The Adverse Effects Of Finasteride

Finasteride is the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor which inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone and markedly suppresses the serum dihydrotestosterone level. It is usually used for treatment of hair loss in men and symptomatic benign prostatic hypoplasia (BPH). For male pattern baldness recommended dose is 1 mg once daily.14 This medication is not approved to use in women as it has risk of feminization of male fetus. In addition, it also contraindicated in pregnant women. The adverse effect of finasteride that are commonly reported is impaired sexual function and loss of libido. Other less common side effect such as depression, gynecomastia, testicular pain and hypersensitivity reaction also appear, however, the evidence
is limited. 12