History as a Tool in Identifying New Old Drugs

January 2002 in “ Advances in experimental medicine and biology ”

John M. Riddle

finasteride Proscar benign prostatic hypertrophy Propecia male pattern baldness hair growth nettle saw palmetto reductase inhibitor androgen estrogen BPH

TLDR Finasteride, originally for prostate issues, also treats hair loss, similar to effects from certain plants.

Merck's drug finasteride, initially released as Proscar® for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), was later marketed as Propecia® for male pattern baldness after users reported hair growth. This discovery was paralleled by ancient knowledge of similar effects from plants like nettle and saw palmetto. Research by Jean Wilson and Donald Coffey identified finasteride's mechanism as a reductase inhibitor, which was later found to be mimicked by these plants. Dennis Awang hypothesized that these plants shift androgen/estrogen ratios, similar to finasteride's action.

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Research cited in this study

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research Clinical and Hormonal Effects of the 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

33 citations, October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride reduces hair growth and is safe for women with excessive hair.

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

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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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Oral ivermectin effectively cured scabies with minimal side effects, and finasteride promoted hair growth in men with hair loss.

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187 citations, January 1994 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and may help with baldness, but effects on sexual function and male fetuses are unclear.

research Finasteride: The First 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

23 citations, July 1993 in “Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and baldness, but may cause limited urinary improvement and sex-related side effects.

research Male Pattern Baldness: Psychological Impact, Disease Association, and Treatment Options

5 citations, July 2000 in “Southern Medical Journal”

Male pattern baldness is often genetic and linked to a hormone, with treatments like finasteride and minoxidil being effective for some men.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

62 citations, April 2004 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride effectively treats male pattern baldness, improving hair growth and density.

History as a Tool in Identifying New Old Drugs

Research cited in this study

research Clinical and Hormonal Effects of the 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

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