Abstract
Finasteride (1 mg/day) is widely utilized by dermatologists for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Although enjoying a relatively good safety profile, several sex-related adverse effects have been reported with this drug. Here we report two cases of gynecomastia, one of them bilateral, caused by Propecia® prescribed for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Although relatively rare, physicians should be aware of this side effect and inform their patients when prescribing this medication.
Highlights
F inasteride, 1 mg/day (Propecia®; MSD), a type-II5α-reductase (5α-R) inhibitor, is the only approved treatment prescribed at present for androgenetic alopecia. [1] Finasteride 5 mg is another alternative, but usually sold off-label, and recently dutasteride, a dual 5α-R inhibitor, was reported as a potential and more effective alternative. [2] Propecia ® is marketed internationally as a drug with almost no side effects, and physicians routinely avoid discussion of its uncommon potential side effects
A 21-year-old male, with androgenetic alopecia, generally healthy except for hypothyroidism treated with μg/d
Gynecomastia is a recognized side effect of a variety of conditions that lead to hormonal imbalance.[5]
Summary
F inasteride, 1 mg/day (Propecia®; MSD), a type-II5α-reductase (5α-R) inhibitor, is the only approved treatment prescribed at present for androgenetic alopecia. [1] Finasteride 5 mg is another alternative, but usually sold off-label, and recently dutasteride, a dual 5α-R inhibitor, was reported as a potential and more effective alternative. [2] Propecia ® is marketed internationally as a drug with almost no side effects, and physicians routinely avoid discussion of its uncommon potential side effects. [1] Finasteride 5 mg is another alternative, but usually sold off-label, and recently dutasteride, a dual 5α-R inhibitor, was reported as a potential and more effective alternative.
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