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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Finasteride

Genito-Urinary System and Sex Hormone Agents

Finasteride, sold under brand names including Proscar and Propecia, is a medication that works as a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor and antiandrogen. It is used mainly to treat an enlarged prostate and pattern hair loss in men, and can also treat excessive hair growth in women. The drug lowers dihydrotestosterone by about 70 percent in the bloodstream and up to 90 percent in the prostate gland. Developed by Merck, it received United States approval in 1992 for enlarged prostate and in 1997 for male pattern baldness, becoming the first 5 alpha reductase inhibitor on the market, and by 2023 it ranked among the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States.

Facts
Drug Class
5-alpha reductase inhibitor; antiandrogen 1
Mechanism of Action
Decreases production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) 1
Approved Use
Treats symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern hair loss 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1992 1
Significant Risk
Sexual dysfunction, depression and breast enlargement 1
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
G: Genito-Urinary System and Sex Hormones 2
Route of Administration
Oral 3
Sources
1. Finasteride (Wikipedia)
  • Lead section, paragraph 2, first sentence
    it is an antiandrogen
  • Lead section, paragraph 2, works-by clause
    works by decreasing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
  • Medical uses
    for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and for the treatment of male pattern hair loss
  • Lead section, paragraph 5
    approved for medical use in 1992
  • Lead section, paragraph 4
    some men experience sexual dysfunction, depression, and breast enlargement
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finasteride, lead section
    used to treat excessive hair growth in women. It is usually taken orally but there are topical formulations for patients with hair loss, designed to minimize systemic exposure by acting specifically on hair follicles.
  • Regulatory approval status
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code G
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code G
Genito-urinary system and sex hormones
View the Source
3. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
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