April 2017 in “Reactions Weekly” Man experienced sexual dysfunction, depression, breast growth, and skin discoloration after taking finasteride for hair loss.
January 2016 in “Medicinski Podmladak” Finasteride may increase anxiety in bright spaces.
50 citations
,
May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility” Flutamide reduces hair growth better but has more side effects.
2 citations
,
September 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Sodium valproate can worsen psoriasis-like skin conditions.
6 citations
,
March 1986 in “PubMed” Valproic acid can cause weight gain and hair texture changes.
February 2025 in “Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research”
October 2025 in “Reactions Weekly” Finasteride and dutasteride may cause depression and suicidal thoughts.
46 citations
,
May 2011 in “Movement Disorders” Finasteride reduces Tourette syndrome symptoms, but results may be limited due to potential biases.
1 citations
,
March 2009 in “The Journal of Urology” Combination therapy with fesoterodine and doxazosin improves bladder function and delays BPH progression.
6 citations
,
May 2013 in “Journal of Clinical Oncology” Combining Ficlatuzumab and Gefitinib can cause severe hair loss.
6 citations
,
April 2015 in “Behavioural Brain Research” Finasteride worsens stress effects on sensory processes, possibly linking to anxiety/depression.
223 citations
,
December 2010 in “The Journal of Sexual Medicine” Some patients taking finasteride or dutasteride may have ongoing sexual problems and depression even after stopping the medication.
January 2024 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual” Lymecycline may help with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia but needs more research.
January 2018 in “Digital Commons - PCOM (Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine)” Topical eflornithine effectively reduces unwanted facial hair in women with hirsutism for at least 6 months.
April 2008 in “Sexologies” Knowing about potential side effects can make them more likely to happen.
2 citations
,
July 2018 in “Journal of pediatric epilepsy” A teenager lost hair after starting epilepsy medication levetiracetam.
14 citations
,
January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders” Simvastatin/ezetimibe did not effectively treat severe alopecia areata and caused side effects in some patients.
April 2015 in “Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature”
61 citations
,
April 2014 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Finasteride affects brain and blood steroids, causing lasting sexual and emotional side effects.
35 citations
,
June 2018 in “Urology” The review suggests younger men taking 1 mg finasteride report more side effects, including sexual, skin, metabolic, and psychological issues.
9 citations
,
April 2020 in “The Journal of Urology” 5α-Reductase inhibitors don't cause depression.
Finasteride may cause depression and affect brain and gut health in male rats.
7 citations
,
October 2009 in “Journal of the American Geriatrics Society” Finasteride may help reduce inappropriate sexual behaviors in dementia patients with prostate issues.
115 citations
,
January 2001 in “American journal of clinical dermatology” Eflornithine cream effectively reduces women's unwanted facial hair but hair returns if treatment stops.
June 2019 in “Reactions Weekly”
7 citations
,
May 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Finasteride helps treat frontal fibrosing alopecia, improving or stabilizing the condition in many patients.
1 citations
,
March 2020 in “Journal of Pharmacological Sciences” Benzothiazepines like diltiazem reduce anxiety in mice by making neurosteroids.
4 citations
,
July 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Finasteride helps hair growth but may cause sexual side effects and depression.
September 2018 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Finasteride at 2.5mg/day may help postmenopausal women with hair loss.
3 citations
,
April 1977 in “PubMed” The treatment improved acne, seborrhoea, and hirsutism, with some side effects like spotting and nervousness.