October 2010 in “Journal of Men's Health” Some patients may experience lasting sexual dysfunction, depression, and other side effects from 5α-reductase inhibitor therapy.
May 2024 in “Reactions weekly” Finasteride may cause depression and affect brain and gut health in male rats.
March 2020 in “European Journal of Pediatric Dermatology” Isotretinoin can cause gynecomastia by lowering testosterone levels.
September 2025 in “Reactions Weekly”
February 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Using hair loss drugs finasteride and dutasteride may cause sexual side effects.
66 citations
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April 2017 in “International Journal of Andrology” Men taking 5α-reductase inhibitors for enlarged prostate have a higher chance of experiencing reduced sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
May 2024 in “Reactions weekly”
1 citations
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November 2023 in “Brain and behavior” Spironolactone improved cognitive performance and early sleep quality but not manic symptoms, appetite, or body weight in bipolar disorder when added to sodium valproate.
July 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” May 2017 in “Psychiatric news” BPH medications may increase the risk of self-harm and depression, especially in the first 18 months.
6 citations
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April 2015 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride worsens stress effects on sensory processes, possibly linking to anxiety/depression.
January 2012 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” October 2025 in “CRC Press eBooks”
58 citations
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April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.
September 2025 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Finasteride may increase depression and suicide risks, needing better safety checks and informed consent.
December 2025 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Finasteride is not proven to cause depression or suicide, and careful patient monitoring is advised.
November 2020 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride use linked to increased suicidality in patients under 45.
5 citations
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May 2011 in “Movement Disorders” Finasteride significantly reduced tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Tourette syndrome patients.
December 2025 in “The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry” Finasteride can cause depression and suicidal thoughts; safer alternatives are recommended.
17 citations
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April 2006 in “Brain Research” 5α-reduced neurosteroids may help regulate glial cell differentiation.
2 citations
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February 2016 in “Irish journal of psychological medicine” Mirtazapine may cause hair loss and change hair color, but stopping the drug can reverse these effects.
2 citations
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November 2021 in “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology” Finasteride may affect mood and increase suicidal risk.
May 2024 in “News Digital Object Group”
19 citations
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March 2019 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride use can cause depression-like behavior in male rats.
2 citations
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February 2023 in “BJUI” Urologists should monitor mental health in patients taking finasteride due to potential links to suicidal thoughts, adjusting dosage or stopping use if necessary. More research is needed to confirm if finasteride causes these thoughts.
March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Oral spironolactone and isotretinoin are effective for treating acne.
39 citations
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May 2011 in “Movement Disorders” Finasteride may help reduce symptoms in male Tourette syndrome patients.