Psychiatric And Sexual Dysfunction Warnings Strengthened For Finasteride And Dutasteride
January 2026
in “
Pharmaceutical journal/The pharmaceutical journal
”
TLDR Finasteride and dutasteride now have stronger warnings for psychiatric and sexual side effects.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has strengthened warnings for finasteride and dutasteride, highlighting psychiatric and sexual dysfunction risks. These drugs, used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern hair loss, have been linked to depression, suicidal ideation, and persistent sexual dysfunction. The MHRA will update product information to reflect these risks, noting that sexual dysfunction may contribute to mood disorders. Over 400,000 prescriptions for these medications are issued monthly, and the MHRA emphasizes caution due to these potential side effects.
