Signal Detection Between 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and the Risk of Suicidality and Depression: An International Pharmacovigilance Analysis

    June 2025 in “ European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ”
    Soyun Lee, Hyesu Jo, Guillaume Fond … Dong Keon Yon
    Studysummary In this study, researchers found a statistically significant increase in reports of suicidality and depression associated with finasteride use, especially in younger individuals, whereas dutasteride showed no significant signal for suicidality and a weaker signal for depression.
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    Research cited in this study 20

    1. Association of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors With Depression and Suicide: A Mini Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis European urology focus · 2024
    2. Anxiety and Depression-Like Behaviour Following Short-Term Finasteride Administration Is Associated With Impaired Synaptic Plasticity and Cognitive Behaviour in Male Rats Journal of psychiatric research · 2024
    3. Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride 0.5 mg in Korean Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: 5-Year Data Demonstrating Clinical Improvement with Sustained Efficacy The Journal of Dermatology · 2024
    4. US Food and Drug Administration Warning Regarding Finasteride and Suicidal Ideation: What Should Urologists Know? European urology open science · 2023
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    6. Comparison of Oral Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Dutasteride for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Dermatological Treatment · 2022
    7. Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride in Patients With Male Androgenic Alopecia in South Korea: A Multicentre Chart Review Study Annals of Dermatology · 2022
    8. The Connection of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors to the Development of Depression Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 2021
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    10. Risk of Depression Associated with Finasteride Treatment Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology · 2021
    11. Investigation of Suicidality and Psychological Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Finasteride JAMA Dermatology · 2020
    12. Association Between 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Use and the Risk of Depression: A Meta-Analysis Urology Journal · 2020
    13. Lack of Association Between 5α-Reductase Inhibitors and Depression The Journal of Urology · 2020
    14. Risk of Depression After 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitor Medication: Meta-Analysis The World Journal of Men's Health · 2019
    15. Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology · 2017
    16. Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Dutasteride in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia Journal of Dermatology · 2016
    17. Persistent Sexual Dysfunction and Suicidal Ideation in Young Men Treated with Low-Dose Finasteride: A Pharmacovigilance Study Pharmacotherapy · 2015
    18. Side Effects of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Review Sexual medicine reviews · 2013
    19. Finasteride Treatment and Neuroactive Steroid Formation PubMed · 2009
    20. A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Cns Drug Reviews · 2006