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Finasteride - Hair loss treatment
  • 1 tablet taken daily
  • Halts hair loss for 9 out of 10 men 
  • Can promote hair regrowth in some men

Finasteride (generic Propecia)

An effective generic treatment for hair loss caused by male pattern baldness. Taken as a daily tablet. It works for 90% of men when taken continuously, halting hair loss and in some cases stimulating regrowth.

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Finasteride - Hair loss treatment

Generic treatment

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Alternative treatment: Propecia

  • 1 tablet taken daily
  • Halts hair loss for 9 out of 10 men 
  • Can promote hair regrowth in some men

Generic or branded treatments?

Some treatments contain the same active ingredient but are sold under different names. If the active ingredient and the dosage are the same, the treatments will have the same effect and work in the same way. 

Generic Branded
Same active ingredient
Works in the same way
Often less expensive

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What is Finasteride used for?

  • How does Finasteride work?

    The active ingredient in Finasteride (finasteride) blocks the action of an enzyme that converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the hormone that causes male hair loss.

    By reducing the amount of DHT affecting follicles in the scalp, Finasteride helps to halt hair loss and, in some cases, reverse it.

    Finasteride only stimulates hair growth on the head and will not cause hair to grow elsewhere on the body.

  • How effective is Finasteride?

    For most men, Finasteride takes 3-6 months of daily use to show effects. The active ingredient (finasteride) has been shown to be effective in preventing hair loss in men in 9 out of 10 cases. In some cases, men experience hair regrowth.

    If you stop taking Finasteride, your hair loss will return. Finasteride is most effective in men with mild to moderate hair loss on the top of their head caused by male pattern baldness. There is little evidence that it is effective in reversing a receding hairline.

    Finasteride will not work faster or better if you take more that 1 tablet a day.

  • Does Finasteride work in all men?

    Like with most medications, certain treatments may work for some people and not for others. A study into hair loss has found that taking Finasteride halts hair loss for 83% of men, and that over 2 years 66% of men will see regrowth. Another study found that over 5 years, continuous usage of Finasteride can help halt hair loss for as many as 90% of men. 

  • How do I take Finasteride?

    Take 1 tablet of Finasteride each day. Can be taken with or without food.

    You must continue to take Finasteride for the treatment to work.

  • What's the dosage for Finasteride?

    Finasteride is taken in a 1mg dosage in the form of a tablet daily. 

  • How long should I take Finasteride for?

    You will need to continue with your treatment for as long as you would like to slow your hair loss. Once you stop taking Finasteride you hair loss will continue. 

  • How long does it take to see the results of Finasteride?

    Results won’t be instant. Generally you will need to take Finasteride daily for 3-6 months before you start to see any change in your hair loss. You should continue taking Finasteride for at least a year to confirm whether it is effective for you.

  • What happens if you stop taking Finasteride?

    Even if you experience extremely positive results, with a slowing of hair loss and even hair regrowth, you must continue to take Finasteride to maintain the effect.

  • Finasteride side effects

    Side effects of Finasteride are uncommon and usually mild.

    Sometimes Finasteride can cause a rash, reduced sex drive, low mood, erection problems or tenderness on or around the nipples. Very rarely, sexual side effects can be permanent and remain after stopping the medication.

    For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, contact us via your Patient Record.

  • Does Finasteride cause depression?

    There have been very rare reports of depression associated with Finasteride. If you experience any of these symptoms stop taking Finasteride and contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.

  • Can I buy Finasteride online?

    You can request and pay for a Finasteride prescription online. As Finasteride is a prescription only medication, even when using an online doctor, you will need a prescription before you buy Finasteride.  You should never buy Finasteride without a prescription from a regulated online doctor service with professionally qualified and registered clinicians.

    When using our service you will need to complete a hair loss consultation, and if suitable, one of our clinicians will prescribe the treatment. You can then pay for your prescription online.  

  • What is the difference between Propecia and Finasteride?

    Propecia and Finasteride contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way to treat hair loss. Finasteride is simply the generic version of Propecia, meaning it can be a more cost effective alternative. 

  • What can cause hair loss?

    Hair loss is relatively common and is usually nothing to worry about, but simply a part of ageing. Male or female pattern baldness is usually hereditary and permanent (although it can be slowed down with treatment). Other reasons for hair loss such as illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or an iron deficiency are likely to cause temporary hair loss.

  • Early signs of hair loss

    In most cases the begins, at first, to thin at the temples. At the same time as thi, the hair might become thin on the top of the head, developing a bald patch at the back of the head. The receding hair line and bald patches get bigger and join together, leaving a patch at the front. 

  • Does Finasteride work in women with hair loss?

    Finasteride is for male hair loss only and is not suitable for women. Find out more about hair loss treatment for women. 

  • Important information about Finasteride

    If you forget to take Finasteride, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not take more than 1 tablet in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablet.

  • Safety: taking other medicines with Finasteride

    You should be able to take Finasteride alongside other medicines. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Finasteride safely.

  • Alternative hair loss treatments

    We also offer Propecia in our hair loss clinic. However, this contains the same dose of the same active ingredient (finasteride) as generic Finasteride. This means they work in the same way.

    Other hair loss treatments such as Minoxidil (also sold branded as Regaine) are available from LloydsPharmacy either in store or online.

    Other options include hair transplants, skin camouflage and wigs or hairpieces.

  • Can Finasteride be used to treat anything else other than hair loss?

    Finasteride can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is a condition caused by an enlarged prostate and can cause problems with urination (e.g. waking up at night to urinate, slow start and slow flow when urinating). The dose of Finasteride for BPH is 5mg, whereas for hair loss it’s 1mg. 

Other hair loss treatments

More advice about hair loss

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    Authors and editors

    • Reviewed and updated by

      Dr Sameer Sanghvi
      GMC number: 7085078
      Date updated: 21st Aug 2020

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