Not sure if these are Finasteride side effects?

Symptoms Physical
#1

Hi,

I am a new member. I apologise for not filling out the personal profile in the FAQ yet, it’s just that I don’t exhibit many of the typical symptoms at all, and am wondering if my problems are related to Finasteride at all.

Hence, I am just “dipping my toe in the water” here, to hopefully get some feedback.

I took 1 mg Finasteride (1/5th of 5 mg tablet) daily for 7 months for hair loss. I quit 2.5 weeks ago, after tapering off for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately I didn’t do the taper very well, as I only reduced the dose, and didn’t spread the days apart (I didn’t do effective research).

It is well worth stating that I did not experience any side effects whilst in Finasteride, nor did I notice any real benefit (albeit early days). The reasons I quit was because of the horror stories I am hearing, and fears of doing my body permanent damage.

Since discontinuing the drug, I have noticed 3 symptoms:

  1. Dry skin on the back of my hands - mainly around the knuckles where my fingers join the hand.

  2. Very oily skin - particularly scalp. I always suffer from oily skin, but it is worse than usual.

  3. Hands sweating a lot.

However, it is important to add that I have just finished a very short course of Isotretinoin (Accutane), and I have an anxiety disorder (not related to Finasteride). I guess I could attribute oily and dry skin complaints to the accutane, and sometimes when my anxiety is very bad my hands will sweat a lot.

It is just strange for these to all happen together like this I feel.

Anyone else have these problems? If they are from Finasteride, is it likely that they will correct?

Thanks.

#2

Likely Reflex hyperandrogenicity. Read below, and the link within thread.

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewt … ght=reflex

Considering Accutane has also been documented to operate as a potent 5AR inhibitor, it’s possible your body is trying to recompensate for having DHT/3a-diol-G levels reduced the entire time you were on both medications.

It may have “overshot” the mark in terms of androgenic “reaction” after quitting and is overly stimulating 5AR2 activity/DHT/3a-diol-G, resulting in increased sebaceous gland activity (sweat). Dry skin is a side effect of Accutane usage.

Just a guess though. Suggest you get bloodtests to evaluate androgenic function (Testosterone, DHT, 3-adiol-G, Androstenedione etc). Things should probably level out in coming weeks/months.

#3

OK, I’ll try and get the blood tests.

I don’t think the dry skin is from Accutane, as I quit it almost 7 weeks ago. All my other symptoms, like dry lips and eyes, and sebum production have returned to normal. I really think it is due to the Finasteride.

I’m also now noticing that I am getting very high sweat production on the top of my feet. So it seems both my hands and my feet are sweating more than usual.

Hopefully this will all sort itself out naturally.

Thanks.

#4

My doctor wouldn’t give me the blood tests as he doesn’t believe there is any need :confused:

I wanted to ask how bad it was to mix Finasteride and Accutane? Ashamedly I didn’t tell my dermatologist that I was on Finasteride when he prescribed me Accutane; I think I actually just forgot about it.

The reason I quit Accutane was because I was having terrible bouts of depression. Is it possible that the 2 drugs interacted in a very negative way? Could this lead to me having greater chance of long term / permanent symptoms?

#5

Don’t panic buddy at least you have your balls.

#6

Actually the only symptom I seem to have still now is extra oily skin on my face. I am certain my face is more oily than before.

Is it possible that I could have just this one symptom from finasteride?

#7

Be thankful bro.

#8

OK, so 7+ months since I quit Finasteride now.

I still have very oily facial skin. I believe the dry skin on the backs of my hands, and the sweaty palms were unrelated to Finasteride, and have pretty much gone now anyway.

However, I am quite bothered by the excess oil. I realise it is not as bad as some of the other symptoms people have here, but it is still a big deal to me because I find it very unpleasant in feeling and appearance.

I do believe that Finasteride caused this symptom, although it seems strange that I got it without any of the classic symptoms as well. I am concerned it is permanent since I have had it so long, without any improvement.

#9

My advice - get over it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this ordeal, appearance is far from being the most important thing in the world. Having a great personality will bring you much more satisfaction that great looks. Learned this the hard way.

#10

Could be the result of Fin. Who knows what its done to your overall health. As the others have said, if thats your only side effect you really got lucky. Some have dealt with daily pain, brainfog and sexual decimation for years.