Finasteride
Antiandrogen medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Finasteride, sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia among others, is a medication used to treat pattern hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men.[6] It can also be used to treat excessive hair growth in women.[7][8] It is usually taken orally but there are topical formulations for patients with hair loss, designed to minimize systemic exposure by acting specifically on hair follicles.[9]
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Trade names | Proscar, Propecia, Finide, others |
Other names | MK-906; YM-152; L-652,931; 17β-(N-tert-Butylcarbamoyl)-4-aza-5α-androst-1-en-3-one; N-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-3-oxo-4-aza-5α-androst-1-ene-17β-carboxamide |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a698016 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | 5α-Reductase inhibitor |
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Bioavailability | 65%[5] |
Protein binding | 90%[5] |
Metabolism | Liver (CYP3A4, ALDH)[5] |
Elimination half-life | Adults: 5–6 hours[5] Elderly: >8 hours[5] |
Excretion | Feces: 57%[5] Urine: 40%[5] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.149.445 |
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Formula | C23H36N2O2 |
Molar mass | 372.553 g·mol−1 |
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Finasteride is a 5α-reductase inhibitor and therefore an antiandrogen.[10] It works by decreasing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by about 70%.[6]
In addition to DHT, finasteride also inhibits the production of several anticonvulsant neurosteroids including allopregnanolone, androstanediol, and THDOC.[11]
Adverse effects from finasteride are rare;[12] however, some men experience sexual dysfunction, depression, and breast enlargement.[13][14] In some men, sexual dysfunction may persist after stopping the medication.[15][16] It may also hide the early symptoms of certain forms of prostate cancer.[14]
Finasteride was patented in 1984 and approved for medical use in 1992.[17] It is available as a generic medication.[18] In 2021, it was the 88th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.[19][20]