Finasteride
May 1999
in “
Drugs & Therapy Perspectives
”
TLDR Finasteride helps increase or maintain hair in most men but can cause sexual side effects and should not be used by women, especially during pregnancy.
Finasteride, an oral medication for male pattern hair loss, was found to promote hair growth in 48% of men at 1 year and 66% at 2 years, and to prevent further hair loss in 83% of patients after 2 years, according to phase III placebo-controlled clinical studies. However, its effects are temporary and cease after stopping the treatment. While generally well-tolerated, finasteride can cause sexual dysfunction in a minority of patients. It does not significantly affect testosterone levels in men under 41 but does reduce serum prostate-specific antigen levels, which is relevant for prostate cancer screening. The drug is not recommended for women, particularly during pregnancy, due to the risk of fetal harm. Additionally, the document mentions that testicular cancer has high cure rates, recommending a specific surgical procedure for diagnosis and staging to guide further treatment.