Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Stephe on March 27, 2012, 12:22:43 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Stephe on March 27, 2012, 12:22:43 PM
Post by: Stephe on March 27, 2012, 12:22:43 PM
About 6 months ago I added finasteride to the spiro to attempt to lower T levels more and kill off body hair. I ended up on the "prostrate problem" dosage and was happy with the results. Earlier this year though I started getting random bouts of depression and there was no real reason for me to feel depressed. I would wake up and just not want to get out of bed, feel like crying and had no idea what I even wanted to cry about etc.
I had read finasteride could cause this type of depression so tapered it out of my meds over a week. The change in my metal clarity was VERY obvious. This weird depression thing instantly went away. Even my vision seems clearer, like I was in a fog or something before? I'm done with that med and if my body hair comes back I will find another way to remove it. While I did like the physical effects, the mental effects were NOT improving my life. I don't notice any increase in male sex drive so don't think it made any huge change in my T levels, will have some blood work in a few weeks to find out. It's possible a lower dose of this wouldn't have these side effects (or as bad) but from my research even the "hair loss" dosage can cause this.
I had read finasteride could cause this type of depression so tapered it out of my meds over a week. The change in my metal clarity was VERY obvious. This weird depression thing instantly went away. Even my vision seems clearer, like I was in a fog or something before? I'm done with that med and if my body hair comes back I will find another way to remove it. While I did like the physical effects, the mental effects were NOT improving my life. I don't notice any increase in male sex drive so don't think it made any huge change in my T levels, will have some blood work in a few weeks to find out. It's possible a lower dose of this wouldn't have these side effects (or as bad) but from my research even the "hair loss" dosage can cause this.
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Maja.V on March 28, 2012, 12:11:56 AM
Post by: Maja.V on March 28, 2012, 12:11:56 AM
If finasteride caused unwanted side effects, you could ask your doctor to prescribe you dutasteride. It's essentially used for the same thing (countering hair loss, prostate, etc.) though it's quite a bit more potent, and somewhat newer one the market.
Can't really guarantee you won't be getting the same side edfects, though.
Can't really guarantee you won't be getting the same side edfects, though.
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Stephe on March 28, 2012, 01:54:35 AM
Post by: Stephe on March 28, 2012, 01:54:35 AM
Thanks, I'll look into that. I was mainly posting this in case someone else was experiencing depression out of the blue and was taking this.
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: dalebert on March 28, 2012, 08:01:07 AM
Post by: dalebert on March 28, 2012, 08:01:07 AM
Statistically the depression seems fairly rare, but this other side-effect is new to me. It explains a lot. I've been taking this every day for many years now and I have very little body hair and what I have is very fine. I had no idea it might be correlated.
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Jeneva on March 28, 2012, 08:20:08 AM
Post by: Jeneva on March 28, 2012, 08:20:08 AM
Quote from: Stephe on March 28, 2012, 01:54:35 AMUnfortunately it would be an off label use so it may be hard to get a Dr to prescribe it. It is only cleared for BPH.
Thanks, I'll look into that. I was mainly posting this in case someone else was experiencing depression out of the blue and was taking this.
One other thing is that I've only ever seen it in a liquid gel so you can't split the dosage, but it is supposed to work better.
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Stephe on March 28, 2012, 10:13:10 AM
Post by: Stephe on March 28, 2012, 10:13:10 AM
Quote from: Jeneva on March 28, 2012, 08:20:08 AM
Unfortunately it would be an off label use so it may be hard to get a Dr to prescribe it.
But isn't taking spironolactone for trans hormone therapy also an off label use?
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Alainaluvsu on March 28, 2012, 12:22:30 PM
Post by: Alainaluvsu on March 28, 2012, 12:22:30 PM
Quote from: Stephe on March 28, 2012, 10:13:10 AM
But isn't taking spironolactone for trans hormone therapy also an off label use?
Yes, and so is finasteride and estradiol.
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Jeneva on March 28, 2012, 12:30:50 PM
Post by: Jeneva on March 28, 2012, 12:30:50 PM
Quote from: Alainaluvsu on March 28, 2012, 12:22:30 PMI'm not sure about spiro.
Yes, and so is finasteride and estradiol.
But finasteride is actually cleared for us in hair regrowth via DHT blocking (which is why we take it).
Finasteride documentation on webMD
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9167-FINASTERIDE+HAIR+GROWTH+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1548&drugname=finasteride+Oral&source=1 (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9167-FINASTERIDE+HAIR+GROWTH+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1548&drugname=finasteride+Oral&source=1)
Spiro on webMD - "This medication is also used to treat low potassium levels and conditions in which the body is making too much of a natural chemical (aldosterone)." That statement comes from the primary use (not the off label other uses like for women with PCOS). http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6288-spironolactone+Oral.aspx?drugid=6288&drugname=spironolactone+Oral&source=1 (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6288-spironolactone+Oral.aspx?drugid=6288&drugname=spironolactone+Oral&source=1)
Title: Re: Finasteride and depression
Post by: Alainaluvsu on March 28, 2012, 03:50:05 PM
Post by: Alainaluvsu on March 28, 2012, 03:50:05 PM
Quote from: Jeneva on March 28, 2012, 12:30:50 PM
I'm not sure about spiro.
But finasteride is actually cleared for us in hair regrowth via DHT blocking (which is why we take it).
Finasteride documentation on webMD
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9167-FINASTERIDE+HAIR+GROWTH+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1548&drugname=finasteride+Oral&source=1 (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9167-FINASTERIDE+HAIR+GROWTH+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=1548&drugname=finasteride+Oral&source=1)
Spiro on webMD - "This medication is also used to treat low potassium levels and conditions in which the body is making too much of a natural chemical (aldosterone)." That statement comes from the primary use (not the off label other uses like for women with PCOS). http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6288-spironolactone+Oral.aspx?drugid=6288&drugname=spironolactone+Oral&source=1 (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6288-spironolactone+Oral.aspx?drugid=6288&drugname=spironolactone+Oral&source=1)
I was saying neither drug is cleared for cross gender HRT. At least not by the FDA in the US. But it doesnt stop doctors from prescribing it for that reason.
However i have read on hair loss forums that some people do take spiro to help halt hair loss.