Finasteride could mask prostate marker, say scientists

Tuesday December 5, 2006 in: Hair Loss Tag(s):

Technorati Tags: male pattern baldness, hair loss, Propecia, finasteride, prostate cancer

For the millions of men who are using finasteride-more popularly known by its brand name Propecia-here's a bit of disconcerting news.

Scientists said Monday that finasteride-which is registered in many countries as a drug for male pattern baldness-can mask an important marker used in screening tests to detect prostate cancer. Reuters has more:

Finasteride, which is made by Merck & Co Inc under the name Propecia, is a leading drug to treat male-pattern baldness.

But researchers have discovered it artificially lowers a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). High levels of PSA in the blood can signal prostate cancer or other problems.

Dr Anthony D'Amico, the lead author of the study from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, recommends middle-aged men taking Propecia should have their PSA levels multiplied by 2 in tests to account for the difference.

"The main finding is that this drug called Propecia, which men use for hair loss typically between the ages of 30-60, affects the PSA levels," he said in an interview.

"If you are using the PSA test in order to screen men, especially young men, for prostate cancer you can be falsely misled by the lower level of PSA when men are taking this drug for hair loss," he added.

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