Assessing dutasteride-associated sexual dysfunction using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System
December 2017
in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”
TLDR Dutasteride is linked to a higher chance of sexual dysfunction, especially in younger males and the elderly.
The study analyzed the FAERS database to evaluate the risk of sexual dysfunction in dutasteride users, a drug for benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. It found a significant increase in reports of sexual dysfunction across all age groups, except for those aged 31-45 years. The highest risk was observed in the 76-92 years age group. The unadjusted Reporting Odds Ratios (ROR) indicated a particularly high risk in younger males, with an ROR of 21.93 for ages 31-45 and 76.68 for ages 17-30. The adjusted, weighted average ROR was 5.51 (p-value <0.001), confirming a statistically significant association between dutasteride and sexual dysfunction. The study suggests further research is needed to identify at-risk populations and calls for caution in the use of dutasteride. Limitations included potential underreporting and selection bias in the FAERS database.
View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →
Cited in this study
research Assessing finasteride-associated sexual dysfunction using the FAERS database
Finasteride use linked to increased risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in younger people.
research Risk of erectile dysfunction associated with use of 5-α reductase inhibitors for benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia: population based studies using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Taking 5-α reductase inhibitors for prostate enlargement or hair loss does not significantly raise the risk of erectile dysfunction.
research Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
5α-reductase inhibitors increase the risk of sexual dysfunction, especially in men with enlarged prostate.
research Investigation of the Plausibility of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Syndrome
The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.
research Effect of dutasteride 0.5 mg/d in men with androgenetic alopecia recalcitrant to finasteride
Dutasteride helps hair growth in those unresponsive to finasteride, but may cause more sexual dysfunction.
research 5-α-Reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer chemoprevention: an updated Cochrane systematic review
5-α-reductase inhibitors reduce prostate cancer risk but may cause sexual dysfunction and don't affect high-grade tumor or death rates.
research Finasteride 5mg and Sexual Side Effects: How Many of these are Related to a Nocebo Phenomenon?
Knowing about finasteride's sexual side effects increases reported dysfunction.
research Marked Suppression of Dihydrotestosterone in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Dutasteride, a Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor
Dutasteride more effectively lowers DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates than finasteride.
Related
research Assessing dutasteride-associated sexual dysfunction using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System
Dutasteride is linked to a higher chance of sexual dysfunction, especially in younger males and the elderly.