Multiple clinical studies suggest that oral finasteride treatment may increase the risk of neuropsychiatric side effects. A systematic review found that the odds of developing depressive symptoms were significantly higher in oral finasteride users compared to non-users, with an odds ratio of 2.14. The pooled rates of depressive symptoms were higher with oral finasteride at 3.33% compared to 2.54% without it. Additionally, the risk of suicidal ideation or behavior was greater with oral finasteride at 21.2% versus 14.0% without it (p < 0.0001). Besides, reports have noted that nearly 50% of men experiencing so-called post-finasteride syndrome reported clinically significant depression.
Aditya K. Gupta, Mary A. Bamimore, Greg Williams, Mesbah Talukde. Finasteride Use: Evaluation of Depression and Suicide Risk, March 13, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.70102 [Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology]