Ischemic Stroke in a Young Adult Male During Finasteride Therapy
March 2026
in “
Cureus
”
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Studysummary In this case study, ischemic stroke occurred in a 20-year-old male taking finasteride for hair loss, with multiple genetic predispositions for thrombosis; while causality is uncertain, clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing finasteride to patients with thrombotic risk factors.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 20-year-old male taking finasteride for androgenetic alopecia experienced an ischemic stroke, despite having no traditional risk factors. The patient had genetic predispositions for thrombosis, including Factor V Leiden mutation and other polymorphisms. Although a direct causal link between finasteride and the stroke cannot be confirmed, the case suggests that finasteride may contribute to thrombotic events in individuals with prothrombotic tendencies. The patient showed partial neurological recovery after discontinuing finasteride and receiving antiplatelet therapy. This case underscores the need for caution when prescribing finasteride to those with a predisposition to thrombosis and calls for further studies to assess the risk.
