May Patients Receiving 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Be at Higher Risk of COVID-19 Complications?

    April 2020 in “ Medical hypotheses ”
    Jan Adamowicz, Kajetan Juszczak, Tomasz Drewa
    TLDR Men on 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors might have worse COVID-19 outcomes.
    The document hypothesized that 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), might contribute to poorer COVID-19 outcomes in males. This was based on the observation that males had a 65% higher mortality rate from COVID-19 compared to females. The inhibitors, such as finasteride and dutasteride, could disrupt androgen metabolism in the lungs, potentially impairing lung regeneration and surfactant production, which are crucial for recovery from severe COVID-19-related pneumonia. The hypothesis suggested that patients on these medications might be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 complications, warranting further interdisciplinary research to optimize treatment protocols.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results
      FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

      community FCE 28260: A Forgotten 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

      in Research  330 upvotes 3 months ago
      FCE 28260 (PNU 156765), an under-explored 5α-reductase inhibitor, showcases promising results in research by Giudici et al., outperforming well-known treatments like Finasteride in reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Its superior efficacy, demonstrated through lower IC50 values in both natural and human recombinant enzyme studies, suggests it could offer more effective management of DHT-related conditions. Additionally, its lower molecular weight hints at better potential for topical application, potentially offering advantages in treating conditions such as androgenic alopecia. Despite its potential, it has not advanced in development, possibly due to financial limitations, leaving its therapeutic prospects and side effect profile largely unexplored.

      community Wtf have we been doing for the last 30 years

      in Treatment  526 upvotes 4 days ago
      Hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride work but have side effects. A permanent cure is still not available due to the complexity of hair loss and limited investment.

      community Hair Loss Drugs Ranked in Order of Efficacy

      in Research/Science  67 upvotes 1 year ago
      Dutasteride is likely the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness, followed by finasteride and minoxidil in various forms and dosages. Users discuss personal experiences, dosages, and potential side effects, with some considering combining treatments for better results.

      community Update: 4 Month progress on Fin/Min plus dermaroller

      in Progress Pictures  559 upvotes 11 months ago
      A user shared a 4-month update on their hair regrowth progress using finasteride, minoxidil, a dermaroller, ketoconazole shampoo, multivitamins, and biotin, and received positive reactions and inquiries from others. They also mentioned lifestyle changes such as quitting creatine, alcohol, and smoking, which may have contributed to their success.

    Similar Research

    6 / 1000+ results