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 ”

Glenn J. Gormley, Elizabeth Stoner, Roger S. Rittmaster, Hall Gregg, David R. Thompson, Kenneth C. Lasseter, Peter H. Vlasses, Evan A. Stein

finasteride 5α-reductase inhibitor DHT androgen-dependent conditions benign prostatic hyperplasia male pattern baldness testosterone androstenedione Propecia 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor dihydrotestosterone BPH androgenic alopecia

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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