Decreased Alcohol Consumption Among Former Male Users of Finasteride with Persistent Sexual Side Effects: A Preliminary Report

June 2013 in “ Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research ”

Michael S. Irwig

finasteride neurosteroid central nervous system Propecia

Studysummary In this study, 65% of men with persistent sexual side effects after stopping finasteride reported a reduction in alcohol consumption, echoing findings in rodent models.

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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.

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research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations , August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

This study found that former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects reported significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts compared to controls.

research Ethanol Enhances Neurosteroidogenesis in Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons by Paradoxical NMDA Receptor Activation

82 citations , July 2011 in “Journal of Neuroscience”

In this study, ethanol was found to enhance GABAergic neurosteroid production and inhibit long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices via unblocked NMDA receptor activation, effects reversible by specific inhibitors.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

185 citations , March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This study found that 94% of healthy men reported low libido and 92% reported erectile dysfunction as persistent sexual side effects after using finasteride for male pattern hair loss, with these effects lasting on average 40 months post-discontinuation.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations , December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

This review discusses persistent adverse effects of 5α‐reductase inhibitors, like diminished libido and erectile dysfunction, in some patients and highlights the need for patient discussions before therapy, especially for androgenetic alopecia.

research Inhibition of 5α-Reduced Steroid Biosynthesis Impedes Acquisition of Ethanol Drinking in Male C57BL/6J Mice

49 citations , July 2008 in “Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research”

This study found that finasteride dose-dependently blocked the acquisition of ethanol drinking in mice and maintained reduced consumption even after treatment ended.

research GABAergic Neurosteroids Mediate the Effects of Ethanol on Long-Term Potentiation in Rat Hippocampal Slices

48 citations , September 2007 in “European Journal of Neuroscience”

This study found that ethanol's ability to block long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal slices is influenced by neurosteroids that enhance GABA A receptor activity.

Treatment With and Withdrawal From Finasteride Alter Ethanol Intake Patterns in Male C57BL/6J Mice: Potential Role of Endogenous Neurosteroids

research Treatment With and Withdrawal From Finasteride Alter Ethanol Intake Patterns in Male C57BL/6J Mice: Potential Role of Endogenous Neurosteroids

54 citations , August 2005 in “Alcohol”

This study found that acute finasteride treatment decreased ethanol intake in male C57BL/6J mice, whereas chronic treatment showed diminished effects, implying compensatory changes in neurosteroid modulation.

research GABRA2 Alleles Moderate the Subjective Effects of Alcohol, Which Are Attenuated by Finasteride

134 citations , February 2005 in “Neuropsychopharmacology”

GABRA2 gene variations impact alcohol response, and hair loss medication finasteride reduces some effects.