• The EMA confirms finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) can cause suicidal thoughts, adding to known sexual and psychiatric side effects, despite being marketed as safe for hair loss.
• Finasteride, originally for prostate treatment, blocks DHT to slow balding but has been linked to severe issues like depression, erectile dysfunction, and cognitive decline.
• The FDA warns against unapproved topical finasteride from telehealth companies, citing cases of severe reactions, including suicidal ideation and genital shrinkage.
• Pharmaceutical companies prioritize profits over safety, with prescriptions surging 200% in seven years, often without proper patient evaluations.
• Natural alternatives like saw palmetto and microneedling offer safer hair loss solutions, but Big Pharma pushes finasteride for lifelong dependency.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has officially confirmed that the popular hair loss drug finasteride, marketed as Propecia and Proscar, can trigger suicidal thoughts. This bombshell revelation follows years of mounting reports linking the drug to severe psychiatric and sexual side effects, yet pharmaceutical companies continue pushing it as a “safe” solution for male pattern baldness.

With the FDA also issuing warnings about compounded versions of the drug, patients are left questioning whether Big Pharma’s profit-driven “cures” are causing more harm than good.

The hidden dangers of finasteride

Finasteride, originally developed by Merck Pharmaceuticals to treat enlarged prostates, was later repurposed for hair loss in a lower 1-mg dose. While it blocks the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to slow balding, its side effects range from erectile dysfunction and depression to suicidal ideation. The EMA’s review found most psychiatric cases involved the 1-mg dose, although the exact frequency remains unclear.

The FDA has also sounded alarms, citing 32 reports of severe reactions to unapproved topical finasteride sold by telehealth companies like Hims and Keeps. Men reported “erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido, and testicular pain.” One victim, U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Millich, 26, saw his life unravel after taking the drug, suffering genital shrinkage, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

The FDA’s warning noted: “Some consumers expressed they became very depressed, suffering with pain and their lives were ruined because of these symptoms.”

Big Pharma’s reckless disregard

Despite these risks, finasteride remains a cash cow for pharmaceutical companies preying on men’s trauma over hair loss. Prescriptions surged 200% in seven years, fueled by telehealth platforms that often skip thorough patient evaluations. A former Hims physician admitted the model prioritizes prescriptions over safety: “It was more of the ‘let’s go ahead and prescribe, get as many patients as we can to use medications from us.'”

Worse, many companies downplay the risks. Hims claims topical finasteride has “minimal” side effects, while the Ro platform suggests it’s safer because it “does not enter the bloodstream in the same way.” Yet the FDA warns these unapproved formulations lack safety data and absorption into the bloodstream does occur, triggering systemic harm.

Natural alternatives vs. chemical gambles

While finasteride’s manufacturers insist the benefits outweigh risks, safer options exist. Natural DHT blockers like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, and rosemary oil show promise without the same dangers. Scalp massages, microneedling, and dietary changes (reducing sugar, increasing biotin) also support hair health. Yet these solutions don’t pad Big Pharma’s pockets, unlike finasteride, which hooks users into lifelong dependency.

The FDA and EMA’s warnings are a start, but they’re not enough. Patients deserve full transparency, not buried side effects in tiny print. Telehealth companies must be held to the same standards as traditional pharmacies, and doctors must prioritize informed consent over quick prescriptions.

Finasteride’s dark side can no longer be ignored. With lives at stake, it’s time to reject reckless medicalization and embrace safer, holistic approaches to hair loss before more men pay the ultimate price.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

NYPost.com

Health.com

Healthline.com