Effect of Finasteride on Lipid Profile in Individuals with Androgenetic Alopecia
February 2013
in “
African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
”
TLDR Finasteride lowers good cholesterol, raises bad fats, and may increase heart disease risk.
The study investigated the effect of finasteride on the lipid profile of 25 individuals with androgenetic alopecia. The results showed a significant decrease in HDL plasma level after 6 months of therapy and a significant increase in triglyceride plasma level after 3 months of therapy. No significant changes were observed in LDL and total cholesterol levels. The study suggests that the use of finasteride may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, and high-risk patients should be identified to avoid the use of 1 mg finasteride tablets. Lifestyle modifications and avoiding high-fat food may help counter the adverse effects of the drug. Further studies are needed to corroborate the findings.