Boston—The common treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia, 5a-reductase inhibitors, appear to have more and longer-lasting side effects than generally assumed, according to a new review. The report, which discusses finasteride and dutasteride, marketed as Proscar and Avodart, was published online by the journal Endocrine Reviews and Metabolic Disorders. The international review, led by authors from the Boston University School of Medicine, summarizes currently available data and the effect of the drugs on sexual function as well as insulin resistance, depression and cognitive dysfunction. For one thing, the suggestion that sexual side effects appear early in the first 6 months of therapy and then return to baseline is inaccurate, according to study authors. The researchers also call for more research on use of the drugs and risk for diabetes, psychosis, depression, and cognitive function decline.