Finasteride is a synthetic drug primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness. It belongs to a class of medications known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. By inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen that plays a crucial role in the development of these conditions.
