DTB Select: 8 | August 2017
Downloaded from http://dtb.bmj.com/ on October 11, 2017 - Published by group.bmj.com
updated to reflect this. Depression is already listed in the product information for finasteride 5mg as a possible adverse reaction, and this information is also being updated in light of a recent review. Healthcare professionals are reminded that adverse reactions related to sexual function have been reported in association with finasteride. These include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders. Suspected adverse reactions should be reported to the MHRA via the Yellow Card Scheme (https:// yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/). Healthcare professionals are advised to tell patients to stop finasteride 1mg immediately if they develop depression and inform a healthcare professional. Comment: It is important that healthcare professionals who are prescribing or dispensing finasteride are aware of the risks associated with the use of finasteride. 1. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Finasteride: rare reports of depression and suicidal thoughts Drug Safety Update, 2017; 10 (10): 1 [online]. Available: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/ finasteride-rare-reports-of-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts [Accessed 19 July 2017]. 2. Propecia 1mg tablets. Summary of product characteristics, UK. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, July 2015. 3. Proscar 5mg film-coated tablets. Summary of product characteristics, UK. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, October 2013. 4. NHS Digital, 2017. Prescription cost analysis England 2016 [online]. Available: http://www.content.digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB23631/pres-cost-anal-eng2016-rep.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2017].
DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2017.8.0509
Finasteride drug safety alert The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a safety alert after receiving reports of depression and, in rare cases, suicidal thoughts in men taking finasteride 1mg.1 The MHRA has also reminded healthcare professionals that depression is also associated with finasteride 5mg. Finasteride is a 5α-reductase-type-2 inhibitor. The 1mg dose is licensed for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) but is not available on the NHS and can only be prescribed privately.1,2 The 5mg dose is licensed for the treatment and control of benign prostatic hyperplasia.3 In England in 2016, more than 3.1 million prescriptions for finasteride 5mg were dispensed.4 Men, with and without a history of depression, have reported episodes of depressive illness and suicidal thoughts while using 1mg finasteride for male pattern hair loss.1 While depressed mood has been previously recognised with finasteride 1mg, a recent review of the evidence has suggested that more significant depression can occur, and the advice is now being
dtb.bmj.com
Vol 55 | No 8 | August 2017 | DTB |
87
Downloaded from http://dtb.bmj.com/ on October 11, 2017 - Published by group.bmj.com
Finasteride drug safety alert
DTB 2017 55: 87 originally published online August 2, 2017
doi: 10.1136/dtb.2017.8.0509 Updated information and services can be found at: http://dtb.bmj.com/content/55/8/87.1
These include:
References Email alerting service
This article cites 1 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at: http://dtb.bmj.com/content/55/8/87.1#BIBL Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
Downloaded from http://dtb.bmj.com/ on October 11, 2017 - Published by group.bmj.com
updated to reflect this. Depression is already listed in the product information for finasteride 5mg as a possible adverse reaction, and this information is also being updated in light of a recent review. Healthcare professionals are reminded that adverse reactions related to sexual function have been reported in association with finasteride. These include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders. Suspected adverse reactions should be reported to the MHRA via the Yellow Card Scheme (https:// yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/). Healthcare professionals are advised to tell patients to stop finasteride 1mg immediately if they develop depression and inform a healthcare professional. Comment: It is important that healthcare professionals who are prescribing or dispensing finasteride are aware of the risks associated with the use of finasteride. 1. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Finasteride: rare reports of depression and suicidal thoughts Drug Safety Update, 2017; 10 (10): 1 [online]. Available: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/ finasteride-rare-reports-of-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts [Accessed 19 July 2017]. 2. Propecia 1mg tablets. Summary of product characteristics, UK. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, July 2015. 3. Proscar 5mg film-coated tablets. Summary of product characteristics, UK. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, October 2013. 4. NHS Digital, 2017. Prescription cost analysis England 2016 [online]. Available: http://www.content.digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB23631/pres-cost-anal-eng2016-rep.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2017].
DOI: 10.1136/dtb.2017.8.0509
Finasteride drug safety alert The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a safety alert after receiving reports of depression and, in rare cases, suicidal thoughts in men taking finasteride 1mg.1 The MHRA has also reminded healthcare professionals that depression is also associated with finasteride 5mg. Finasteride is a 5α-reductase-type-2 inhibitor. The 1mg dose is licensed for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) but is not available on the NHS and can only be prescribed privately.1,2 The 5mg dose is licensed for the treatment and control of benign prostatic hyperplasia.3 In England in 2016, more than 3.1 million prescriptions for finasteride 5mg were dispensed.4 Men, with and without a history of depression, have reported episodes of depressive illness and suicidal thoughts while using 1mg finasteride for male pattern hair loss.1 While depressed mood has been previously recognised with finasteride 1mg, a recent review of the evidence has suggested that more significant depression can occur, and the advice is now being
dtb.bmj.com
Vol 55 | No 8 | August 2017 | DTB |
87
Downloaded from http://dtb.bmj.com/ on October 11, 2017 - Published by group.bmj.com
Finasteride drug safety alert
DTB 2017 55: 87 originally published online August 2, 2017
doi: 10.1136/dtb.2017.8.0509 Updated information and services can be found at: http://dtb.bmj.com/content/55/8/87.1
These include:
References Email alerting service
This article cites 1 articles, 0 of which you can access for free at: http://dtb.bmj.com/content/55/8/87.1#BIBL Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
