5α-reductase inhibitors in BPH linked with adverse sexual effects
5?-reductase inhibitors may cause persistent erectile dysfunction, depression, and loss of libido, even after discontinuing use, in men being treated for systems of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia, according to a literature review published in the March 2011 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
5α-reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs) may cause persistent erectile dysfunction, depression, and loss of libido, even after discontinuing use, in men being treated for systems of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia, according to a literature review published in the March 2011 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
Investigators examined data from various clinical studies concerning the side effects of finasteride and dutasteride. A subset of men reported persistent adverse effects on sexual function, including erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Drug-related reduction in libido occurred in 4.2% of men taking dutasteride compared to 1.8% taking placebo in 1 study. About 6% to 8% of patients in several trials reported erectile dysfunction. Some patients also experienced negative effects on ejaculatory function, gynecomastia, and depression.
"Extreme caution should be exercised prior to prescribing 5α-RIs therapy to patients for hair growth or for BPH symptoms," the investigators concluded. "In some patients, these adverse effects are persistent and may be prolonged, and patients do not recover well after discontinuation from drug use."
David Calabrese of OptumRx Talks Top Three Drugs in Pipeline, Industry Trends in Q2
July 1st 2020In this week's episode of Tuning Into The C-Suite podcast, MHE's Briana Contreras chatted with David Calabrese, R.Ph, MHP, who is senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer of pharmacy care services company, OptumRx. David is also a member of Managed Healthcare Executives’ Editorial Advisory Board. During the discussion, he shared the OptumRx Quarter 2 Drug Pipeline Insights Report of 2020. Some of the information shared includes the three notable drugs currently being reviewed or those that have been recently approved by the FDA. Also discussed were any interesting industry trends to watch for.
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