Investigation of Suicidality and Psychological Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Finasteride

November 2020 in “ JAMA Dermatology ”

David-Dan Nguyen, Maya Marchese, Eugene B. Cone, Marco Paciotti, Shehzad Basaria, Naeem Bhojani, Quoc-Dien Trinh

TLDR Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.

A study suggests that there may be a link between finasteride use and suicidality and psychological adverse events, especially in younger patients and those using the drug for alopecia. Healthcare providers should monitor patients closely for these potential side effects. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of finasteride use.

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Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Finasteride and Suicide: A Postmarketing Case Series

6 citations, January 2020 in “Dermatology”

Finasteride may increase suicide risk; more research needed.

research Sexual Dysfunction in Men Taking Systemic Dermatologic Medication: A Systematic Review

11 citations, March 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Some men taking finasteride for hair loss may experience sexual problems like erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive, which can persist even after stopping the medication.

research Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors

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Men over 66 taking medication for prostate enlargement have a higher risk of depression and self-harm, especially in the first 18 months of treatment.

research Sexual Side Effects of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Finasteride and Dutasteride: A Comprehensive Review

21 citations, January 2017 in “Dermatology Online Journal”

Finasteride and dutasteride can cause sexual problems like impotence and low libido.

research Characteristics of Men Who Report Persistent Sexual Symptoms After Finasteride Use for Hair Loss

50 citations, September 2016 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause persistent sexual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life.

research Persistent Sexual Dysfunction and Suicidal Ideation in Young Men Treated with Low-Dose Finasteride: A Pharmacovigilance Study

69 citations, July 2015 in “Pharmacotherapy”

Low-dose finasteride may cause lasting sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts in young men.

research Adverse Event Reporting in Clinical Trials of Finasteride for Androgenic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

44 citations, April 2015 in “PubMed”

Finasteride for hair loss may cause long-lasting side effects like impotence and low libido, but trials lack proper safety reporting.

research Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Thoughts Among Former Users of Finasteride With Persistent Sexual Side Effects

134 citations, August 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry”

Former finasteride users with persistent sexual side effects have higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.

research Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss

185 citations, March 2011 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Finasteride for hair loss can cause long-lasting sexual side effects like low libido and erectile dysfunction.

Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

research Adverse Side Effects of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors Therapy: Persistent Diminished Libido, Erectile Dysfunction, and Depression in a Subset of Patients

223 citations, December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine”

Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.

research Finasteride Induced Depression: A Prospective Study

99 citations, October 2006 in “BMC clinical pharmacology”

Finasteride may cause slight depression and anxiety.

research Neurosteroids, Neuroactive Steroids, and Symptoms of Affective Disorders

82 citations, August 2006 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior”

Certain steroids in the brain affect mood and symptoms of depression, and treatments targeting these steroids show promise for improving these symptoms.

research Marked Suppression of Dihydrotestosterone in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Dutasteride, a Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

408 citations, May 2004 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Dutasteride more effectively lowers DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates than finasteride.

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research What's New in Therapy for Male Androgenetic Alopecia?

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research Investigation of Suicidality and Psychological Adverse Events in Patients Treated With Finasteride

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Finasteride may cause suicidal thoughts and mental side effects, especially in young people with hair loss.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Drug Safety and Therapeutic Strategies

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Personalized treatment with inhibitors, minoxidil, and laser therapy helps hair loss.

research Combined Treatment of Benign Prostatic Syndrome with Tamsulosin and Finasteride: Literature Review and Prescription Data

1 citations, May 2017 in “Urologe A”

Using tamsulosin and finasteride together for benign prostatic syndrome has increased and shows improvement in symptoms, but more reliable comparisons are needed.

research Dutasteride Improves Hair Growth in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness More Effectively Than Finasteride

January 2007 in “Inpharma Weekly”

Dutasteride is more effective for male pattern baldness than finasteride, and black cohosh extract BNO 1055 is as effective as conjugated estrogens in treating postmenopausal symptoms, with added benefits in reducing sweating and mental symptoms.