5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors: Uses and Side Effects
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors FAQ
What is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor?
The class of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) includes finasteride and dutasteride. These medicines treat benign prostatic hypertrophy and male pattern hair loss. There is a concern that 5ARIs may increase the risk of developing a serious form of prostate cancer. What Conditions Do 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Treat?
What are 5-reductase inhibitors?
Dutasteride, one of the most widely used 5α-reductase inhibitors. 5α-Reductase inhibitors ( 5-ARIs ), also known as dihydrotestosterone ( DHT) blockers, are a class of medications with antiandrogenic effects which are used primarily in the treatment of enlarged prostate and scalp hair loss.
What is a 5-alpha reductase enzyme?
The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is present in your liver, skin, and prostate. This enzyme converts some of the testosterone you produce into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT plays a role in prostate growth, acne, growth of facial hair, and male pattern baldness. The 5ARIs work by suppressing the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.
How do you assess a patient's response to a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor?
Use a validated scoring system (such as the International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS] to assess and document the person's response to treatment [ NICE, 2015 ]. What are the adverse effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors? 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (dutasteride and finasteride) are generally well tolerated.
What are the side effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors?
Frequency not known — angioedema, male infertility, palpitations, and testicular pain. After 6 months of treatment, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can cause a decrease in mean serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels by approximately 50%.
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors References
If you want to know more about 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, consider exploring links below:
What Is 5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors
- https://www.webmd.com/men/prostate-enlargement-bph/what-to-know-5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors
- https://www.drugs.com/drug-class/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors.html
- https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/luts-in-men/prescribing-information/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5%CE%B1-reductase_inhibitor
- https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555930/
- https://www.singlecare.com/drug-classes/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/5-alpha-reductase-inhibitor-information
- https://www.endocrinepractice.org/article/S1530-891X(20)43023-X/fulltext
5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors Information
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