January 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Men with hair loss who take a certain type of medication may experience fewer COVID-19 symptoms.
June 2026 in “Frontiers in Medicine” This systematic review examines the sexual dysfunction associated with 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) used for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Analyzing 41 studies, it finds that sexual adverse events, such as decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, occur in 1.9–6.7% of men taking oral finasteride and 4.1–12.0% for dutasteride, with lower rates for topical finasteride. These effects are generally mild, reversible, and not consistently reported in women. Clinicians should inform patients about these potential side effects, emphasizing their infrequency and reversibility, while advocating for shared decision-making and further research to better understand individual susceptibility and long-term risks.
Canadian lawsuits involving 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are related to persistent erectile dysfunction side effects, with no judgments against companies yet.
1 citations
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August 2017 in “The Journal of urology/The journal of urology” 5α-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.
3 citations
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August 2020 in “Urology Journal” Using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of mild depression.
![Synthesis and In Vitro Study of 17β-[N-Ureylene-N,N′-Disubstituted]-4-Methyl-4-Aza-5α-Androstan-3-Ones as Selective Inhibitors of Type I 5α-Reductase](/images/research/d19df8a7-8de6-4430-8a0d-4ffa1f502985/small/15608.jpg)
5 citations
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February 1997 in “Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry” New compounds were made that effectively block a specific enzyme related to androgen conditions.
12 citations
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April 1995 in “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry” The new compounds moderately block a specific enzyme and strongly counteract a male hormone, suggesting potential for treating certain male-related health conditions.
December 2022 in “Scientific Reports” Compound 4 is a promising treatment for hair loss with low toxicity.
2 citations
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January 2017 in “Annals of Dermatology” Taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors does not increase breast cancer risk in men.
1 citations
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February 2022 in “The Journal of Urology” Certain drugs like Dutasteride and Finasteride might help fight SARS-CoV-2 by increasing levels of a steroid called DHEA, which can protect the heart and increase nitric oxide to counteract the virus.
13 citations
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January 2017 in “Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin” Certain compounds, especially those with a propionic substituent, could potentially be new treatments for hair loss and similar disorders.
5 citations
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November 2015 in “Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry” Certain derivatives are more effective 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitors than finasteride.
These medications for BPH have known risks and may have new side effects.
111 citations
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August 2015 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders” 5α-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent sexual dysfunction and depression, needing more research on long-term effects.
5 citations
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November 2020 in “medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” 5-Alpha-Reductase inhibitors shorten COVID-19 recovery time in men.
4 citations
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August 2011 in “The Lancet Oncology” Off-label drug use can be risky and requires careful consideration to ensure patient safety.
Combining dutasteride or finasteride with an α1 blocker is more effective for managing BPH than using either alone.
January 2012 in “Курский научно-практический вестник "Человек и его здоровье"” 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can effectively treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
These medications for BPH have known risks and may have new side effects.
May 2021 in “The FASEB Journal” The research gives new understanding on how human steroid 5α-reductases work and how drugs like finasteride inhibit them, which could help in creating new drugs.
22 citations
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May 2003 in “Planta Medica” Torilin from Torilis japonica can inhibit testosterone 5α-reductase but is less effective than finasteride.
2 citations
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December 2021 in “International Journal of Andrology” Most legal cases about 5α-reductase inhibitors, drugs for hair loss and prostate issues, complain about side effects and delayed cancer diagnosis, with most lawsuits settled out of court.
January 2026 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors do not increase osteoporosis risk in women with certain hair loss conditions.
7 citations
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August 1996 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” January 2005 in “Urologia Journal” 5αR inhibitors help slow early prostate cancer cell growth, suggesting combined treatments are needed.
93 citations
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September 2014 in “Diabetes” Lack of 5α-Reductase type 1 can lead to insulin resistance and liver problems.
1 citations
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March 2022 in “British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology” 5α-reductase inhibitors do not increase anaemia risk compared to α-blockers in men with BPH.
1 citations
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November 2024 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” 4 citations
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September 2022 in “Experimental and Сlinical Urology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors help with benign prostatic hyperplasia but don't cure it, and more research is needed.
September 2024 in “Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology” 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may help protect the brain and gut in Parkinson's disease.