Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Finasteride is a competitive inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase enzyme, and is used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. Animal studies have shown that finasteride might induce behavioral changes. Additionally, some cases of finasteride-induced depression have been reported in humans. The purpose of this study was to examine whether depressive symptoms or anxiety might be induced by finasteride administration.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty eight men with androgenetic alopecia, who were prescribed finasteride (1 mg/day) were enrolled in this study. Information on depressed mood and anxiety was obtained by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants completed BDI and HADS questionnaires before beginning the treatment and also two months after it.


RESULTS
Mean age of the subjects was 25.8(+/- 4.4) years. At baseline, mean BDI and HADS depression scores were 12.11(+/- 7.50) and 4.04(+/- 2.51), respectively. Finasteride treatment increased both BDI (p < 0.001) and HADS depression scores significantly (p = 0.005). HADS anxiety scores were increased, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.061).


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study suggests that finasteride might induce depressive symptoms; therefore this medication should be prescribed cautiously for patients with high risk of depression. It seems that further studies would be necessary to determine behavioral effects of this medication in higher doses and in more susceptible patients.
Rahimi-Ardabili
Babak
B
Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ba.rahimi@gmail.com
Pourandarjani
Ramin
R
Habibollahi
Peiman
P
Mualeki
Amir
A
D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018120:Finasteride / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D018120:Finasteride