Finasteride Prescribed for Hair Loss Consistently Leads to Depression: Comment on 'Depression Risk of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: Impact of Active-Comparator Versus Non-Drug User Control Groups on Risk Measurement'

The article critiques a study on the depression risk associated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, specifically finasteride, highlighting potential conflicts of interest and methodological limitations. It argues that while finasteride is effective for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), it consistently leads to depression when prescribed for this condition, with an increased absolute risk of 5-10% for developing depression. The article emphasizes that depression may persist even after discontinuing the drug and can lead to suicide, suggesting that the risks outweigh the benefits. It advocates for alternative non-drug treatments and stresses the importance of informed discussions between doctors and patients about the serious side effects of finasteride.