Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers*
April 1990
in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”
TLDR Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting testosterone.
Finasteride is a drug that inhibits 5α-reductase and reduces DHT levels in male volunteers. It does not affect testosterone and androstenedione levels. It is a potential treatment for androgen-dependent conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness. The study found that finasteride is a safe and effective inhibitor of 5α-reductase in men, leading to a significant decrease in serum DHT levels. No adverse effects were reported during the study.
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Cited in this study
research Clinical Usefulness of Plasma Androstanediol Glucuronide Measurements in Women with Idiopathic Hirsutism*
Measuring androstanediol glucuronide in blood is useful for assessing and tracking treatment in women with excessive hair growth.
research Species Differences in Prostatic Steroid 5α-Reductases of Rat, Dog, and Human
Different animals have unique versions of the enzyme that changes testosterone into another hormone, which is important for creating effective treatments for prostate and hair loss conditions.