Atypical Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Pharmacological Riddle

January 2016 in “ Indian Journal of Pharmacology ”

Anita Gupta, Neetu Sharma, Prashant Shukla

post-finasteride syndrome finasteride dutasteride androgenic alopecia seborrhea WHO-UMC causality assessment system Naranjo's adverse drug reaction probability scale PFS Propecia Avodart AGA

TLDR Finasteride and dutasteride can cause severe, lasting side effects.

The document described a case of atypical post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) in a 33-year-old male treated with dutasteride and finasteride for androgenic alopecia (AGA). The patient experienced persistent and irreversible symptoms such as generalized itching, burning micturition, abdominal discomfort, and seborrhea, which did not subside even with exercise or various treatments. The case highlighted the multisystem involvement and challenges in managing atypical PFS, establishing a probable causal relationship between the drugs and the symptoms using the WHO-UMC causality assessment system and Naranjo's adverse drug reaction probability scale. The severity of the reaction was determined to be severe, causing permanent harm to the patient.

View this study on ijp-online.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

1 / 1 results

The Effect of Finasteride on the Risk of Acute Urinary Retention and the Need for Surgical Treatment Among Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

research The Effect of Finasteride on the Risk of Acute Urinary Retention and the Need for Surgical Treatment Among Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1054 citations, February 1998 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride reduces urinary issues and surgery need in men with enlarged prostates by over 50%.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community I am a dermatologist with a clinical interest in alopecia. AMA

in Will treatment work for me? 2 years ago

In this conversation, 4990 discussed various treatments for hair loss, including oral minoxidil, PRP, transplan, Jak inhibitors, Dutasteride, Finasteride, Olumiant, Ketoconazole, RU58841, microneedling, baricitinib, and CCCA. They recommended scalp biopsies in unclear cases of DUPA, twice weekly to twice daily shampooing for topical minoxidil users, and two sessions spaced one month apart with follow up at month three to determine the effectiveness of PRP treatment.

community Finasteride doesn't work for me in 2 years and my bloodtest result just came in.

in Progress Pictures 88 upvotes 1 year ago

A user has been treating hair loss with finasteride for two years without success and is experiencing an itchy scalp with seborrhea. Despite low DHT levels, they are still losing hair, suggesting that DHT might not be the main cause of their hair loss, and they are considering other treatments or causes.

community Taking Charge of Your Hair: The "Big 3 Stack" Explained for 2023

in Research/Science 129 upvotes 1 year ago

The "Big 3 Stack" for hair loss treatment, which includes Minoxidil for hair density improvement, Ketoconazole shampoo for enhancing hair volume and thickness, and Finasteride for blocking hair loss causing hormones. Microneedling can boost Minoxidil's effects.

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

in Research 828 upvotes 5 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Don't discount diet for the sake of scalp health. Meds had no effect for 2+ years. 3.5 months since new diet / Shampoo routine.

in Progress Pictures 297 upvotes 5 months ago

Diet and specific shampoo improved scalp health and hair regrowth for someone with seborrheic dermatitis, while medications like Minoxidil and finasteride had no effect. A low-sugar, keto diet was key to their success.

community Age 18 vs Age 25, the importance of starting early

in Progress Pictures 886 upvotes 1 month ago

An 18-year-old began using Finasteride and Topical Minoxidil for hair loss, later switching to Oral Minoxidil and Dutasteride by age 25. The conversation emphasizes early treatment, potential side effects, and differing opinions on medication effectiveness.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research The Clinical Applications of Five-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

2 citations, April 2021 in “Canadian Journal of Urology”

Five-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, can treat enlarged prostates, improve urination, reduce need for prostate surgery, and lower the risk of prostate cancer, but may increase the risk of higher grade prostate cancer. They can also treat male pattern baldness.

research Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of Finasteride and Dutasteride as 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

1 citations, April 2012 in “Daehan namseong gwahag hoeji”

Dutasteride is more effective than Finasteride in reducing prostate size and PSA levels, but both drugs have similar side effects.