Finasteride 1mg Tablets for Hair Loss

Finsteride tablets explained

Finasteride is designed to help men with mild to moderate male pattern baldness not only stop their hair loss, but start to regrow their hair.  This makes finasteride tablets a great way for men with a thinning or receding hairline to get their confidence back. 

How finasteride tablets work

Finasteride tablets belong to a group of medicines known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. They work by blocking the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.  

By preventing the formation of DHT, finasteride helps to reverse the balding process, increase hair growth, and prevent further hair loss. 

Finasteride vs Propecia 

Finasteride is the active ingredient in the brand-name hair loss treatment Propecia. 

This means that Propecia and generic finasteride tablets work in the same way and can be just as effective as one another. However, finasteride tablets are typically cheaper than their brand-name equivalent. 

How long does finasteride take to work? 

Finasteride usually takes around 3-6 months of daily use before you notice a difference in your hair thickness, or a reduction in hair loss. The peak results are normally then seen after around a year of consistent daily use. 

This means you may need to be patient with your finasteride treatment. If you’re unsure about your progress, you can always check in with your doctor or pharmacist.  

How to take finasteride tablets  

Always take finasteride exactly as described in the patient information leaflet, or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you aren’t sure how to take your finasteride tablets, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.  

The recommended dose for finasteride is one 1mg tablet a day. You should swallow the tablet whole – do not crush or break the tablet. Finasteride tablets can be taken with or without food.  

Your hair will not grow back faster, or more effectively, if you take more than one tablet a day. So, stick to the recommended dose. If you accidentally take more than one tablet, contact your doctor as soon as possible.  

Side effects

Like all medicines, Finasteride may cause side effects in some people, but these won’t affect everybody. Common side effects may include: 

• low sex drive
• difficulty maintaining or getting an erection (impotence) 
• issues with ejaculation
• mild allergic reactions
• breast swelling or tenderness
• heart palpitations or a rapid heartbeat
• pain in the testicles 
• a change in how your liver is working (this shows up in blood tests)
• anxiety

If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme. Or you can inform your doctor or pharmacist, and they can do this on your behalf.  

Serious side effects

Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of a severe allergic reaction, symptoms of which include swelling of the face and throat, skin rash, breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness. 

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking this medicine immediately and seek medical advice straight away: 

• depression, or a change in mood 
• changes in the breast e.g. lumps, pain, enlargement, discharge 

You might also experience sexual side effects, such as loss of libido and erectile dysfunction, that persist for some time after the treatment has stopped. This is known as post-finasteride syndrome, and can be treated with a range of options to target your specific symptoms.  

Warnings

Finasteride may be unsuitable for certain people. Do not take these tablets if you: 

• are allergic to any of the ingredients 
• are female 
• were assigned female at birth 

This product is also not suitable for anyone under 18 years old. 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are going to have a test for prostate cancer (PSA). Finasteride can affect the results of this test. 

You should also talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously had depression, and they can recommend whether finasteride is still the right treatment for your needs.  

This product contains lactose. If you have an intolerance to certain sugars, talk to your healthcare provider before taking it.  

Pregnancy 

Avoid handling finasteride tablets, especially if they are crushed or broken, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Finasteride may affect the sexual development of an unborn baby. If you are pregnant and come into contact with these tablets, you must contact your healthcare provider straight away. 

Using/taking other medicines

If you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including medication obtained without a prescription, talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking this product. 

Fertility risks

Infertility has been reported in some men who have taken Finasteride for an extended period of time, especially if they have other risk factors that could affect their fertility levels, such as:

• smoking 
• taking recreational drugs 
• obesity 
• trauma to the testicles 
• certain chronic illnesses

Important information 

This product is a medicine. Make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk. 

If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. 

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children. 

Please read the included leaflet carefully before taking this product. 

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product. 

Please be aware that the brand may vary for this item.