Finasteride Adverse Effects and Post-Finasteride Syndrome: Implications for Dentists
April 2016
in “
Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences
”
TLDR Finasteride, used for treating hair loss, can cause mental, physical, and sexual side effects, some of which may persist even after stopping the drug, and it can also cause mild to moderate oral issues.
The 2016 study "Finasteride adverse effects and post-finasteride syndrome; implications for dentists" discussed the side effects of Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor used in treating androgenic alopecia. The most common adverse effects were mental issues (such as reduced pleasure or emotions, depression), physical impairments (like loss of muscle tone and/or mass), and sexual complaints (including loss of libido and sexual potency). The study also mentioned a post-finasteride syndrome, which are persistent adverse effects that continue three months or more after stopping Finasteride. The study also noted new adverse effects at the skin level or oral cavity (marginal periodontium). The study reported mild to moderate oral adverse effects during Finasteride administration, which generally responded to topical procedures without requiring the cessation of the drug. The study suggested further research on larger samples to better understand the relationship between the described oral adverse effects and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
