ReviewThe Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology2016
Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review.
Review in The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 83 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
83 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 152 citations in OpenAlex.
- Sexual dysfunction associated with 5α-reductase inhibitors in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Trial
- Oral and Topical Administration of a Standardized Saw Palmetto Oil Reduces Hair Fall and Improves the Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia Subjects - A 16-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2023Trial
- Efficacy and safety of topical finasteride spray solution for male androgenetic alopecia: a phase III, randomized, controlled clinical trial.Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · 2022Trial
- Anti-Androgenic Potential of Plant Extracts: Molecular Mechanisms, Synergistic Effects, and Nutritional Interventions.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Steroid 5α-reductases in the brain: From neurosteroidogenesis to therapeutic implications.Frontiers in neuroendocrinology · 2026Review
- Risks Associated with 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Use: Analysis of Adverse Drug Reactions Reported to EudraVigilance.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Safety and clinical considerations of alopecia therapies during pregnancy, fertility treatment, and polycystic ovary syndrome workup.International journal of women's dermatology · 2026Review
- Overview of Short Peptides for Hair Loss.Biomedicines · 2026Review
- Beyond the Follicle: A Narrative Review on How Systemic Diseases and Drugs Affect Alopecia.Pharmaceutical medicine · 2026Review
- Androgenetic Alopecia in Women: A Narrative Review of Pathophysiology, Clinical Evaluation, and Treatments.American journal of clinical dermatology · 2026Review
- Nutraceutical Effects ofNutrients · 2026Article
- Scalp microbiome in male androgenetic alopecia:Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
- Clinical Outcomes of Adding Topical Cetirizine to Minoxidil Therapy in Patients with Androgenetic Alopeci.Journal of research in pharmacy practice · 2026Article
- Th,-e mechanistic insights into the application of retinoids and possible adjunct therapeutic treatment to androgenic alopecia.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Review
- Nanotechnology-based topical treatments for androgenic alopecia.Nanomedicine (London, England) · 2025Article
- Advances in Research on Concentrated Growth Factor Applications for Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment: A Review.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2025Review
- Prostate cancer risk reduction: promising prevention practices and insights.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2025Review
- Pharmacologic properties and inhibitory activity of 6-azasteroids againstMicrobiology spectrum · 2025Article
- Development of Ethosomes for the Topical Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia: Ethanol Effect on Dutasteride Targeting to the Hair Follicles.Pharmaceutics · 2025Article
23 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Finasteride and dutasteride, both 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, are considered first-line treatment for androgenetic hair loss in men and used increasingly in women. In each case, patients are expected to take the medications indefinitely despite the lack of research regarding long-term adverse effects. Concerns regarding the adverse effects of these medications has led the United States National Institutes of Health to add a link for post-finasteride syndrome to its Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. Herein, the authors report the results of a literature search reviewing adverse events of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors as they relate to prostate cancer, psychological effects, sexual health, and use in women. Several large studies found no increase in incidence of prostate cancer, a possible increase of high-grade cancer when detected, and no change in survival rate with 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use. Currently, there is no direct link between 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use and depression; however, several small studies have led to depression being listed as a side effect on the medication packaging. Sexual effects including erectile dysfunction and decreased libido and ejaculate were reported in as many as 3.4 to 15.8 percent of men. To date, there are very few studies evaluating 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use in women. Risks include birth defects in male fetuses if used in pregnancy, decreased libido, headache, gastrointestinal discomfort, and isolated reports of changes in menstruation, acne, and dizziness. Overall, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors were well-tolerated in both men and women, but not without risk, highlighting the importance of patient education prior to treatment.
Identifiers
27672412PMC5023004W2534750020What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.