Finasteride has a high success rate in men with mild to moderate hair loss. Finasteride is an ideal hair loss treatment for those who prefer the convenience of only needing to take one tablet a day to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth. It works well as a receding hairline treatment, it’s clinically proven, and it’s also a popular hair loss solution for those who have tried minoxidil but did not get the results they wanted.
The 1mg dose of Finasteride counteracts the progression of male pattern baldness. Finasteride stops further hair loss and promotes hair regrowth for 90% of men who take it for 12 months or more, according to clinical trials. In many cases of men using Finasteride to treat male pattern baldness, a significant number of them not only slowed the progression of the hair loss but also noticed substantial increase in hair regrowth.
Finasteride works to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that normally converts testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), lowering the levels of DHT in the scalp. DHT is a naturally occurring molecule that interacts with hair follicles in a way that causes the growth phase of the hair cycle to gradually decrease. This shrinks the follicle resulting in thinner, shorter hairs until the growth phase is so short that the hairs don’t grow from the scalp at all. This helps to reverse the balding process, and contributes to increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss.
Finasteride may need to be taken for at least 3 months before the benefits of the treatment begin to show. Ideally you should continue taking Finasteride for at least a year to confirm whether it is effective for you. If it has not been effective within 12 months, continuation with the treatment is unlikely to work. Like most hair loss treatments, if you stop taking the medicine it is likely that you will lose any hair that you have gained from the treatment within 12 months of stopping.
Finasteride is taken in a 1mg dosage in the form of a tablet daily. It can be taken with or without food. You should take Finasteride at the same time every day with a full glass of water. It is important that you take it regularly to see the long-term benefits, so it is a good idea to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Once you stop taking Finasteride your hair loss will continue. 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.
Always use this medication exactly as your clinician has told you. Check with our clinical team or your GP or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Some uncommon side effects of finasteride include:
- Itch or rash
- Testicular pain
- Breast tenderness
- 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.
For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If any side effects concern you, or you are experiencing any of the side effects mentioned in the patient information leaflet whilst taking this medication, please contact our clinical team or speak to your GP.
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.
There have been rare reports that these medicines can also cause depression and suicidal thoughts. Please note if you develop mental health problems whilst taking this medication consult your doctor immediately.
There is a potential risk to a foetus in pregnant women. If your partner is pregnant, or might be pregnant, you must use condoms. And she must not handle the tablets. If your partner is trying to get pregnant, you must not use these tablets.
Do not use Finasteride if you:
- Are a woman.
- Suffer from a problem with blood pressure.
- Don't know why you're losing your hair- see your doctor.
- Have sudden or patchy hair loss.
- Have other conditions associated with your hair loss.
- Have a red, inflamed, irritated, infected or painful scalp, or shaven head.
- Have a dressing or bandage on your scalp.
- Are using other medications on your scalp.
- Have any other scalp condition.
- Are sensitive to any ingredients in this medicine.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to this medication. These include:
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Fast or pounding heartbeats
- Wheezing
- Difficult breathing
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
It is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are currently taking. You must also tell us about any other medical conditions that you currently have (or had in the past). This will help us ensure the prescribed medication is safe and appropriate for you to take.
For full information on warnings, medication interactions and contraindications, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet. Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform our clinical team or your GP of medicines you are taking or intend to take.
