December 9 2009, 2:31 pm PT | Posted in: Drugs
Hey doc, I found this interesting study on the web: Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study
and I was wondering if you can comment on whether or not Finasteride can induce depression?
I have heard previous studies that show this risk and report depression in some patients taking finasteride, but no one really knows if it is a direct relationship. This is a difficult assessment, as some of our patients may be depressed at the time they start treating their balding so then it’s a chicken-or-egg scenario, where one is left wondering which came first. Those that are losing their hair might have feelings of depression because of it.The good news is that this problem is rare and this drug is totally elective. Not taking it will just mean risks of progressive balding will become more likely without the drug, but it isn’t a lifesaving medication.
I try to get to know our patients and by getting into their head, I may understand who they are more than many doctors who just write a prescription.
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Balding Forum
I found that reply highly inadequate. It seems Rassman, as valuable a resource as he is, can say nothing bad about Propecia (or Merck or the FDA). The sensible reaction to a study that shows a statistical difference in depressive symptoms among finasteride consumers ought to be a warning to depression sufferers. I find it peculiar for a man with a scientific background to (rightly) show severe skepticism toward alternative approaches to hair loss, but to conspicuously lack such skepticism about a drug whose only safety guarantee comes from a manufacturer-funded study from a corporation that has been shown to suffer from sponsorship bias. It’s unfortunate. More could be said beyond “this problem is rare [evidence?] and this drug is totally elective.” It’s the equivalent of, You don’t like it? Don’t take it! That option is obvious. Dr. Rassman should instead state the plain truth: The health consequences of long-term finasteride use (including irreversible biological changes) are uncertain, because that cannot be established by such minimal clinical study, and therefore taking the drug is a gamble.
shouldn’t be surprising. most doctors are whores to the drug/pharmaceutical industry. why should he be different.
Seems logical. Same thing with accutane. People suffering from hair loss or severe acne are obviously much more likely to be depressed; nothing to do with the drugs.