1814 CrossRef PubMed 28. [springermedizin.de]
[…] particular gene defect has not been observed. [3] There is also a lack of phenotype/genotype relationship in patients carrying the same mutation, which suggests that factors other than 5-alpha-reductase enzyme activity contribute to phenotype. [10] Epidemiology [emedicine.medscape.com]
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 2000, 53: 477-484. 10.1016/S0895-4356(99)00204-8. [bmcurol.biomedcentral.com]
Pathophysiology
[…] finasteride treatment improves pattern hair loss in women with hyperandrogenism but does not affect those postmenopausal women with female pattern hair loss without hyperandrogenism supports the concept that not all types of female hair loss have the same pathophysiology [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The pathophysiology of gynecomastia is also discussed in detail for each of the drugs found to have a good or fair evidence of association with gynecomastia. [doi.org]
Abnormal levels of brain 5-AR2 androgens, such as the potent neuroactive androgen dihydrotestosterone, may contribute to Tourette’s syndrome pathophysiology. [web.archive.org]
Prevention
The prevention of prostate cancer—the dilemma [editorial]. N Engl J Med 2003; 349:297-299. National Cancer Institute. Protocol for Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. http:www.cancer.gov/clinical trials/view Brett AS. Commentary. [ishrs.org]
Finasteride (Proscar) is a very potent type II 5a-reductase inhibitor, which prevents conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a sex hormone. [evolutionary.org]
Therefore, men undergoing regular prostate cancer screening or who express an interest in cancer prevention should be informed of the opportunity to take finasteride for preventing prostate cancer. [cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org]
The preventive benefit of finasteride was maintained over the 16 years.” Topics: Genitourinary Cancer Male Reproductive Cancers Prostate Cancer Next post in Prostate Cancer [cancertherapyadvisor.com]
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of finasteride on serum androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (androstenedione) and its association with prostate cancer risk among subjects who participated in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]