According to an Ifop survey, almost one in four French people is affected by androgenetic alopecia. A hair problem that pushes many of them to look for solutions. And as such, the 1 mg finasteride is often the preferred treatment. But beware of its side effects! In a new press release, the Medicines Agency (ANSM) alerts suicidal ideas, sexual disorders and mood swings that this medication can cause.
Finasteride, treatment under surveillance
Generally used to treat the benign hypertrophy of the prostate (when it is marketed in this form: finasteride 5 mg), finasteride has, since 1999, also proposed at the dosage of 1 mg in the early stages of androgenic alopecia in men from 18 to 41 years old. If Propecia (first trade name of the drug) is no longer marketed, finasteride still exists in generic form, and remains widely used in France. According to the summary of the characteristics of the products (RCP), the finasteride inhibits a phenomenon responsible for the miniaturization of the hair follicles of the scalp, which can thus cause a reversal of the baldness process.
But for several years now, the molecule has been the subject of many criticisms for its side effects, notably psychiatric. In this context, the ANSM seized in September 2024 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) so that the benefit/risk balance of drugs containing finasteride and those containing dutasteride (the latter belonging to the same pharmacological class as finasteride) be reassessed, in particular because it is prescribed for “A safe condition for health affecting young men “.
The “suicidal thoughts” will be notified on the finasterid boxes 1 mg
And the European agency was attentive to the warnings of the National Medicines Safety Agency:
“At the end of this re -evaluation, the Committee for the Risk Assessment of Pharmacovigilance (PRAC) of the EMA confirmed that the finasteris administered orally (1 mg and 5 mg) was well associated with a risk of suicidal ideas and recommended its addition in the section Undesirable effects for all the drugs containing finasteride”, specifies the ANSM in a press release.
The agency specifies that this medication also exposes sexual function disorders which may persist after stopping treatment.
Faced with these new elements, the laboratories will have to proceed to:
- The modification of the RCP and the notices of the drugs concerned, at the level of the side effects and/or warning effects and precautions for use;
- Adding a patient card to each 1 mg finasteride box;
- Sending a newsletter to health professionals in September 2025.
Finasteride: What conduct to adopt in case of mood swings and/or black ideas?
Dr. Yves Dour, pharmacist, confirms the reported side effects.
“”In my opinion, the suicidal ideas have been somewhat minimized, when it has been a long time since we hear about it“, he says. Now that they are recognized,”Do not hesitate to go to pharmacy if one is concerned with this adverse effect. It will then be necessary to quickly bring closer to his general practitioner to take stock “, Indicates the doctor in pharmacy.
If you are treated by Finasteride or Dutasteride, and you suffer from mental disorders (modification of mood, anxiety, signs of depression, suicidal ideas) or sexual disorders (erection, ejaculation disorders, reduction in libido …), the agency announces that this can come from your treatment. In this case :
- Talk to it as soon as possible with your doctor;
- If you are treated for alopecia, in case of mental disorders, stop your treatment;
- Make a statement of side effect.
In case of proven dark ideas, should this medication stop?
“Yes, the judgment can be made overnight, but it is important to report any adverse effect to a healthcare professional. The list of these effects is used to go up the inconvenience: this is part of the role of the pharmacist as the doctor”, concludes Dr. Yves Dour.
If these effects last over time or continue to stop treatment, it is important to update your initial declaration to complete it.
Medication guide
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Finasteride (active principle)