December 2023 in “Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews” The document suggests using trazodone and clomiphene to treat sexual dysfunction caused by post-finasteride syndrome.
December 2025 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Finasteride is not proven to cause depression or suicide, and careful patient monitoring is advised.
19 citations
,
March 2019 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride use can cause depression-like behavior in male rats.
33 citations
,
January 2016 in “Skin appendage disorders” The document concludes that sexual and psychiatric side effects from 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are reported, but more high-quality research is needed to understand how often they occur.
24 citations
,
May 2015 in “Schizophrenia Research” A drug improved schizophrenia-like symptoms in stressed rats by changing brain steroid levels.
January 2007 in “Edward Elgar eBooks” TSPO might help treat anxiety and depression.
October 2025 in “Reactions Weekly”
May 2025 in “Psychopharmacology” Chronic finasteride use in male rats doesn't strongly cause depression or anxiety due to adaptive stress hormone changes.
February 2026 in “Toxicology Letters” MK-0773 is a moderate inhibitor of the SRD5A2 enzyme.
4 citations
,
May 2019 in “The World Journal of Men's Health” Taking 5 alpha reductase inhibitor medication slightly increases the risk of depression, especially as you get older.
41 citations
,
March 2017 in “PLoS neglected tropical diseases” Isotretinoin shows promise as a treatment for Chagas disease by effectively inhibiting key transporters in the parasite.
April 2024 in “Journal of psychiatric research” Short-term finasteride use in male rats caused anxiety, depression, and memory problems.
2 citations
,
March 2016 in “Düşünen Adam” Switching from escitalopram to duloxetine improved hair loss.
5-Alpha reductase inhibitors help treat enlarged prostate but may cause sexual side effects.
37 citations
,
September 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Finasteride treatment in male rats causes long-lasting effects on depression-like behavior, brain cell growth, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition.
1 citations
,
March 2020 in “Journal of Pharmacological Sciences” Benzothiazepines like diltiazem reduce anxiety in mice by making neurosteroids.
8 citations
,
April 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Finasteride reduces opioid use and withdrawal symptoms in animals.
October 2016 in “Letters in Drug Design & Discovery” January 2005 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Finasteride may affect brain chemistry and behavior, offering potential for treating certain mental health conditions.
1 citations
,
August 2015 in “Current Sexual Health Reports” 5α-reductase inhibitors can cause serious and possibly lasting sexual and psychological side effects.
19 citations
,
July 2023 in “Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews” Endogenous neurosteroids may set a baseline mood.
14 citations
,
June 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” 2 citations
,
July 2019 in “Digital Showcase Research, Scholarship, & Creative Works (University of Lynchburg)” No proven link between isotretinoin and depression.
May 2026 in “RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar - ISSN 2675-6218” Post-Finasteride Syndrome causes lasting sexual, mood, and metabolic issues, needing personalized treatment and better informed consent.
July 2025 in “American Journal on Addictions” Using 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may lower the risk of opioid addiction in men taking opioids.
April 2026 in “Brain Sciences” Finasteride may cause depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in young men.
60 citations
,
June 2007 in “Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior” Blocking progesterone metabolism can cause depression-like behavior in mice.
11 citations
,
November 2011 in “Neuroreport” Paroxetine relieves pain by increasing allopregnanolone levels.
June 1993 in “Current opinion in therapeutic patents” Hexahydrobenzo[f]quinolines are effective at blocking the enzyme 5α-reductase.
52 citations
,
February 2006 in “Current pharmaceutical design” 5α-reductase inhibitors and alpha-1 adrenergic antagonists together effectively treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, with long-term benefits.