DEAR PEOPLE’S PHARMACY: I took finasteride for about four months to treat BPH (benign prostate hypertrophy) and prostatitis. It gave me the worst side effects I’ve ever experienced from a prescription drug.
I had to deal with mental fog, erectile dysfunction, depression and unbelievably bad insomnia. The side effects went away after I stopped the drug. The only exception was insomnia. I needed the help of a sleep therapist to overcome that.
This drug helps some men, but health professionals should mention potential psychological as well as physical side effects. All my urologist told me was that it had a good side effect profile.
A. Urologists should now be more cautious in describing the side effect profile of finasteride (Proscar, Propecia). The European counterpart of the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has just issued a warning about suicidal thoughts as a potential side effect of finasteride. Apparently, most cases were reported by people taking the drug to treat hair loss.
Q. Statins to lower cholesterol caused me muscle pain, so my doctor prescribed Praluent instead. Insurance then switched me to Repatha.
I have been taking these drugs for over eight years without any side effects. My total cholesterol is 119, my LDL is 56 and my triglycerides are 49. This drug has been a life-extender for me.
A. Thank you for sharing your experience. Evolocumab (Repatha) dramatically lowers LDL cholesterol and reduces the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attacks, stroke or death (New England Journal of Medicine, May 4, 2017). In that study, the only significant side effect was injection-site reaction. Scientists have since analyzed data from this study to determine that older adults get at least as much cardiovascular benefit from this medication as younger people (Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Feb. 11, 2025).
You can learn more about both Repatha and Praluent in our “eGuide to Cholesterol Control & Heart Health.” This online resource is located under the Health eGuides tab at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”