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A new study has shown that 5a-reductase inhibitors, commonly used to treat urinary problems in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and found in popular medications to treat hair loss, can produce, persistent erectile dysfunction (ED), depression and loss of libido, even after the medication has been discontinued.

Researchers, led by Abdulmaged M. Traish, of Boston University School of Medicine, examined data reported in various clinical studies from the available literature concerning the side effects of the 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, finasteride and dutasteride.

Prolonged adverse side effects on sexual function, such as ED, depression and diminished libido, were reported by a subset of men. Drug-related reduction in libido occurred in 4.2 pc and 1.8 pc of patients in the dutasteride and placebo groups, respectively. Reduced ejaculation and semen volume were also reported and in some patients, these drugs were associated with depression.

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Categories: Dutasteride, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatment, Propecia

Avodart/Dutasteride is very similar to Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia. They both help reduce the amount of the male hormone, DHT, in the scalp area. However, Avodart/Dutasteride inhibits the activities of two types of 5-alpha-reductase enzymes. In contrast, Propecia (Finasteride) only inhibits one type. This makes Avodart/Dutasteride a supposedly more powerful and faster-acting weapon against hair loss than Finasteride.

Avodart V's Propecia: DHT hormone suppression

Effectiveness of Acodart/Dutasteride has been evaluated at different daily dosages, ranging from 0.5mg to 2.5mg and 5.0mg per day.

At a daily dosage of 2.5mg or 5.0mg, Avodart/Dutasteride suppresses close to 100% of DHT. This compares favourably with 5.0mg daily dosage of Propecia (Finasteride) which suppresses only 70% of DHT.

However Avodart/Dutasteride is very effective at small doses. At a daily dose of 0.5mg, DHT inhibition is close to 90%. Also, the level of DHT suppression is not significantly greater between 2.5mg and 5.0 mg.

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Categories: Dutasteride, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatment, Propecia

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), in collaboration with colleagues at Lahey Clinic and from Denmark and Germany, have found that 5a-reductase inhibitors (5a-RIs), while improving urinary symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and possible hair loss prevention, produces significant adverse effects in some individuals including loss of libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction and potential depression.

These findings, which currently appear on-line in Journal of Sexual Medicine, suggest that extreme caution should be exercised prior to prescribing 5a-RIs therapy to patients for hair growth or for BPH symptoms.

5a-RIs, finasteride (Propecia™) and dutasteride, have been approved for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms, due to BPH, with marked clinical efficacy. Finasteride is also approved for treatment of hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Although the adverse side effects of these agents are thought to be minimal, the magnitude of adverse effects on sexual function, gynecomastia, depression, and quality of life remains ill-defined.

In order to determine the potential extent of this problem, the researchers examined the data reported in various clinical studies concerning the side effects of finasteride and dutasteride. After a review of the literature the researchers found that in a subset of men, prolonged adverse effects on sexual function such as erectile dysfunction and diminished libido were reported, raising the possibility of a causal relationship.

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Categories: Baldness, Dutasteride, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatment, Propecia

CONTEXT:

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of alopecia in men.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy for patients with androgenetic alopecia.

DATA SOURCES:

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Registers, and LILACS were searched for randomized controlled trials reported in any language that evaluated the efficacy and safety of finasteride therapy in comparison to treatment with placebo in adults with androgenetic alopecia.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Two reviewers independently evaluated eligibility and collected the data, including assessment of methodological quality (Jadad score). Outcome measures included patient self-assessment, hair count, investigator clinical assessment, global photographic assessment, and adverse effects at short term (≤12 months) and long term (≥24 months). Heterogeneity was explored by testing a priori hypotheses.

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Categories: Alopecia, Baldness, Dutasteride, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatment, Propecia

The widely used baldness drug finasteride (Propecia) indeed boosts hair growth in men, but some may develop sexual problems, according to a new analysis.

A review of recent research found that men with the most common form of baldness who took finasteride are more likely to experience an increase in hair count, and say they believe their hair is thicker. But approximately 1 in 80 also experience erectile dysfunction, according to the analysis published in the Archives of Dermatology.

However, men with sexual side effects were not more likely to stop taking the drug. "It seems that most men taking this drug really prefer to have hair," study author Dr. José Manuel Mella of the Hospital Alemán in Buenos Aires told Reuters Health.

Up to half of men will experience pattern hair loss - known clinically as androgenetic alopecia - by the age of 50. Finasteride works by blocking an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for hair loss.

Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of finasteride, which costs about $50 per month for a brand-name pill but less for a generic version. However, questions have remained over its potential side effects.

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Categories: Baldness, Dutasteride, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatment, Propecia, Regaine, Rogaine

The popular hair growth drug finasteride, commercially known as Propecia, is indeed effective at re-growing hair, but it may lead to sexual dysfunction in some users.

Many men suffering from baldness who have taken the drug satisfactorily report it increases their hair count and makes their hair thicker. But a new study shows that 1 in 80 of those men has also experienced erectile dysfunction, a known potential side effect.

The study, conducted by researchers at Hospital Aleman in Buenos Aires and published in the Archives of Dermatology, involved the analysis of a dozen studies on the drug involving nearly 4,000 men.

The good news? Most men who take finasteride experience a 30 percent improvement in hair growth in two years. The bad news is that thick head of hair might also be accompanied by some new problems in the bedroom.

Interestingly enough, most men experiencing sexual side effects were not inclined to stop taking the drug, showing men's definite preference for a full head of hair over high performance between the sheets.

Dr. Patricia Farris, a board-certified dermatologist in Metairie, La., told AOL Health she prescribes finasteride to male patients experiencing hair loss and has occasionally seen a patient experience sexual side effects.

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Categories: Baldness, Dutasteride, Hair Care, Hair Loss, Hair Loss Treatment, Propecia