Finasteride

IUPAC nomenclature

(1S,3aS,3bS,5aR,9aR,9bS,11aS)-N-tert-butyl-9a,11a-dimethyl-7-oxo-1,2,3,3a,3b,4,5,5a,6,9b,10,11-dodecahydroindeno[5,4-f]quinoline-1-carboxamide.

Classification

Finasteride is a 5-α reductase inhibitor. [1]

Physiochemical Properties

Mechanism of Action

i. Competitive and specific inhibition of Type II 5α-reductase.

ii. This leads to the inhibition of the conversion of androgens into 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This results in decrease in the level of DHT in the serum and increase in the level of testosterone concentration in serum.

iii. DHT is the principle androgen for the prostate growth, and thus, the decrease in the level of DHT leads in the decrease in the volume of prostate.

iv. Finasteride also decreases the DHT level in the scalp and thus, help in hair regrowth and slow hair loss. [2]

Structure Activity Relationship

Structure activity relationship of 5α- inhibitors can be better understood by the following representation:

Method of synthesis

Finasteride can be synthesized from the inexpensive luteosterone through six step synthetic reactions. The following six compounds are generated during the synthesis of finasteride:

i. 3- carbonyl-4- androstene-17beta-carboxylic acid

ii. N-tertiary-butyl-3- carbonyl-4- androstene-17beta-formamide

iii. N-tertiary-butyl-5- carbonyl-17beta- carbamoyl-A-lost carbon-3,5-cracking- androstane-3-acid

iv. N-tertiary-butyl-3-carbonyl-4- aza-5- androstene-17beta-formamide

v. N-tertiary-butyl-3- carbonyl-4- aza-5alpha- androstane-17beta- formamide

vi. Finasteride [3]

Therapeutic Uses

The drug used for the treatment of:

• Benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Scalp hair loss
• Prostate cancer
• Hirsutism
• Transgender hormone therapy

 Side Effects

Men who is medicated with finasteride may experience sexual dysfunctions like erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and reduced ejaculate.

MCQs

Q.1The terms ‘Proscar’ and ‘Eucoprost’ are associated with which drug?

a) Letrozole

b) Finasteride

c) Nafarelin

d) Anastrozole

Q.2 Molecular weight of Finasteride is?

a) 300.1 gm/mol

b) 285.25 gm/mol

c) 372.5 gm/mol

d) 70 gm/mol

Q.3 Which amongst the following are the correct side effects of the drug Finasteride?

I. Erectile dysfunction in men

II. Decreased ejaculate

III. Increased libido

a) I & II

b) I & III

c) I, II & III

d) III only

Q.4 The starting chemical required for the synthesis of drug Finasteride is?

a) Luteosterone

b) Boc-Gly-O-Resin

c) N-benzoyldihydrodutasteride

d) None of these

Q.5 Which pairs of drug and its classification are CORRECT?

a) I, II, III & IV

b) I, II & IV

c) I, II & IV

d) II, III & IV

Q.6 Correct physical form in which the drug Finasteride is found?

a) Fine white to off white crystalline solid

b) Red crystals

c) Yellowish crystalline solid

d) Red crystals from methanol

 Q.7 Type of ring present in Finasteride structure

a) Quinoline

b) Oxazophosphorine

c) No ring structure present

d) None of these

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ANSWERS

1-b

2-c

3-a

4-a

5-d

6-a

7-a

 REFERENCES