Finasteride
"An effective treatment for hair loss from male pattern baldness. In clinical trials, when taken continuously, it helps prevent further hair loss for 90% of men and in some cases can stimulate regrowth."
What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a daily tablet for men that slows or stops hair loss. If you take one a day continuously, clinical trials have shown it’s up to 90% effective in preventing further hair loss. In some cases it stimulates new hair growth.
Finasteride pills stimulate hair growth on the head, not anywhere else on the body. And it contains the same active ingredient as Propecia, a popular branded treatment we can also prescribe.
How does it work?
Finasteride tablets work by blocking DHT a hormone that affects hair follicles and causes hair loss. This allows hair follicles to return to a normal growth cycle, which can slow hair loss or even reverse it in some cases.
How to use finasteride
Take one tablet each day, with or without food. Don’t take more than one finasteride tablet in 24 hours.
You’ll need to take this treatment continuously for it to slow your hair loss. Once you stop taking finasteride, your hair loss may start again.
If you forget to take a finasteride tablet, take your next single tablet the next day. However, you should never take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablet.
Treatment results
Most men need to take finasteride daily for 3-6 months to see results. It has been shown to be effective in preventing hair loss for 9 out of 10 men.
Some men also experience hair regrowth after 3-6 months of taking it continuously. Studies have found that taking finasteride continuously over 2 years led to regrowth in 66% of men. Over 5 years it can help slow or stop hair loss for up to 90% of men.
Finasteride is most effective if you’re a man with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of your head caused by male pattern baldness. There’s not much evidence of finasteride for reversing a receding hairline.
Side effects of finasteride
It’s not common to get side effects when taking finasteride for hair loss and they’re usually mild. For some men, side effects include:
- A rash
- Sexual dysfunction
- Low mood
- Erection problems
- Tenderness on or around the nipples
Does finasteride cause depression?
While it’s generally safe, in a number of cases finasteride has been associated with depression and suicidal thoughts, and sexual dysfunction.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the finasteride patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
Helps stop hair loss for 9 out of 10 men
Helps hair grow back in some cases
One daily tablet
What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a daily tablet for men that slows or stops hair loss. If you take one a day continuously, clinical trials have shown it’s up to 90% effective in preventing further hair loss. In some cases it stimulates new hair growth.
Finasteride pills stimulate hair growth on the head, not anywhere else on the body. And it contains the same active ingredient as Propecia, a popular branded treatment we can also prescribe.
How does it work?
Finasteride tablets work by blocking DHT a hormone that affects hair follicles and causes hair loss. This allows hair follicles to return to a normal growth cycle, which can slow hair loss or even reverse it in some cases.
How to use finasteride
Take one tablet each day, with or without food. Don’t take more than one finasteride tablet in 24 hours.
You’ll need to take this treatment continuously for it to slow your hair loss. Once you stop taking finasteride, your hair loss may start again.
If you forget to take a finasteride tablet, take your next single tablet the next day. However, you should never take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablet.
Treatment results
Most men need to take finasteride daily for 3-6 months to see results. It has been shown to be effective in preventing hair loss for 9 out of 10 men.
Some men also experience hair regrowth after 3-6 months of taking it continuously. Studies have found that taking finasteride continuously over 2 years led to regrowth in 66% of men. Over 5 years it can help slow or stop hair loss for up to 90% of men.
Finasteride is most effective if you’re a man with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of your head caused by male pattern baldness. There’s not much evidence of finasteride for reversing a receding hairline.
Side effects of finasteride
It’s not common to get side effects when taking finasteride for hair loss and they’re usually mild. For some men, side effects include:
- A rash
- Sexual dysfunction
- Low mood
- Erection problems
- Tenderness on or around the nipples
Does finasteride cause depression?
While it’s generally safe, in a number of cases finasteride has been associated with depression and suicidal thoughts, and sexual dysfunction.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the finasteride patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Select a medication and complete our simple, confidential online consultation
A clinician will review your answers and, if suitable, prescribe treatment
Choose next-day delivery, or click & collect from your local pharmacy
Finasteride FAQs
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How long does finasteride take to work?
You’ll generally need to take finasteride daily for 3-6 months before your hair loss stops or goes into reverse. For most men, it takes a few months of daily use before they start to see any improvement.
You should take finasteride continuously for at least a year to decide whether it’s effective for you. Results won’t come any quicker if you take more than the recommended dose of one tablet a day. It also increases your risk of side effects.
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How long should I take finasteride for?
Any positive results you’ve been getting will be reversed when you stop taking
finasteride. Once you stop taking it you’ll start losing hair again. -
Can women take finasteride?
Finasteride is specifically for the treatment of male pattern hair loss, so women shouldn’t take it.
Finasteride may affect fertility, if you’re worried about this speak to your GP or message us in your Patient Record.
If you’re a woman who is pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, never touch crushed or broken finasteride tablets. This medication can affect the baby’s sex organ development. Please speak to your doctor if you think you may have come into contact with the crushed or broken tablets (whole ones are coated to prevent contact with the medicine until they’re inside the body).
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Finasteride dosages
One tablet each day is the recommended dose.
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Where can I buy finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription only medication, but you can buy it online if prescribed by a doctor. However, make sure you’re using:
- An online pharmacy that’s registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- An online doctor service regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- A doctor who is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC).
Our online service meets all these standards. You complete a simple, confidential consultation to make sure finasteride is right for you. Once approved, you can pay for your prescription online for discreet next day delivery or collection.
Can I buy finasteride over the counter?
No. Finasteride is a prescription only treatment.
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Is finasteride safe?
Finasteride is generally safe, but it has been associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, and sexual dysfunction.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the finasteride patient information leaflet.
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Finasteride warnings
You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking finasteride if you’re about to have a blood test for prostate cancer. This is because finasteride can affect the result of prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests.
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Finasteride drug interactions
So, they can prescribe finasteride safely, you’ll need to let our clinicians know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines or recreational drugs you’re taking regularly.
Don’t take finasteride if you’re already taking dutasteride. It’s a medication used to treat a prostate problem called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
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Alternative finasteride treatments
We also offer the branded medication Propecia to treat hair loss. It contains finasteride as its active ingredient, so they both work the same way.
Another alternative hair loss is minoxidil foam or solution. Regaine branded foam shares the same active ingredient. You can use these scalp foams or solutions on their own or alongside finasteride (or Propecia).
Non medication hair loss treatments include hair transplants, skin camouflage and hair loss makeup. Although they’re not treatments, wigs or hairpieces are available too.
Finasteride vs Propecia
Both finasteride and Propecia contain identical levels of active ingredient and work the same way to treat hair loss.
