Long-Lasting Sexual Side Effects from Finasteride

Finasteride is a drug that is prescribed to slow hair loss in male pattern baldness and reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. Several months ago, urologists reported that this medication could cause persistent sexual side effects that might even be permanent. Now confirmation comes from the FDA’s adverse event reporting system that undesirable sexual side effects may persist after the drug is discontinued.
The QuarterWatch report from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices reveals that three fourths of the noted side effects for finasteride involved serious sexual difficulties. In many cases the complications appeared to persist long after the drug was stopped.
[QuarterWatch, Jan. 9, 2013]
We interviewed Dr. Michael Irwig, a urologist who has written about this problem. To hear more, listen to our show #879, Dangers in the Drugstore.