Finasteride. Does it affect spermatogenesis and pregnancy?

Meena Pole, Gideon Koren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Question: A few women have asked me whether finasteride, taken by their partners for male pattern baldness, will affect their pregnancies. The product monograph is very alarming: it sounds as if even handling the medication could cause harm, especially to a male fetus. Should a man stop taking finasteride if his partner is planning pregnancy of is pregnant? What is the risk to the fetus if its mother accidentally handles crushed or broken tablets? Answer: To date, there are no reports of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women exposed to finasteride. Taking 1 mg of finasteride daily did not have any clinically significant effect on men's semen. Absorption through the skin while handling tablets is extremely unlikely to cause fetal exposure or harm. There is no reason to discontinue the drug. Motherisk is currently following up women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy and whose partners are taking finasteride.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2469-2470
Number of pages2
JournalCanadian Family Physician
Volume47
Issue numberDEC.
StatePublished - 2001
Externally publishedYes

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