The European Medicines Agency is investigating whether a popular baldness drug causes suicide

Men’s Medicines that prevent baldness have come under investigation by the European Medicines Agency, news agencies say.

The authorities are investigating whether the use of baldness drugs can have a connection with suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior, the news agency Bloomberg reports.

In the investigation are the drugs called dutasteride and finasteride. When taken orally, both drugs have possible “psychological side effects”, Bloomberg says, referring to the agency’s statement. Depression can occur as a side effect, for example.

Finasteride is an active ingredient in medicines called Propecia and Proscar, among others. In the product description of both drugs, suicidal thoughts are mentioned as a possible side effect, Bloomberg reports. Both medicines are sold in Finland.

After the review, the European Medicines Agency evaluates what should be done about the authorizations of medicines in the EU: whether to revoke, suspend or keep them valid.

Jo in the year In 2017, a patient advocacy group petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration, Reuters reports. The group wanted the agency to ban the sale of Propecia or tell the company selling the drug to add stronger warnings to the drug.

In 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration mandated that the drug’s label should include a warning about suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior.

In April, the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency announced that there will be a new warning card on finasteride packages, Bloomberg reports.