Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study

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.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).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.Many cases of drug induced depression have been reported, specially amongst patients who are more susceptible for the disease. Drugs such as corticosteroids, Interferon Alpha, Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and Calcium channel blockers are all apt to induce some depressive effects [1]. As depression and anxiety are important factors, concerning the quality of life and individuals' health [2], it is important to determine if any psychological or behavioral changes would occur with the prescription of a particular medication.Finasteride, a potent 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, has been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 1997 for treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men [3]. The largest application of finasteride consists in treating benign prostate hyperplasia which is non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland that leads to bladder out flow obstruction. In women finasteride has been used in