Will Propecia produce depression?
Depression is a known potential side effect from Propecia (finasteride). There are actions of the 5AR enzymes in many parts of the body and as it blocks the effect of this enzyme, the effects can be seen everywhere the enzyme exists which does include the brain. The dose of Propecia (1mg) is low so the effects elsewhere in the body is minimal. We see this drug used in the 5mg dose for the treatment of benign hypertrophy of the prostate (BPH) and most of the information we have on side effects come from the men treated with BPH. There are, of course, many causes of depression and depression itself needs to be addressed independent of the use of this drug alone.
The dose response curve is such that finasteride’s suppression of 5-AR is very similar between 1mg and 5mg doses. If you only take 1mg of finasteride, it blocks 80% of the DHT your body previously made. More misinformation from this blog.
Ask yourself if you want to be blocking an enzyme in your brain that is responsible for producing chemicals that regulate mood stability when you decide to try it.