MSI_000057132

Finasteride is only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. Finasteride is an androgen antagonist. It is an orally active testosterone 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. Finasteride is one of the currently available pharmacologic treatment modalities with proven efficacy for treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The mechanism of action has not been fully determined, but finasteride has shown to decrease scalp DHT concentration to the levels found in hairy scalp, reduce serum DHT, increase hair regrowth, and slow hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern hair loss, affects approximately 50\\% of the male population. AGA is an androgen-related condition in genetically predisposed individuals. There is no treatment to completely reverse AGA in advanced stages, but with medical treatment (e.g. finasteride), the progression can be arrested and partly reversed in the majority of patients who have mild to moderate AGA. Finasteride is also used as a surgical alternative for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (PubChem). The mechanism of action of finasteride is based on its preferential inhibition of type II 5alpha-reductase through the formation of a stable complex with the enzyme. Inhibition of type II 5alpha-reductase blocks the peripheral conversion of testosterone to DHT (resulting in significant decreases in serum and tissue DHT concentrations), minimal to moderate increase in serum testosterone concentrations, and substantial increases in prostatic testosterone concentrations. As DHT appears to be the principal androgen responsible for stimulation of prostatic growth, a decrease in DHT concentrations will result in a decrease in prostatic volume (approximately 20-30\\% after 6-24 months of continued therapy). Finasteride may increase the sensitivity of prostate specific antigen to detect prostate cancer. At present, finasteride remains the only intervention shown in long-term prospective phase III clinical trials to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer (PMID: 18044109, 17543725, 17414641, 17415094, 17394699). Finasteride is an androgen antagonist. Finasteride is one of the currently available pharmacologic treatment modalities with proven efficacy for treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern hair loss, affects approximately 50\\% of the male population. AGA is an androgen-related condition in genetically predisposed individuals. There is no treatment to completely reverse AGA in advanced stages, but with medical treatment (e.g., finasteride), the progression can be arrested and partly reversed in the majority of patients who have mild to moderate AGA. Finasteride may increase the sensitivity of prostate specific antigen to detect prostate cancer. At present, finasteride remains the only intervention shown in long-term prospective phase III clinical trials to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. (PMID: 18044109, 17543725, 17414641, 17415094, 17394699) [HMDB] G - Genito urinary system and sex hormones > G04 - Urologicals > G04C - Drugs used in benign prostatic hypertrophy > G04CB - Testosterone-5-alpha reductase inhibitors D006730 - Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists > D006727 - Hormone Antagonists > D065088 - Steroid Synthesis Inhibitors D004791 - Enzyme Inhibitors > D065088 - Steroid Synthesis Inhibitors > D058891 - 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors C147908 - Hormone Therapy Agent > C547 - Hormone Antagonist > C242 - Anti-Androgen D000089162 - Genitourinary Agents > D064804 - Urological Agents C471 - Enzyme Inhibitor > C2319 - 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor C1892 - Chemopreventive Agent D - Dermatologicals