Ischemic Stroke in a Young Adult Male During Finasteride Therapy

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.