Finasteride

Finasteride is a hair treatment for men that helps to counter male pattern hair loss by reducing the activity of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) on the hair follicles. DHT is a molecule that activates a receptor in the hair follicle which causes the growth phase of the hair cycle to gradually decrease. This shrinks the follicle resulting in finer, shorter hairs until the growth phase is so short that hairs do not grow from the scalp at all.

Finasteride stops the production of DHT. It works as an inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme which converts testosterone into DHT. This means that less DHT is present in the scalp (around 60% less), preventing further hair loss and in many cases, promoting hair regrowth.

Finasteride is suitable for men with mild to moderate male pattern hair loss.

However, finasteride should not be taken by men who:

• Have complete hair loss.
• Are actively planning for pregnancy with their partner.

A full list of warnings and precautions is available in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) included with your finasteride, which you should always read before taking finasteride for the first time.

Finasteride is not suitable for women.

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Finasteride has consistently been shown to be an effective hair loss treatment for men with male pattern hair loss.

In a trial of 1553 men with male pattern hair loss, treatment with finasteride 1mg resulted in improved scalp coverage in around two-thirds of men and slowed the progression of hair loss in the other one-third.

To see how effective finasteride is as a male hair loss treatment, take a look at this finasteride testimonial. Men of varying ages have found that finasteride is an effective hair loss solution that helps to stimulate hair regrowth and enhance scalp coverage.

Every hair loss treatment we provide is capable of treating male pattern hair loss, so the hair loss treatment you choose depends on how you’d prefer to treat it.

If you like the simplicity of taking a single tablet every day to treat your hair loss, then finasteride is an ideal hair loss treatment for you.

However, if you’d prefer to target specific areas of the scalp (such as a balding crown and thinning hair on the temples) then Topical Spray may be a better treatment option for you.

To encourage efficient hair regrowth, we recommend using the Complete Hair Kit. It contains both finasteride and Topical Spray so that you can encourage overall hair regrowth and target specific areas of the scalp at the same time.

When using a medicine for hair loss like finasteride, it’s important to remember that hair regrowth takes time. Hair regrowth is a naturally slow process so it may take a few months to notice any significant changes. However, good things come to those who wait - so it’s best to be consistent with the treatment to encourage the best hair regrowth possible.

When taking finasteride tablets, you should start to notice reduced hair loss and/or the regrowth of your hair after about three to six months. The best results appear after one to two years of treatment.

To help you keep on top of your hair treatment journey we’ll send you a refill of your finasteride every month. This will ensure you don’t run out so that you can treat your hair loss with greater convenience.

If you stop taking finasteride one day

If you forget to take your dose of finasteride one day, don’t worry. It’s very unlikely to have an impact on your hair regrowth. Just take your dose as normal the following day. Do not double the dose to make up for the dose you forgot.

If you stop taking finasteride altogether

For the best hair regrowth results it’s recommended that you take finasteride continually. If treatment is stopped, any improvements in the quality or quantity of hair that you noticed during the time you were taking finasteride will be lost within 6-12 months.

No. Finasteride is usually only available via private prescription for use in male pattern hair loss.

Finasteride results timeline

As hair regrowth is a naturally slow process, there is likely to be little change for the first one to three months when you start using finasteride. Some people may experience hair shedding in these initial months, but this is normal and temporary.

After three to six months, hair loss should start to slow down and newly regrown hair should begin to emerge. Initial hairs may be soft and light at the start, but should eventually become the same as normal hair.

Beyond six months, hair loss should slow significantly and thicker, denser-looking hairs should begin to fill in patches of thinning hair. Scalp coverage should noticeably improve and hairs should look stronger and healthier.

Both finasteride and minoxidil are clinically proven hair loss treatments for men, and both are effective at treating the symptoms of male pattern baldness (e.g. thinning hair, a balding crown, and a receding hairline).

Therefore, when choosing a hair loss treatment, many men make their choice based on what is most suitable for their needs and lifestyle.

Some people prefer finasteride as a hair regrowth treatment because they like the ease of simply taking one tablet a day to treat their hair loss. Others prefer minoxidil because it’s a liquid solution that can be applied to specific areas of the scalp to encourage hair regrowth in those areas.

A key distinction between the two hair loss medicines is that finasteride is a prescription-only hair loss treatment whereas minoxidil is available over-the-counter. If you’re unable to get a finasteride prescription for any reason then minoxidil is another male pattern baldness treatment that can be bought without a prescription.

As for potential side effects, both finasteride and minoxidil (like most medicines) can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Therefore, it’s best to read the Patient Information Leaflet and/or Safety Information Page included with your finasteride or minoxidil to make sure it’s safe for you to take and doesn’t interact with any medication you’re taking.

Finasteride safety information

The following safety information is intended to help you take finasteride as safely and effectively as possible. Please read it before taking finasteride to ensure it is safe for you to take.

How finasteride works

Finasteride works by reducing the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the hormone thought to be responsible for male pattern hair thinning and hair loss. By doing so, finasteride can help to reverse the balding process and prevent further hair loss.

Know the facts

The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority) has received reports of depression and, in rare cases, suicidal thoughts in men taking finasteride. If you develop symptoms of depression, you should immediately stop taking finasteride and inform a healthcare professional.

Cases of male breast cancer have been reported. If you notice any changes in breast tissue such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge, you should promptly report this to your doctor.

Finasteride can affect the results of a blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). If you have a PSA test done, you should inform your healthcare professional that you are taking finasteride.

Don’t take finasteride if

• You are a woman. Finasteride 1mg is only licensed for male pattern hair thinning and hair loss, and has been shown to be ineffective for hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in women.
• You are under the age of 18.
• You are already taking finasteride or any other 5ɑ-reductase inhibitor.
• You have had an allergic reaction to finasteride in the past.

Finasteride may not be suitable for you if:

• You are trying to conceive (have a baby) as finasteride may affect male fertility and foetal development. If your partner is already pregnant, use of a condom is recommended.
• You have an intolerance to lactose or other sugars, as finasteride film-coated tablets contain lactose.
• Finasteride 1mg should only be used by men over the age of 18 who have male-pattern hair thinning or hair loss. If you have any questions or aren’t sure whether you have any of the conditions listed above, please consult your doctor.

How to take finasteride

Take one tablet each day. Daily use for three to six months may be necessary before you notice any increase in hair density or reduction in hair loss. If the treatment is stopped, you are likely to lose the hair you have gained within 9-12 months.

Finasteride will not work faster or better if you take it more than once a day.

If you forget to take your tablet on a given day, do not take a double dose the next day.

Finasteride tablets can be taken with or without food.

Potential side effects of finasteride

If you experience any of the following serious (but uncommon) side effects, you should stop taking finasteride and seek urgent medical attention:

• An allergic reaction - symptoms include swelling of the lips, throat and eyelids, sudden difficulty in breathing or wheezing, dizziness, collapse, hives.
• Depression - feelings of severe sadness, hopelessness and unworthiness.

If you notice any changes in breast tissue such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge, you should promptly report this to your doctor as these may be symptoms of a serious condition such as male breast cancer.

Some uncommon side effects of finasteride (experienced by up to 1 in 100 people) are:

• Less desire to have sex.
• Erectile dysfunction (problems obtaining or maintaining an erection).
• Problems with ejaculation, for example a decrease in the amount of semen released.

If you experience these side effects to a significant extent, or if you notice any side effects not listed in your Patient Information Leaflet (which will arrive with your medication), you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Please make sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with your finasteride. It contains other important safety information as well as a complete list of possible side effects.