- Prescription hair loss treatment, no doctor’s appointment needed.
- Take just one finasteride tablet a day.
- Effective for 90% of men in halting hair loss and promoting regrowth.
- Generic alternative to Propecia.
- Works well when used alongside minoxidil.
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Buy finasteride tablets
You can buy finasteride 1mg tablets as long as they've been approved and prescribed by one of our clinicians.
Finasteride is designed to help men with mild to moderate male pattern baldness, not only to stop hair loss but also to help regrow hair. This makes finasteride tablets a great option for men with a thinning or receding hairline to regain their confidence.
How finasteride tablets work
Finasteride tablets belong to a group of medicines known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. They work by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia.
By preventing the formation of DHT, finasteride helps to reverse the balding process, increase hair growth, and prevent further hair loss. This is why finasteride may be prescribed for alopecia caused by male pattern baldness, rather than other types of 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 1mg tablets work in the same way and can be just as effective as one another. However, generic finasteride tablets are typically cheaper than their brand-name equivalent.
How effective is finasteride?
Studies have shown that finasteride is 90% effective in treating hair loss in men, provided the treatment is taken consistently.
And that’s not just about halting hair loss. A study in 1999 showed that 66% of men using finasteride saw hair regrowth after using the treatment for two years.
How long does finasteride 1mg take to work?
Finasteride 1mg tablets usually take 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.
Who can use finasteride?
Finasteride is only suitable for men experiencing hereditary hair loss, also known as male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride isn’t used to treat every type of alopecia or hair loss.
Finasteride won’t be prescribed if you are experiencing:
- stress-based hair loss (telogen effluvium)
- patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)
- menopausal hair loss
- postpartum hair loss
How to take finasteride tablets
You should take one finasteride 1mg tablet a day. Swallow the tablet whole – do not crush or break it. Finasteride tablets can be taken with or without food.
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.
Finasteride dosages explained
The recommended dose of finasteride is 1mg once daily. 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.
Finasteride 1mg 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 (erectile dysfunction or 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, a change in mood, or thoughts of suicide
- changes in the breast, e.g. lumps, pain, enlargement, discharge
Any sexual side effects, like loss of libido and erectile dysfunction symptoms, may also continue after the treatment has been stopped. This is known as post-finasteride syndrome, and can be treated with a range of options to target your specific symptoms.
When to avoid finasteride
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.
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
What happens when you stop taking finasteride?
If you stop taking finasteride, you will likely lose the hair growth you’d seen during your treatment. Your hair loss will then continue at the pace seen before you started taking the medication.
If you want to safely stop taking this medication, speak to your doctor so you can work out a plan of action together.
Alternatives to finasteride
There are several alternatives to finasteride if you decide it isn’t for you. These include minoxidil spray, caffeine shampoos (such as Alpecin), and lifestyle changes, like upping your protein intake.
Should I use finasteride with minoxidil?
Yes, you can use finasteride alongside minoxidil to treat hair loss. Since they work in different ways, combining finasteride tablets with a minoxidil spray can be an effective way to promote hair regrowth. However, you don’t have to mix finasteride and minoxidil in order for the former to work.
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Does finasteride lower testosterone?
No, finasteride doesn't lower testosterone. In fact, it actually causes a slight increase in testosterone levels when used to treat male pattern baldness. This is because it blocks testosterone from converting to DHT, meaning more of it remains in your body in its original form.
Finasteride 1mg Tablets for Hair Loss Reviews
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