GW Researcher Publishes First Human Study that Shows Association between Finasteride (Propecia) and Decreased Levels of Alcohol Consumption

Michael Irwig posed for a portrait in a white shirt and red tie

WASHINGTON (June 13, 2013) —Researcher Michael S. Irwig, M.D., F.A.C.E., assistant professor of medicine at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and director of the Center for Andrology at The GW Medical Faculty Associates, found that men who used the medication finasteride (Propecia) and developed persistent sexual side effects, are also drinking less alcohol than before.

This research is published in the journal, Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. While robust literature exists on the interaction between finasteride and alcohol in rodents, this is the first study to examine the role of finasteride in alcohol consumption in humans with male pattern hair loss. The findings from this research are consistent with the findings from research in rodents, identifying that finasteride has the ability to modulate alcohol intake.

“Finasteride use leads to decreased concentrations of important hormones in the brain called neurosteroids. Because this is a preliminary report, further research is needed on the effects of finasteride in the human brain,” said Irwig. “This is an important step towards better understanding the breadth of side effects in humans from the drug finasteride.”

Irwig administered standardized interviews to 83 otherwise healthy men who developed persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride, despite the cessation of this medication for at least three months. Information regarding medical histories, sexual function, and alcohol consumption before and after taking finasteride was collected. Of the 63 men who consumed at least one alcoholic drink per week prior to starting finasteride, 41 men (65 percent) noted a decrease in their alcohol consumption after stopping finasteride. Twenty men (32 percent) reported no change in their alcohol consumption and two men (3 percent) reported an increase in alcohol consumption.

The study is available at PubMed.

Latest News

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Showcase featured more than 300 research abstracts, offering a platform for medical students, residents, PhD candidates, and health sciences scholars to share their work in basic sciences, clinical and translational…
Each year, GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences students representing each class cast their votes for the Golden Apple Awards, selecting faculty members and residents who have made a significant impact on their education through their exceptional teaching and mentoring.
The George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and the GW Medical Faculty Associates (GW MFA) is pleased to announce that Mohamad Koubeissi, MD, FAAN, FANA, FAES, professor of neurology, has been selected to serve as the chair of the Department of Neurology and…