Finasteride

January 1999 in “ Drugs ”

Karen J. McClellan, Anthony Markham

TLDR Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.

Finasteride is a drug used to treat male pattern baldness by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. It has been proven effective in large studies, promoting hair growth and reducing hair loss. However, it may cause side effects such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction. Pregnant women should avoid taking finasteride due to the risk of hypospadias in male fetuses. Finasteride has minimal effects on semen production, prostate volume, lipid or bone metabolism, testosterone or estradiol levels in healthy men aged ≤41 years. It is safe and effective, with sexual disorders being the most common side effect. Its recommended dosage is 1 mg/day.

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Research cited in this study

20 / 20 results

research Organic Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Men Under 40

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The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

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Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.

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5 citations , July 1994 in “PubMed”

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Long-term finasteride use doesn't change bone density or metabolism.

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Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting hormone levels, helping with conditions like enlarged prostate, acne, and hair loss.

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30 citations , August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

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17 citations , March 1992 in “PubMed”

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34 citations , February 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride and minoxidil together promote hair growth better than either alone.

research The Clinical Development of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride

211 citations , November 1990 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride effectively treats BPH, but needs more trials to understand potential.

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27 citations , July 1990 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

A pulsed electrical field safely and effectively increased hair growth.

research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers

147 citations , April 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting testosterone.

Related Research

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research A Randomized Double-Blind Study of the Effect of Finasteride on Hair Growth in Male Patients of Androgenetic Alopecia

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Finasteride effectively thickens hair in men with minimal side effects.

research Finasteride

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Finasteride effectively treats baldness but may cause sexual side effects.

Finasteride

Research cited in this study

research Organic Causes of Erectile Dysfunction in Men Under 40

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research In Vivo Time-Dependent Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride

research The 5α-Recluctase System and Its Inhibitors

research Finasteride Inhibits 5α-Reductase Activity in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Prediction of Its Therapeutic Application in Androgen-Related Skin Diseases

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder

research The Effects of Finasteride on Hair Growth, Hair Cycle Stage, and Serum Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone in Adult Male and Female Stumptail Macaques

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

research Effect of Finasteride on Adrenal Steroidogenesis in Men

research Status of Medical Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Finasteride

research Azasteroids as Inhibitors of Testosterone 5α-Reductase in Mammalian Skin

research Prolonged Treatment with Finasteride (a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor) Does Not Affect Bone Density and Metabolism

research Effects of Long-Term Treatment With Finasteride (MK-906), a 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating LH, FSH, Prolactin, and Estradiol

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

research Disposition and Pharmacokinetics of [14C]Finasteride After Oral Administration in Humans

research Hair Growth Effects of Oral Administration of Finasteride, a Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, Alone and in Combination with Topical Minoxidil in the Balding Stumptail Macaque

research The Clinical Development of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride

research The Biological Effects of a Pulsed Electrostatic Field with Specific Reference to Hair Electrotrichogenesis

research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers

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