TLDR Drugs for prostate enlargement and hair loss were not linked to increased risk of depression or suicide.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of five studies involving 2,213,600 patients was conducted to investigate the potential risks of depression and suicide associated with 5α-Reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs), drugs commonly prescribed for benign prostatic obstruction and androgenic alopecia. The analysis found no statistically significant association between 5-ARI exposure and the risk of depression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85–2.00; p = 0.23) or suicide (aHR 1.30, 95% CI 0.65–2.61; p = 0.45). Similar results were observed in subgroup analyses for finasteride and dutasteride, and when the analysis was restricted to patients without a prior diagnosis of depression.
December 2022 in “JAMA network open” 5α-Reductase inhibitors may increase depression risk but not dementia or suicide.
40 citations,
November 2020 in “JAMA Dermatology” Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.
90 citations,
March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine” Men over 66 taking medication for prostate enlargement have a higher risk of depression and self-harm, especially in the first 18 months of treatment.
December 2022 in “JAMA network open” 5α-Reductase inhibitors may increase depression risk but not dementia or suicide.
3 citations,
July 2021 in “Drug Testing and Analysis” 5α-reductase inhibitors can interfere with doping tests by masking banned substances.
50 citations,
March 2017 in “PeerJ” Using finasteride or dutasteride may cause long-lasting erectile dysfunction.
35 citations,
April 2013 in “Sexual medicine reviews” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors slightly increase the risk of sexual and mood side effects, and breast growth in men.
35 citations,
May 2020 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” Different drugs for prostate-related urinary symptoms work but have various side effects, and treatment should be tailored to the individual.
