The Journal of Sexual Medicine

Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could

They Be Permanent?

July 12, 2012. Michael S. Irwig MD

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Finasteride has been associated with sexual side effects that may persist despite discontinuation of the medication. In a clinical series, 20% of subjects with male pattern hair loss reported persistent sexual dysfunction for ≥6 years, suggesting the possibility that the dysfunction may be permanent. These subjects also reported a wide range of symptoms including changes in cognition, ejaculate quality, and genital sensation. Other medications have been associated with irreversible neurological effects, such as phenothiazines with tardive dyskinesias.

Aim. To prospectively study whether the persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride resolve or endure over time.

Methods. Subjects (N = 54) with persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride were reassessed after 9–16 months (mean 14 months). All subjects were otherwise healthy young men without any baseline sexual dysfunction, medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, or use of oral prescription medications prior to taking finasteride for male pattern hair loss.

Main Outcome Measure. Scores from the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX).

Results. The participation rate was 81%. At reassessment persistent sexual side effects continued to be present in 96% of subjects. According to the ASEX scores, 89% of subjects met the definition of sexual dysfunction. Neither the length of finasteride use nor the duration of the sexual side effects correlated to changes in scores of sexual dysfunction.

Conclusion. In most men who developed persistent sexual side effects (≥3 months) despite the discontinuation of finasteride, the sexual dysfunction continued for many months or years. Although several rat studies have shown detrimental changes to erectile function caused by 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, the persistent nature of these changes is an area of active research. Prescribers of finasteride and men contemplating its use should be made aware of the potential adverse medication effects.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02846.x/abstract

Gli effetti collaterali della finasteride potrebbero essere permanenti?

Questo si chiede il prof. Irwig in questo suo nuovo studio sugli effetti nocivi della finasteride.

Le sue conclusioni: nella maggior parte degli uomini che hanno sviluppato effetti collaterali persistenti sulla sfera sessuale (≥ 3 mesi nonostante l'interruzione della finasteride) questi effetti continuano a persistere per molti mesi o anni.

Anche se numerosi studi effettuati su ratti hanno già mostrato alterazioni negative alla funzione erettile causata dall'inibizione della 5 alfa reduttasi, la natura persistente di questi cambiamenti è tutt'ora un'area di ricerca attiva.

Questo studio ha fornito lo spunto per un rinnovato interesse da parte dei media

Propecia Problems: Baldness Drug Linked with Long-Lasting Sexual Side Effects

http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/12/propecia-problems-baldness-drug-linked-with-long-lasting-sexual-side-effects/#ixzz20V0wc3Rk

For Some Men, Propecia's Sexual Side Effects May Be Long-lasting

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/baldness-drug-propecia-long-lasting-possibly-permanent-

sexual/story?id=16758123#.T_7qMvXrB7Q

E' interessante notare che molti quotidiani hanno ritenuto opportuno utilizzare l'immagine di Waine Rooney per dare maggior risalto alla notizia. E' infatti risaputo che Rooney è un utilizzatore entusiasta della molecola.