Khaberni - Health experts warn that a common drug for treating male pattern baldness may increase the risk of mood disorders and suicidal thoughts, according to a report published by the New York Post.
The drug in question is finasteride, commercially known as "Propecia," which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the 1990s. Studies have indicated that patients using it face a higher risk of mood changes, with potential effects on the hippocampus in the brain, which is responsible for learning, memory, and emotions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration added depression as a potential side effect of the drug in 2011, before later including suicidal thoughts and behaviors in 2022. However, internal documents dating back to 2010 revealed that agency scientists recommended adding a warning about "suicidal thoughts and behaviors," but the administration rejected the proposal without explaining the reasons, according to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
The documents also showed that the estimates of the number of people who might be affected by the side effects were obscured and confidential, while the agency recorded 18 cases of suicide linked to finasteride by 2011, although experts believe the actual number could be much higher due to the global use of the drug.
Safe and Effective Alternatives
Conversely, there is another drug considered to be a safer alternative, which is topical minoxidil, the active ingredient in products like "Rogaine," approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating hereditary baldness in men and women.
Studies suggest that minoxidil works best in the early stages of hair loss, especially in young people, where the follicles are still active but shrinking. However, continued use is necessary to maintain the results, as the hair loss problem typically returns months after stopping the treatment.
