Finasteride and Suicide: A Postmarketing Case Series

January 2020 in “ Dermatology ”

Michael S. Irwig

finasteride hair loss suicidal thoughts insomnia fatigue depression anxiety isolation Propecia

TLDR Finasteride may increase suicide risk; more research needed.

A study analyzed postmarketing cases of individuals who took finasteride for hair loss and experienced suicidal thoughts or completed suicide. The study suggests a possible link between finasteride use and an increased risk of suicide, but further research is needed to confirm this association. The most common symptoms among men who committed suicide while taking finasteride were insomnia, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and isolation. Healthcare providers should monitor patients taking finasteride for any signs of suicidal ideation.

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Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Increases Suicide-Related Aggressive Behaviors and Blocks Clozapine-Induced Beneficial Effects in an Animal Model of Schizophrenia

research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride Increases Suicide-Related Aggressive Behaviors and Blocks Clozapine-Induced Beneficial Effects in an Animal Model of Schizophrenia

12 citations, April 2018 in “Physiology & Behavior”

Finasteride raises suicide-linked aggression and stops clozapine's positive effects in schizophrenia animals.

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

58 citations, April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.

research Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

90 citations, March 2017 in “JAMA Internal Medicine”

Men over 66 taking medication for prostate enlargement have a higher risk of depression and self-harm, especially in the first 18 months of treatment.

research Persistent Erectile Dysfunction in Men Exposed to 5α-Reductase Inhibitors, Finasteride, or Dutasteride

50 citations, March 2017 in “PeerJ”

Using finasteride or dutasteride may cause long-lasting erectile dysfunction.

research Characteristics of Men Who Report Persistent Sexual Symptoms After Finasteride Use for Hair Loss

50 citations, September 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.

An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

research An Observational Retrospective Evaluation of 79 Young Men with Long-Term Adverse Effects After Use of Finasteride Against Androgenetic Alopecia

43 citations, January 2016 in “International Journal of Andrology”

Finasteride caused long-term sexual and non-sexual side effects in young men with hair loss.

research Persistent Sexual Dysfunction and Suicidal Ideation in Young Men Treated with Low-Dose Finasteride: A Pharmacovigilance Study

69 citations, July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy”

Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.

research Adverse Event Reporting in Clinical Trials of Finasteride for Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

44 citations, April 2015 in “PubMed”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting side effects like impotence and low libido, but trials lack proper safety reporting.

research Persistent Sexual, Emotional, and Cognitive Impairment Post-Finasteride

81 citations, June 2014 in “American Journal of Men's Health”

Finasteride can cause lasting sexual, emotional, and cognitive issues, with varying severity.

Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

research Patients Treated for Male Pattern Hair Loss with Finasteride Show Altered Levels of Neuroactive Steroids in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma After Discontinuation

61 citations, April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.

research The Dark Side of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors' Therapy: Sexual Dysfunction, High Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer, and Depression

75 citations, January 2014 in “Korean Journal of Urology”

5α-reductase inhibitors can cause sexual problems, higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and depression.

Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels Are Modified in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma of Post-Finasteride Patients Showing Persistent Sexual Side Effects and Anxious/Depressive Symptomatology

73 citations, July 2013 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride use changes brain chemicals, causing lasting sexual issues and anxiety/depression.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations, August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

185 citations, March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations, December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research Finasteride Treatment Inhibits Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Mice

32 citations, May 2010 in “Pharmacopsychiatry”

Finasteride reduces new brain cells in male mice, possibly causing depression.

research Finasteride Induced Depression: A Prospective Study

99 citations, October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology”

Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Sexual Adverse Effects of Finasteride 1mg for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Men

January 2017 in “Scripta Scientifica Vox Studentium”

Finasterid 1mg, used for male hair loss, can cause sexual problems in some men, which can last for several months even after stopping the medication.

research 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia

29 citations, September 2014 in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity”

Finasteride and dutasteride effectively treat hair loss in men and women, but may cause side effects like low libido and depression.