Finasteride - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Finasteride (propecia) is a 5α-reductase inhibitor (the enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT). The role of DHT in the body depends on the age of the patient:

Early in life: DHT is responsible for the differentiation of the penis, scrotum, and prostate
Later in life: prostate growth, balding, sebaceous gland activity

Source — Finasteride antagonizes the conversion of testosterone to DHT by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase (source)

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), androgenic alopecia

Marketing campaign advocating for the usage of finesteride in male pattern baldness. — Marketing campaign advocating for the usage of finasteride in male pattern baldness (source)

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

In females who have a known or suspected pregnancy. This medication can cause harm to the fetus. Metabolized, principally in the liver via CYP3A4.

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

Administered orally without regard to meals. Maximum reduction of DHT/maximum effect achieved 8 hours post administration.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Impotence, decreased libido, ejaculation disorder (decreased ejaculate volume), gynecomastia

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

Finasteride may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, however those who do progress to prostate cancer on finasteride may have worse disease.