Finasteride

Finasteride is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound that acts as a competitive and specific inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase. In veterinary medicine, it is primarily utilized for the medical management of **benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)** in intact male dogs. It offers a highly effective alternative to surgical castration, particularly for valuable breeding studs, as it reduces prostate size without significantly impacting fertility or circulating testosterone levels. Additionally, finasteride is used off-label as an adjunctive therapy for **adrenal disease** in ferrets, helping to manage androgen-driven clinical signs such as prostatic enlargement and urinary blockages in affected males.

กลไกการออกฤทธิ์: Finasteride specifically and totally inhibits the intracellular enzyme **5-alpha-reductase** (predominantly Type II). * **Pathway**: Testosterone → (via **5-alpha-reductase**) → **Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)** DHT is a highly potent androgen and is the primary hormone responsible for the development and enlargement of the prostate gland. By blocking this conversion, finasteride significantly reduces DHT concentrations in the prostate, liver, and skin. This leads to prostatic involution and a reduction in clinical signs of BPH. Because it does not directly block testosterone or its receptors, normal testosterone-dependent functions (such as spermatogenesis and libido) are largely preserved.

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