Finasteride
December 2013
in “
Reactions Weekly
”
TLDR Some men taking finasteride for hair loss experienced anxiety, depression, and sexual problems, which sometimes continued after stopping the medication.
An observational study reported on three men who developed anxious/depressive symptoms and sexual dysfunction while taking finasteride (Proscar or Propecia) for androgenic alopecia. A 43-year-old man experienced anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, loss of libido, erectile difficulties, and genital paraesthesia during and after treatment with Proscar 1.25 mg/day. His anxious/depressive symptoms improved after stopping the drug, but sexual dysfunction persisted. A 32-year-old man had similar symptoms, including suicidal thoughts and genital numbness, while on Propecia 1 mg/day. Post-discontinuation, his suicidal thoughts and erectile difficulties resolved, but other symptoms remained. Lastly, a 44-year-old man also suffered from anxiety, depression, loss of libido, erectile difficulties, and genital numbness while on Propecia 1 mg/day, with symptoms persisting after stopping the medication. The authors noted that sexual side effects and depressive symptoms can persist even after treatment is discontinued.