Understanding the Side Effects of Propecia
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- Created on Tuesday, 27 September 2011 14:24
The side effects of the hair loss drug Propecia are quickly going to be the subject of many lawsuits. At its highest level, these lawsuits claim that Merck (the manufacturer of Propecia) was negligent in disclosing the severity of the side effects associated with their hair loss pill. Conversely, Merck claims they were accurate in their disclosure of all of the side effects associated with Propecia.
To understand the side effects of Propecia, it is important to understand how the drug is intended to work. Propecia is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. If that doesn't make everything crystal clear, please read on.
In certain tissues the body converts testosterone into the hormone, androgen DHT. This hormone causes hair follicles to shrink or "miniaturize" which shortens their lifespan and prevents them from producing hair normally. By blocking 5-alpha reductase, Propecia blocks the conversion of testosterone into the more powerful androgen DHT. This reduces androgenic activity in the scalp, treating hair loss at its hormonal source.
There is a process in the body called 'biosynthesis of neurosteroids' which require 5-alpha reductase. Neurosteroids are important to such things as memory enhancement, anti-stress, antidepressant, sleep modulation, etc. When Propecia is taken and it blocks 5-alpha reductase it also alters neurosteroids levels, which likely explains many of the mental and sexual side effects from taking Propecia.
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