Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-2017
Journal Title
Farmacia
Volume
65
Issue
5
Abstract
Finasteride has been used extensively until now as a relative efficient therapeutic option for male androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Unfortunately, over time several concerns appeared regarding the frequency and magnitude of adverse effects, which in some cases have been even irreversible. Herein we review the recent literature on this topic, trying to clarify the current safety profile of Finasteride for these two therapeutic indications. We concluded that Finasteride could be retained as a therapeutic approach for male androgenic alopecia, based on two important reasons. First, a synergistic action between a partial inhibitor of 5α-reductase (Finasteride) and another compound (like Minoxidil) are preferable to a complete suppression of 5α-reductase (see Dutasteride), in order to preserve the important physiological roles of dihydrotestosterone. Second, Finasteride side effects can currently be addressed in part prior to the onset of the therapy, by using information about the patient such as hand preference and sexual orientation to predict the risk of adverse effects.
Recommended Citation
Motofei, Ion G.; Rowland, David L.; Baconi, Daniela L.; Georgescu, Simona R.; Paunica, Stana; Constantin, Vlad D.; Balalau, Denisa; Paunica, Ioana; Balalau, Cristian; Baston, Catalin; and Sinescu, Ioanel, "Therapeutic Considerations Related to Finasteride Administration in Male Androgenic Alopecia and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" (2017). Psychology Faculty Publications. 55.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/psych_fac_pub/55
