Hair Loss Bundle (Oral Minoxidil 2.5mg Tablets & Finasteride 1mg Tablet)

Buy finasteride and minoxidil tablets

You can buy finasteride and minoxidil tablets as long as they've been approved and prescribed by one of our clinicians.

If you're dealing with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), combining finasteride and oral minoxidil tackles your hair loss from two different angles at once.

Finasteride blocks the hormone causing your hair loss, while minoxidil works to stimulate and sustain new hair growth. Together, they're one of the most effective hair loss treatments for men available.

Can you use finasteride and minoxidil together?

Yes, finasteride and minoxidil can be used together as the way they treat hair loss is different, meaning they complement each other rather than overlap.

Finasteride

Finasteride treats the cause of male pattern baldness. It belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which block the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

DHT is the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles in male pattern baldness. By reducing your DHT levels, finasteride helps to slow hair loss and can, for many men, reverse it. It only works while you're taking it, though, so it's a long-term commitment.

Minoxidil

It's thought that minoxidil works as a vasodilator, gently widening the blood vessels in your scalp so more oxygen and nutrients can reach your hair follicles. This helps wake up dormant follicles and keeps active ones in their growing phase for longer.

It's important to note that minoxidil tablets were originally developed to treat high blood pressure, so they're prescribed for hair loss off-label. This means using a medicine for a different reason than it was originally licensed for.

Off‑label prescribing is common, safe, and allowed in the UK when supported by evidence and the prescriber feels it’s the best option for you.

Who can use this bundle?

This bundle is suitable for adult men with male pattern baldness, the type of hair loss caused by genetics and DHT sensitivity.

We can't prescribe this bundle for:

• stress-based hair loss (telogen effluvium)
• patchy hair loss (alopecia areata)
• anyone under 18
• treating hair loss in women (including menopausal hair loss and postpartum hair loss)

How quickly do finasteride and minoxidil tablets work?

Most people start noticing a difference in hair thickness or a reduction in hair loss after around three to six months of daily use. Peak results from finasteride typically come after about a year of consistent use, while minoxidil tends to show its best results at around nine months.

These treatments aren’t a quick fix, so it’s important to be patient with your progress. If you're unsure about your results at any point, you can always check in with your prescriber.

How effective are finasteride and minoxidil tablets?

Finasteride and minoxidil are very effective at treating hair loss on their own, and even more so when used together.

A UK retrospective study looked at 502 men taking oral minoxidil (2.5mg) and finasteride (1mg) together over 12 months.

The results were encouraging:

• 92% of men saw their hair loss stabilise or improve
• 57% saw a marked improvement in hair density

Of course, it’s important to note that individual results vary and can depend on genetics, how early you start, and how consistently you take the treatment.

How to take minoxidil and finasteride tablets

Take one of each tablet once a day, at the same time every day. Both can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with water. Don't crush or break either tablet.

Your hair loss won’t improve faster if you take more than the recommended dose, so always stick to one of each per day. If you accidentally take too much, contact your prescriber as soon as possible.

What happens if you miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, don't double up. Just skip it and continue at your next scheduled time.

Potential side effects

Oral minoxidil side effects

Common minoxidil side effects may include:

• increased heart rate
• inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart
• abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)
• increased hair growth
• hair colour changes

Minoxidil can cause dizziness, especially when first started or your dose is increased. Don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.

For further information on side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Finasteride side effects

Common finasteride 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

For further information on side effects, including potentially serious side effects like post-finasteride syndrome (PFS), please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Are side effects worse when minoxidil and finasteride tablets are taken together?

Taking both minoxidil and finasteride together is considered safe and effective, and it doesn't typically make the side effects of either medication more severe. That's because they work through different mechanisms in the body.

That said, because you're taking two treatments, you could experience side effects from both at the same time.

Your clinician will review your health and medical history before prescribing them to ensure it’s suitable for you. Remember, if you’re struggling with any side effects, always speak to your prescriber for advice.

When to avoid taking finasteride and minoxidil tablets

• Don’t take these tablets if you’re allergic to finasteride, minoxidil, or any of the other listed ingredients.
• Don't take these tablets if you’re female, or were assigned female at birth.
• These tablets are unsuitable for those under the age of 18.
• Don’t take minoxidil tablets if you have high blood pressure caused by a hormonal tumour (phaeochromocytoma), or you have heart failure or significant cardiovascular disease.
• Always tell your prescriber if you’re taking/using any other medicines.
• If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, avoid handling finasteride tablets, especially if they're crushed or broken. Finasteride can affect the sexual development of an unborn baby. If you come into contact with these tablets while pregnant, contact your healthcare provider straight away.
• Infertility has been reported in some men taking finasteride for an extended period, particularly those with other risk factors like smoking, obesity, recreational drug use, or certain chronic illnesses.

Storage information

Keep your minoxidil and finasteride tablets in a cool, dry place, out of sight and reach from children. Don't use them after the expiry date printed on the packaging, and don't dispose of them via household waste or wastewater.

Alternatives to finasteride and minoxidil tablets bundle

There are other ways to treat male pattern baldness if this bundle isn't right for you, like:

• Oral minoxidil: You can take oral minoxidil on its own as a standalone hair loss treatment.
• Topical minoxidil: Available as a foam or spray under brands like Regaine and Sons, topical minoxidil can be used on its own or alongside finasteride tablets if oral minoxidil isn't suitable for you.
• Finasteride tablets: Also sold under the brand name Propecia, finasteride can be taken on its own if you'd prefer to start with a single treatment.
• Hair loss bundle (minoxidil 5% spray & finasteride 1mg tablet): Another hair loss bundle that contains both a tablet and a topical product to tackle hair loss from two different angles.
• Caffeine shampoo: Like Alpecin, it’s a gentler, topical option that may help with hair loss by stimulating the roots, though it doesn't have the same clinical evidence behind it as finasteride or minoxidil.

Frequently asked questions about oral minoxidil and finasteride

What are the ‘big three’ for thinning hair?

The ‘big three’ is a term used in hair loss communities to describe finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole shampoo (like Nizoral). The idea is that by tackling hair loss from multiple angles, it gives the best results.

However, ketoconazole is an antifungal shampoo that’s used to treat scaly scalp conditions like dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, not hair loss. We don't recommend it for hair loss.

Is minoxidil pointless without finasteride?

Not at all. Minoxidil works effectively on its own and has helped many men slow hair loss and regrow hair. That said, for male pattern baldness driven by DHT, pairing it with finasteride addresses the underlying cause too, which is why the combined approach tends to produce better results.

Can I skip minoxidil for three days?

Missing the occasional dose won't undo your progress, but minoxidil works best with consistent daily use. Its effect on the hair growth cycle depends on it being present regularly, so skipping doses often will likely reduce how well it works overtime.

Can finasteride and minoxidil tablets be used for beard growth?

No, this bundle is only suitable for hair loss on the head. If you're looking for beard growth treatments, speak to one of our clinicians who can help point you in the right direction.

Sources

• About Finasteride. (2023). NHS. [Accessed 17th March 2026].
• Effectiveness of Combined Oral Minoxidil and Finasteride in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Retrospective Service Evaluation. (2025). PMC. [Accessed 17th March 2026].
• Fertility and Pregnancy While Taking Finasteride. (2023). NHS. [Accessed 17th March 2026].