TLDR Finasteride affects alcohol intake in male mice, possibly due to neurosteroids.
This study investigated the effects of finasteride, a drug used to treat hair loss, on ethanol intake patterns in male mice. The results showed that acute treatment with finasteride reduced ethanol intake, while chronic treatment and withdrawal had varying effects. The study suggests that endogenous neurosteroids may play a role in the potential effects of finasteride on ethanol intake. The study highlights the potential for drugs used for hair loss to have unintended effects on alcohol consumption.
21 citations,
June 2005 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Finasteride reduces alcohol withdrawal severity and anxiety in mice, but may increase withdrawal severity in some cases.
134 citations,
June 2005 in “Neuropsychopharmacology” GABRA2 gene variations impact alcohol response, and hair loss medication finasteride reduces some effects.
29 citations,
July 2004 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Finasteride reduces alcohol withdrawal effects, especially in female mice.
17 citations,
November 2017 in “Experimental physiology” Breathing in newborn rats is affected differently by hormones based on their sex.
17 citations,
February 2014 in “The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology” 
34 citations,
November 2011 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research” Three drugs change mice's alcohol drinking patterns by affecting GABAA receptors.
26 citations,
November 2006 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior” Pregnancy reduces anxiety in rats, but finasteride reverses this effect.
