Finasteride and Mental Health: When a Hair Loss Drug Leads to Psychiatric Harm — and Legal Action

A pill to keep your hair. That’s how finasteride — sold under names like Propecia — has been marketed for years. A simple cosmetic fix. Low risk. High reward.

But new research says something else entirely.

A review published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry shows a consistent, alarming pattern. Men who take finasteride are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts than those who do not. This isn’t one isolated report. Eight major studies across multiple countries — including U.S. FDA reports and national health databases in Sweden, Canada, and Israel — all found the same signal.

The evidence is strong. And for some families, it is already too late.

A Cosmetic Drug With Life-Altering Consequences

Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). That helps slow or reverse male-pattern baldness. But that same mechanism may interfere with brain chemicals responsible for mood regulation.

Researchers believe finasteride can disrupt neurosteroids like allopregnanolone — compounds crucial for emotional stability. Animal studies show it may alter inflammation in the brain and even change the structure of the hippocampus, a region tied to memory and emotion.

In real patients, the effects have been devastating.

Some report sudden panic attacks. Others experience crushing depression. Worst of all, some never recover — even after stopping the drug. The condition has a name now: Post-Finasteride Syndrome. Symptoms include:

• Insomnia

• Emotional numbness

• Brain fog

• Loss of sexual function

• Persistent suicidal thoughts

These are not rare one-off reactions. According to the review, hundreds of thousands may have experienced depression tied to finasteride use. Hundreds — possibly more — may have died by suicide.

All for a drug taken “just” for hair.

Regulators Knew — But Acted Too Late

The FDA acknowledged depression as a possible side effect in 2011. Suicidal ideation was added in 2022. But internal FDA documents from 2010 — quoted in the review — reveal entire sections blacked out as “confidential,” including estimates of how many people were likely affected.

By 2011, only 18 suicides were officially linked to finasteride. Real-world usage suggests the true number should have been in the thousands.

This wasn’t just underreporting. It was a failure of oversight.

Finasteride never faced the level of post-market scrutiny applied to weight-loss drugs or psychiatric medications. Why? Because it was categorized as cosmetic. Not essential. Not life-saving. So safety signals were treated as low priority.

Meanwhile, Merck — the original manufacturer — did not initiate any of the major safety studies now being cited. Not one.

This Is More Than a Medical Problem. It’s a Legal One.

When drug companies fail to warn users about known risks, they can be held liable. When regulators delay action, families suffer without answers. When a drug meant for appearance causes permanent psychological harm — that becomes more than a health issue.

It becomes a public safety crisis.

Many families may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one.

At Ketterer, Browne & Davani, we represent individuals harmed by dangerous pharmaceuticals. We believe cosmetic drugs should never carry hidden life-or-death risks. If a medication can alter brain chemistry, that risk must be clearly stated — before someone takes the first pill.

You Are Not Alone — And You May Have a Legal Claim

If you or a loved one:

• Took finasteride (Propecia or generic versions),

• Experienced severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or personality changes,

• Developed persistent mental health symptoms after discontinuing the drug, or

• Lost someone to suicide following finasteride use,

—you may be entitled to pursue compensation.

No family should be left wondering, “What if we had known?”

What Needs to Change — Now

Professor Mayer Brezis, the author of the review, is calling for immediate reforms:

• Suspend finasteride marketing for cosmetic use until safety is re-evaluated.

• Require strict, long-term psychiatric safety studies.

• Mandate suicide case reviews to include prescription history.

We agree.

Hair loss is not a life-threatening condition. But the solution should never be one.

Talk to an Injury Lawyer

KBD is currently reviewing potential cases involving finasteride-related psychiatric injuries and suicides. We work with medical experts and review prescription histories to determine if a legal claim exists. Consultations are confidential and free, so contact  today.

We will listen. We will investigate. And if negligence is to blame, we will take action.

Because no one should lose their life in the pursuit of keeping their hair.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, seek immediate medical help. If you are facing medication-related harm and want to explore legal options, KBD Attorneys is here to help.