TLDR 5-alpha reductase inhibitors help with benign prostatic hyperplasia but don't cure it, and more research is needed.
The document reviewed the use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARI), specifically finasteride and dutasteride, in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It analyzed 36 sources, including prospective studies and RCTs, and found that while 5-ARI provided a moderate positive effect, they did not completely cure BPH. The review noted side effects suggesting additional mechanisms of action beyond enzyme inhibition, and highlighted the lack of standardized effectiveness indicators. It concluded that further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of BPH and the specific composition of pancreatic tissue to improve drug therapy and develop personalized treatments.
4 citations
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August 2021 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, may cause depression, but more research is needed to understand why.
August 2021 in “Consilium medicum” COVID-19 may worsen hair loss, but treatments like minoxidil can help.
3 citations
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April 2021 in “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry” Finasteride may affect PNMT, causing side effects.
July 2020 in “Vestnik urologii” The cause of post-finasteride syndrome is unclear and needs more research.
14 citations
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January 2020 in “Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia” Finasteride helps with prostate symptoms but may cause sexual side effects.
26 citations
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December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress” Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, neurological, and physical side effects in some people after taking finasteride.
1 citations
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June 2021 in “Singapore Medical Journal” Dutasteride and finasteride can help increase hair growth gene expression but need further improvement.
19 citations
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April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.
January 2018 in “Surgical and Cosmetic Dermatology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride are effective for treating enlarged prostate and male pattern hair loss.
8 citations
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January 2016 in “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” Finasteride and dutasteride can cause severe, lasting side effects.
47 citations
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January 2003 in “Current opinion in urology” A new drug, dutasteride, is at least as effective as the older drug, finasteride, for treating enlarged prostate and may have additional uses.
