On call: Proscar and osteoporosis
On call
Proscar and osteoporosis
Q. I am 76 years old, and I've had an enlarged prostate for at least 10 years. I've been taking Proscar for about a year, and it seems to be helping quite a bit. I have not noticed any side effects, but I'm worried that if the medicine reduces testosterone levels enough to shrink my prostate, it will also give me osteoporosis. Should I change medications, or take Fosamax like my wife?
A. The prostate gland is stimulated by testosterone, the major male hormone; that's a bad thing for older gents at risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; an enlarged gland), or prostate cancer. Testosterone also increases bone calcium content, a good thing. Finasteride (Proscar) and its newer rival, dutasteride (Avodart) block the action of testosterone in the prostate, but they will not interfere with bone mineralization. It sounds like a paradox, but it's not. Here's why.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise