Can Finasteride Cause Heart Palpitations? Understanding the Link

Understanding Finasteride and Heart Palpitations

Finasteride is a common medication used to treat male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate. It works by blocking the production of a hormone called DHT that causes hair loss. Though generally considered safe, some people have reported side effects like heart palpitations while taking finasteride.

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is the generic name for the brand name drugs Propecia and Proscar. It is in a class of medications called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

Finasteride works by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes shrinking and loss of hair follicles which leads to baldness. By blocking its production, finasteride allows hair regrowth and can prevent further hair loss.

The dosage for treating baldness is 1 mg per day. The dosage for treating enlarged prostate symptoms is 5 mg per day.

Potential Side Effects of Finasteride

Like all medications, finasteride can cause side effects. Most men tolerate it well, but some experience:

• Decreased sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depressed mood
• Less commonly - breast tenderness, skin rash, swelling of lips/face, heart palpitations

Heart palpitations aren’t extremely common, but have been reported by some finasteride users.

What are Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations are a pounding, fluttering, or racing feeling in the chest. Some people describe them like the heart is skipping beats. Palpitations themselves aren’t necessarily serious but can be a sign of an underlying heart condition.

Common triggers for palpitations include:

• Stress
• Exercise
• Caffeine
• Dehydration
• Hormone changes

However, any medication that impacts hormone levels - like finasteride - does also have the potential to cause heart palpitations in some people.

Why Can Finasteride Cause Heart Palpitations?

Researchers theorize a few reasons why finasteride seems connected to heart palpitations for some users:

1. Hormone changes - Finasteride alters a hormone in men’s bodies (DHT). These shifts can occasionally impact heart rhythms.
2. Anxiety - Some men feel anxious about taking finasteride, worrying about potential sexual side effects. This stress reaction could lead to palpitations.
3. Nocebo effect - The nocebo effect refers to physical symptoms developing because a person expects them to occur. If someone taking finasteride anticipates heart issues, this concern could manifest into real palpitations.

Experiencing Heart Palpitations on Finasteride?

Most available research indicates only a small percentage of men using finasteride will experience heart palpitations or rhythm issues. But if you do have these symptoms after starting finasteride, don’t ignore them.

Are the Palpitations Serious?

In most cases, finasteride-related heart palpitations will be temporary and not dangerous. They may resolve as your body adjusts to the medication. Still, any heart symptoms warrant medical evaluation.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have:

• Frequent or prolonged palpitations
• Palpitations accompanied by dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or chest pain

Testing can determine if the palpitations are benign or signs of arrhythmias, heart disease, or other cardiovascular issues requiring treatment.

What Treatment Options Are Available?

Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following depending on your test results and symptoms:

• Stop finasteride - Quitting the medication often resolves associated heart palpitations. But hair loss progresses again without treatment.
• Medications - Drugs like beta-blockers can regulate heart rhythms and control palpitations.
• Stress reduction - Relaxation, therapy, meditation, or yoga may alleviate stress-induced palpitations.
• Alternative hair treatments - Non-hormonal options like laser devices or platelet rich plasma avoid finasteride’s side effects.

Will Heart Palpitations Return If I Restart Finasteride?

It’s hard to predict if stopping and restarting finasteride will trigger palpitations again. This seems related to the underlying reason they occurred originally. Potential outcomes include:

• The palpitations were temporary and won’t recur.
• The palpitations were from anxiety and you remain concerned about restarting.
• The palpitations were a direct result of the drug and restarting causes them again.

Discuss options with your doctor if you wish to try finasteride again after palpitations resolve.

Takeaway Points on Finasteride and Heart Palpitations

While finasteride only causes heart issues for a minority of users, evaluate any palpitations thoroughly to rule out serious cardiovascular conditions. Report symptoms to your doctor and have your heart rhythm monitored regularly on finasteride treatment.

Stopping the medication or adding medications to regulate heart rate often alleviates troubling palpitations. But other hair regrowth alternatives avoid potential heart effects altogether.

Remember, research suggests only 1-2% of men using finasteride experience side effects like heart palpitations. The overall occurrence is low. But taking finasteride requires weighing possible hair regrowth benefits versus potential cardiac risks for each individual.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.