Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) Concerns over side effects ?

[Chrissty]

As I am getting to the age where my hair has started thinning, I was considering taking low dose Finasteride, which is generally available.

I had read all the possible side effects, which to most GID girls would not be of concern, but then I started finding a significant number of reports of issues with brain and speech function (and others), some of which have proved permanent. I belive there is also now a lawsuit in process in Canada on this substance.

Clearly all drugs have side effects, but I have decided that the risks are now too high for me.

I suggest any one who is using it that has unusual side effects or other concerns, might want to look for 'Propecia Help' on the web.

Take Care 

Chrissty

[iminadaze]

Chrissty

I have Been reading  up on Nizoral shampoo's effects on blocking DHT and from what I gather when used regularly It is capable of blocking DHT effects on the scalp. Here in the U.S it is available as a dandruff control shampoo, not so sure elsewhere.

Just thought it could be an alternative to you and others who don't want to take finasteride and/or are not on antiandrogens.


Nicole 

[Chrissty]

Thanks Nicole,

I'll take a look...

You must be gettin close to having enough material for a book on this subject by now, with all that research..

Still.... it's nice to have you back around the forum this last month or so..



Chrissty

[gilded]

Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar)

Is (are they) that the same as Dutasteride ( Duprost, Dutas, Dutagen) ?

G'gurl

[taru]

Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar)

Is (are they) that the same as Dutasteride ( Duprost, Dutas, Dutagen) ?

G'gurl

Finasteride and dutasteride are different. But the hypothetic depression is the same for both of them - if not worse for dutasteride.

[paulault55]

I'm going to try not to get the moderators mad at me. Just a little info on Finasteride and Dutas.
                   
Finasteride comes in two strengths one for prostrate cancer and one for hair loss.

Procar and Fincar are for Prostrate cancer and are high strength.

Propecia and Finpecia are lower strength and are prescribed for hair loss

all of the above inhibit type II DHT


Dutas and Dusteride are generic Avodart that inhibits both type I and type II DHT and is used to treat high BPH. There are no studies that i know as to the long term use.

Paula.

[JENNIFER]

My psych at the gender clinic offered me Finasteride for my significant hair loss in the hope it might gererate some regrowth, this whilst awaiting full strength HRT to begin. Mindful of the rules re: mentioning specific dosages, I am on the same dose as is usually offered to patients with BPH.

Side effects?  As a GID patient, I am delighted with most of the side effects and report NO depression. Sleep disturbance I could do without and I am told that one needs to wait up to a year to see any change on the scalp so I have most of this year to wait although I am hopeful that Zoladex and oestrogens working in tandem will help things along.

I have one complaint though, the packaging clearly says 'FOR USE IN MEN ONLY', just a little embarrassing when collecting the prescription from the pharmacy

[Suzy]

I have had no problems with unwanted side effects from Finasteride.  "Officially" I was prescribed it for BPH.  This way my insurance covers it.  The process is slow for hair regrowth, but after just over a year, people have really begun to notice.  It is most effective at the top of the head, rather than around your front hairline. 

Best of luck,

Kristi

[Chrissty]

I'm pleased no one is suffering from the effects I have been reading about...

...as you say the normal side effect risks are:

     Decreased libido (sex drive)
     Erectile dysfunction
     Slight Breast enlargement
     (Weight Gain, Depression, Acne)

The ones that worried me were less well reported, but appear to also exist and can persist after stopping medication:
 
    Short term memory loss
    Speech impediments : slurring and incapacity to complete sentences
    Disphoria ~ The feeling of living in a dream like state all the time

As I have been getting reasonable hair results with "minoxidil" and was going to use low dose Finasteride generic as a suppliment, I decided the risk was not worth it for me.

The reports from the people who have suffered side effects are quite alarming. I am also wondering if there are less complication risks if you also on a course of HRT where there is a higher level of E.

Take Care



Chrissty

[paulault55]

Gee Chrissty i'm sure we wouldn't want those side effects. 

[deviousxen]

Can anyone link me to the source of where you heard of these side effects?

Cause I'm on Finasteride and I dont want it negatively contributing to my freaking depression


If that means a hundred more on Spiro, thats fine by me... I seemed to be less depressed that summer anyway.


^{edit - dosage removed}

[Suzy]

     Decreased libido (sex drive)
     Erectile dysfunction
     Breast enlargement

Oh the horrors! 

Kristi

[Chrissty]

Sorry about that...I made an accidental post before I completed typing it!

Chrissty

[JENNIFER]

I'm pleased no one is suffering from the effects I have been reading about...

...as you say the normal side effect risks are:

     Decreased libido (sex drive)
     Erectile dysfunction
     Slight Breast enlargement
     (Weight Gain, Depression, Acne)

The ones that worried me were less well reported, but appear to also exist and can persist after stopping medication:
 
    Short term memory loss
    Speech impediments : slurring and incapacity to complete sentences
    Disphoria ~ The feeling of living in a dream like state all the time

As I have been getting reasonable hair results with "minoxidil" and was going to use low dose Finasteride generic as a suppliment, I decided the risk was not worth it for me.

The reports from the people who have suffered side effects are quite alarming. I am also wondering if there are less complication risks if you also on a course of HRT where there is a higher level of E.

Take Care



Chrissty

RE: Side effects.......I have noticed a further increase in breast size above what was already there and
                           I can feel it happening.

                            Testicular 'pain', rather more of an ache with an edge to it

                             Sleep disturbances, this worries me most of all because my dreams have become
                            less benign, vivid but also bearing no relation to my life experiences ( I hope I am not
                            babbling here )

                             Speech impediments.....I declare a special interest because I have had 3 strokes and my
                             voice/speech has been affected due to the brain damage resulting from the medical events,
                             I cannot an impartial view on this one

                             Short term memory....Again, my age does not permit a valid opinion, I am scatty anyway.

                             Erectile disfunction/Loss of libido......As if I care at this time, no need/desire for erections and     
                             I am in no worthwhile relationship to be worried about libido

As I have previously mentioned, Finasteride was offered to me to help prevent further loss of hair and to perhaps reverse past loss whilst awaiting medical assessment re. starting full strength HRT under supervision.  The other side effect not yet mentioned is that this drug deals with a prostate problem and in my case, before such a problem occurs.  A satisfactory outcome perhaps?                             

[NicholeW.]

The meds are often prescribed in males for prostate shrinkage. And no, that cannot hurt you, Jennifer. Another side-effect, at least in reading hair-loss forums years ago when researching Avodart is that the guys complained that both effected "man-boobs." Another side-effect that I think can't hurt a woman with a transsexing history!

Guys, talk about the products and results, warnings, etc all you want. Please keep dosages in any amount off the board though. Nero cleaned up the last one so we have a clean slate. Thanks for the cooperation.

Nichole

[JENNIFER]

I recieved a private warning recently from a moderator ( my ignorance of the rules ) about publishing specific dosages and I feel the lesson has been learnt.

As for the prostate gland, I asked my psych about whether it would be removed as a redundant organ during SRS and he said that it usually remains intact due to the delicate nature of the whole operation.  If I dont need it, then I dont want it but it is for the surgeon to decide where he/she deploys the scalpel....

[deviousxen]

I'm more concerned about the psychological side effects- Boobage is a ok.


And sorry I spaced. I only mentioned dosage cause somewhere on this thread they mentioned something about the two separate regimens for A. Cancer or B. Hair loss. I just kind of was wondering where I fell and how much of a risk I'm at for the mental side effects in relation to dose. Maybe cancer peeps are on like 10 times as much finasteride for all I know.

Thats kinda why I slipped... Worrying. Prescription drugs always scare me...

[taru]

Can anyone link me to the source of where you heard of these side effects?

Cause I'm on Finasteride and I dont want it negatively contributing to my freaking depression


If that means a hundred more on Spiro, thats fine by me... I seemed to be less depressed that summer anyway.


^{edit - dosage removed}

The hypothetic depression effect comes probably from reducing the amount of allopregnanolone (a progesterone metabolite acting as a GABA-A modulator).

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1622749 has a study on it.

Then again all antiandrogens can cause depression.

[kytheragraves]

Does anyone have experience combining finasteride with avodart? Is there any point, or do they work so similarly that it would be redundant to combine them?

[vanna]

Does anyone have experience combining finasteride with avodart? Is there any point, or do they work so similarly that it would be redundant to combine them?

Avodart is far superior in every way over fin...it comes down to cost for many thats all.

As far as ive seen there is no need to combine Dutasteride with Finasteride, it will not cause additional DHT benefits.

Check with your practictioner as always though.