Finasteride and acquired androgen insensitivity

Found this interesting… a doctor claiming 5AR inhibitors can cause acquired androgen insensitivity.


David J Handelsman MB BS, FRACP, PhD Director, ANZAC Research Institute & Department of Andrology, Concord Hospital, Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology & Andrology, University of Sydney,Sydney, NSW 2139, Australia

Updated 20 December 2008

endotext.org/male/male2/male2.htm

Acquired androgen insensitivity may occur without AR mutations by mechanisms such as drugs including non-steroidal (flutamide, bicalutamide, nilutamide) and steroidal (cyproterone acetate), drugs that block part of testosterone activation such as 5α reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) or estrogen antagonists or aromatase inhibitors.

In addition, drugs may have physiological effects or pharmacological actions that oppose various steps in androgen action such as LH and FSH suppression by estrogens or progestins or that cause an increase in circulating SHBG which may influence testosterone transfer from blood into tissues to produce a functional phenocopy of androgen insensitivity.

Wow, interesting. I’d say we should contact that guy ASAP. Is he saying that he’s aware of finasteride induced androgen insensitivity? Has he seen any cases? Does he know what might be going on?

Great find.

It could be a blanket statement but yes, certainly worth contacting.