Risk of Depression Associated with Finasteride Treatment

April 2021 in “ Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology ”

Maurizio Pompili, C. Magistri, Stefano Maddalena, Cristiano Mellini, Severino Persechino, Ross J. Baldessarini

finasteride hair loss benign prostatic enlargement depression anxiety suicidal ideation sexual dysfunction Propecia

Studysummary In this study, finasteride treatment was associated with an increased risk of depression, suicidal ideation, and persistent sexual dysfunction compared to those not treated with the drug.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The review indicated that finasteride, a treatment for hair loss and benign prostatic enlargement, was associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, even after discontinuation. The pooled rates of depressive symptoms were higher in those treated with finasteride (3.33%) compared to those not treated (2.54%), with an odds ratio of 2.14. Additionally, the risk of suicidal ideation or behavior was significantly greater in finasteride users (21.2% vs 14.0%), and the risk of sustained sexual dysfunction was notably high (60.1%). These findings suggested that finasteride could have persistent adverse psychiatric effects.

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