March 2023 in “Translational Andrology and Urology” This review discusses the pharmacology of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, their expanding clinical indications beyond benign prostatic hyperplasia, and notes unresolved claims about their potential role in SARS-CoV-2.
December 2022 in “JAMA network open” This study found that men using 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors showed an increased risk for dementia shortly after starting treatment, which diminished over time, and a consistent association with depression, but no link to suicide.
145 citations
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November 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” This guideline review by the European Dermatology Forum evaluates current treatments for androgenetic alopecia but reports no new research findings, aiming to assist dermatologists in selecting safe and effective therapies.
90 citations
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March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine” In this study, older men using 5α-reductase inhibitors for prostatic enlargement did not show increased risk of suicide, but had elevated risks of self-harm and depression.
32 citations
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July 2016 in “PubMed” This review discusses the adverse events associated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, finding them generally well-tolerated but noting potential risks like sexual side effects and psychological effects in men, and sparse data on use in women.
151 citations
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May 2014 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” This review concluded that oral finasteride for men and topical minoxidil for both genders have the most evidence supporting their effectiveness and safety for treating androgenetic alopecia.
104 citations
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March 2014 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” In this study, DHT and calculated free DHT were linked to higher risks of incident cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in elderly men, while total testosterone and calculated free testosterone showed no such associations.
35 citations
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April 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” This review found that 5α-reductase inhibitors are associated with slightly increased rates of sexual dysfunction, gynecomastia, and mood disorders, but the true significance and persistence of these effects remain unclear.
124 citations
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March 2012 in “JAMA” This abstract discusses the unclear role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in postembryonic life in marsupials and possibly humans, reporting no new findings.
47 citations
,
June 2009 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” This study found that finasteride competitively inhibits the enzyme AKR1D1 with low micromolar affinity but does not act as a mechanism-based inactivator.
137 citations
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March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” This review explores finasteride's effects on neuroactive steroid levels and their potential influence on disorders like depression and alcohol withdrawal but reports no new clinical findings.
88 citations
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October 2002 in “Journal of Dermatology” In this study, 19 patients treated with finasteride for androgenetic alopecia developed moderate to severe depression, which resolved after stopping the medication, suggesting an association between finasteride and mood disturbances.
56 citations
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April 1998 in “Steroids” Finasteride reduces hair loss and treats BPH without major hormone changes, but may cause sexual dysfunction.