TLDR Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.
This study examined the effects of finasteride on alcohol consumption in men with persistent sexual side effects. Of the 63 men who drank alcohol before taking finasteride, 65% reported a decrease in alcohol consumption after stopping the medication. The mean weekly alcohol consumption decreased from 5.2 drinks to 2.0 drinks. The study suggests that finasteride may alter neurosteroid levels, leading to changes in the central nervous system that should be further explored.
134 citations,
August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.
185 citations,
March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.
223 citations,
December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
54 citations,
August 2005 in “Alcohol” Finasteride affects alcohol intake in male mice, possibly due to neurosteroids.
134 citations,
June 2005 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” GABRA2 gene variations impact alcohol response, and hair loss medication finasteride reduces some effects.
27 citations,
June 2013 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Finasteride use may lead to less alcohol consumption in men with lasting sexual side effects.
1 citations,
August 2012 in “Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences”
