Does Finasteride lower blood pressure?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Finasteride lower blood pressure?
No, Finasteride is not associated with lowering your blood pressure as a side effect. The medication did not affect blood pressure during clinical trials and is considered safe to be used in cardiac patients (1).
However, long-term use of Finasteride may lower your blood pressure, a new study indicates, but the effects are not significant and they are not observed in short-term users.
If you’re being treated with Finasteride for quite a while and you are concerned about your blood pressure, talk to your healthcare provider. Although it is not likely for Finasteride to dangerously decrease or increase your blood pressure, the drug may affect people differently.
What side effects are common with Finasteride use?
Finasteride, although it does not affect blood pressure, is associated with some side effects (1,2).
Common side effects of Finasteride may include:
- Decreased sex drive or libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Ejaculation disorders (such as decreased semen volume)
- Breast enlargement or tenderness
- Skin rash or itching
Rare side effects of Finasteride may include:
- Allergic reactions, including rash, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Testicular pain or swelling
- Depressed mood or mental changes
- Nipple discharge
- Persistent difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
It’s important to note that individual experiences with Finasteride may vary. If you have any concerns or experience any unexpected or severe side effects while taking Finasteride, it is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider.
What factors can contribute to low blood pressure while taking Finasteride?
Several factors can contribute to low blood pressure while taking Finasteride, including individual variations in how the body responds to the medication, interactions with other medications or substances, and underlying medical conditions.
For example, individuals with pre-existing low blood pressure or conditions that affect blood pressure regulation may be more susceptible to experiencing low blood pressure as a side effect of Finasteride (1).
It is important to note that while low blood pressure can occur with Finasteride, it is not a common side effect. If you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider.
What to do if your blood pressure drops while taking Finasteride?
If you experience a drop in blood pressure while taking Finasteride, it is important to inform your healthcare provider about the drop in blood pressure and any accompanying symptoms you may be experiencing.
Make sure you regularly measure your blood pressure at home using a reliable blood pressure monitor. Keep a record of your readings and share them with your healthcare provider. This information will help them understand the pattern and severity of your blood pressure changes.
Furthermore, you should avoid sudden movements while you’re struggling with hypotension. When you stand up from sitting or lying down, do so slowly to minimize the risk of dizziness or lightheadedness. This can help prevent falls or accidents due to low blood pressure (3).
Remember, it is crucial to seek professional advice from your healthcare provider. Your doctor may adjust the dosage, suggest lifestyle modifications, or recommend further evaluations to manage your blood pressure effectively while taking Finasteride.
Was this helpful?
References
1.-
Zito PM, Bistas KG, Syed K. Finasteride. 2022 Aug 25. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 30020701. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513329
2.-
National Library of Medicine. Finasteride: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2022. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698016.html
3.-
Bradley JG, Davis KA. Orthostatic hypotension. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Dec 15;68(12):2393-8. PMID: 14705758. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14705758/