You’re probably here because you’re wondering if finasteride has any drug interactions (or, in other words, if taking finasteride alongside any other medication or supplement increases side effects or makes the hair loss drug less effective). We’ll get right to it.
“Finasteride is one of the gold standard treatments for male pattern hair loss,” says to Hims medical reviewer and board-certified dermatologist Knox Beasley, MD, “While it has no known significant drug interactions, it’s still important to understand its potential side effects, risks, and how it may interact with other medications.”
The medication is approved to treat hair loss and an enlarged prostate, a condition referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), under the brand name Proscar®. It works by slowing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, another hormone that can bind to hair follicles, causing hair loss in those who are genetically sensitive to its effects.
The primary concern when using finasteride alongside other medications is accidentally causing unusually high concentrations of the drug in your blood, which can lead to more serious side effects. Those side effects may include:
Conditions like skin irritation are most likely to occur when topical finasteride is combined with another topical medication, so talk to your doctor if you’re using something like abametapir topical lotion.
While sexual side effects can occur, some of the claims can be a bit overblown. The truth is that in clinical studies, less than 2 percent of finasteride users experienced erectile dysfunction, a decrease in libido, or an ejaculation disorder.
It’s also worth noting that a small number of men who take finasteride continue to experience some side effects even after cessation of treatment. This has been occasionally referred to as post-finasteride syndrome.
Generally speaking, you should share all types of medications, including any supplements, you’re taking with a healthcare provider to get the appropriate medical advice to stay safe. And if you’re one of the few who experience finasteride side effects, contact your healthcare provider for further instructions.
Quick PSA:
Some drugs can compound the positive effects of finasteride, including minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine®. “Finasteride and minoxidil are commonly combined and very effective when used together,” Dr. Beasley says.
Minoxidil isn’t a blocker of DHT levels like finasteride. Instead, this FDA-approved drug works by increasing blood flow to the parts of your body that need it most, encouraging hair growth.
Since it doesn’t have the same mechanism of action as finasteride, using the two drugs together can increase the effectiveness of both compounds in fighting and even potentially reversing the effects of hair loss.
With this in mind, hair loss treatments like minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution might be great additions to your hair loss treatment plan.
Unfortunately, certain health conditions unrelated to your hair follicles may create a serious risk if you’re dealing with them while using finasteride.
Specifically, people with urologic and liver conditions may not be able to take finasteride safely.
“Patients with possible underlying urological conditions like Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) or decreased urinary flow should consult a urologist for evaluation before starting. Patients with chronic liver disease and prostate cancer diagnosed in the last five years should also not take finasteride,” Dr. Beasley says.
Any conditions or medications related to these issues should be shared with a healthcare provider before taking finasteride.
Additionally, there is a slightly increased risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer as a result of taking finasteride. Prostate cancer and prostate enlargement have been associated with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like dutasteride as well as finasteride.
Keep in mind, however, that while these issues have been associated with finasteride in research, it was at a dosage of 5 milligrams, which is significantly higher than the recommended finasteride dose of 1 milligram.
There’s also a potential relationship to breast cancer for both men and women that’s been noted in research on finasteride, as well as breastfeeding risks that led to nipple discharge in infants.
We should note that Propecia is not FDA-approved for treatment in women. Finasteride is contraindicated in pregnant women, so those who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid any contact with the tablets. Dr. Beasley says that finasteride should not be touched or handled by anyone who is pregnant due to the potential risk of genital malformation in a developing fetus.
Hair Loss
Male Pattern Baldness
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Seborrheic Dermatitis