These medications may increase the risk of suicide. Avoid them
Reported a report published in the Journal of Gamma Dermatology. That men aged 45 years or younger who are taking anti-hair loss medications are based on finasteride. They are three times more likely to have contemplated or planned suicide, or attempted to end their life.
Study author Dr Cook Diane Trinh of Brigham Hospital said that finasteride was used to treat enlarged prostate and hair loss. There are many mental health risks, the main of which is depression that can lead to suicidal thoughts.
During the study, Trinh and colleagues reviewed 365 reports on suicide. And 2,926 reports on drug side effects among patients in the "FijiPeace" global drug safety database.
The data showed that the risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts was 63% higher among those taking the drug. Users were four times more likely to have psychological side effects, including depression.
The researchers emphasized that those who use the drug to treat hair loss were more likely to have suicidal thoughts. But older men who took it to treat an enlarged prostate did not experience these problems. The data showed that younger men were 3.5 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts after taking the drug.
According to reports, the US Food and Drug Administration first approved the use of finasteride in 1992.
Since then, the drug has been used, which works by reducing the production of dihydro-testosterone. For treatment of hair loss in men and benign prostatic hyperplasia known as BPH.
In the early 2000s, reports of psychiatric side effects emerged among those treated with finasteride. This indicates that the drug may be linked to depression, self-harm, and suicide.
The researchers said the reports gave rise to the term "post-finasteride syndrome". Addition to the creation of the Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation.
Health authorities in Canada, South Korea, New Zealand and Britain have issued warnings about finasteride in recent years. Although in the United States the Food and Drug Administration has not yet done so. And it was satisfied with adding depression to the list of negative side effects on the drug label in 2011, according to what was reported on the "UBI" website. Source