Finasteride is a prescription-only treatment that comes as a tablet. It is used to treat hair loss in men, but can also be used to treat an enlarged prostate at higher dosages. Finasteride is generic medication, which often means it is available at a lower cost than branded versions. One popular brand of finasteride is Propecia, which is used to treat hair loss. Another well known brand of finasteride is Proscar, which is used to treat enlarged prostates.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we only prescribe finasteride for hair loss.

How does finasteride work?

Finasteride reduces the amount of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. In male pattern balding, the hair follicles shrink. In these smaller hair follicles, DHT is found at high levels. However, when DHT is suppressed, it boosts hair growth and reduces hair loss on the head. It does not affect hair growth in other parts of the body.

You can buy finasteride as a topical cream that’s applied daily to the scalp. Like the tablet, it also helps to reduce hair loss and promote hair regrowth by lowering levels of DHT. It can be found in hair loss products that combine finasteride with topical minoxidil. Minoxidil is another hair loss treatment found in products like Regaine. This can be effective for maintaining hair regrowth once you stop taking the oral tablet.

Hair loss shampoos

Some anti-DHT shampoos contain the antifungal agent ketoconazole. Some studies show that combining finasteride tablets with such shampoos can better inhibit DHT that damages hair follicles and causes hair loss.

When taking finasteride, a 1mg dose per day is prescribed for hair loss treatment. This treatment is often prescribed long term, so you may choose to keep taking it for several months or years, as when you stop, the hair loss will likely start again.

Finasteride works by reducing the levels of DHT in your body. It prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT, which is a male hormone. If you have high levels of DHT, or if your hair follicles are very sensitive to it, the hair follicles may shrink and the hair falls out. This shrinkage also inhibits hair regrowth. This happens only on the scalp and does not affect hair growth in other parts of your body.

How long does it take for finasteride to work?

When taken as a tablet, finasteride is quickly absorbed into your bloodstream and will start blocking DHT production right away. It can take months to see a change in hair loss because it can take a long while for new hair to appear. If you start taking finasteride you will likely start noticing visible results in about 3 to 4 months.

In studies, about 40% of men were happy with the changes in their hair after one year. Hair thickness, amount of regrowth, and an improved hairline should be more obvious at this point. After 2 years, the percentage of men happy increased to 50% and at 5 years, was 60%. In some cases, there may be no signs of improvement, but not worsening of hair loss. If you do not see any change after a year, you should talk to your doctor. They may be able to advise an alternative, and also check for any other causes of hair loss.

Does finasteride work for a receding hairline?

Finasteride can slow down or stop further hair loss in the front of the scalp where the hairline is receding. By reducing a hormone called DHT in the body, finasteride can help maintain the hair you still have and may encourage some new hair to grow. However, results can vary from person to person, and how much hair grows back, if any, depends on how severe the hairline has receded and how your body responds to the medication.

Can finasteride regrow hair?

Finasteride can stimulate hair regrowth in some people. By lowering the levels of DHT, it can help reverse the thinning of hair follicles, which is a common cause of hair loss. This can lead to thicker hair and new growth for some individuals. It may take a few months of using finasteride regularly before you notice any changes. It's also important to keep using it to maintain any regrowth you achieve.

Does finasteride thicken hair?

Finasteride can make hair appear thicker for people experiencing hair loss. By reducing DHT levels, it helps prevent hair follicles from getting smaller, which can make hair look thin. So, with continued use, existing hair may start to look thicker and fuller. Results can vary for each person, and some may see more improvement than others. It also takes time to see the effects of finasteride, and you need to keep using it regularly to maintain any improvements in hair thickness.

When prescribed for male pattern hair loss, finasteride is taken once a day as a 1mg tablet. The container should be kept in a cool and dry place with the lid tightly closed.

Ensure that you stick to your daily schedule by:

• taking your tablet at the same time of day, each day
• swallowing each tablet whole with a full glass of water
• continuing to take your prescription even after visible results if you wish to maintain the improvement in your hair

How should I take finasteride?

Finasteride can be taken with or without food. If you forget to take your dose within 6 hours of the usual time, take it right away. If more than 6 hours have elapsed, skip the missed dose and wait to take the next one as usual. Do not double dose. It is best to monitor the condition of your scalp regularly. You can do this by taking pictures of your hairline and scalp. Tracking changes will let you know if the treatment is working for you, but be patient as it can take up to a year to see visible results.

When combined with minoxidil, finasteride may be more effective as they work in different ways. Minoxidil is a topical medication for promoting hair growth. If you have had serious hair loss, it could be helpful to combine the use of these remedies for better results. Adding on a hair loss shampoo can also help stop damage to hair follicles and promote regrowth. These treatments will not work for complete hair loss.

Can I take a higher dose for faster results?

No. Taking a higher dose of finasteride does not necessarily lead to faster or better results and may increase the risk of side effects. The effectiveness of finasteride in promoting hair growth has been studied at the standard dosage of 1mg, and deviating from the recommended dose may not provide any additional benefits.

What happens when I stop taking finasteride?

When you stop taking finasteride, the effects of the medication on hair growth and maintenance may gradually diminish over time. Finasteride works by stopping the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to hair loss. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps to slow down hair loss and promote hair regrowth. However, discontinuing finasteride can allow DHT levels to rise again, potentially leading to hair loss. The rate at which hair loss resumes can vary among individuals. Some people may experience a rapid return of hair loss, while others may notice a more gradual progression.

Finasteride relies on hair growth which is a slow and gradual process. Do not expect overnight results. Here is a timeline of what you should expect when taking finasteride:

1 to 3 months: DHT levels immediately start to drop by about 70%. This allows excess hair loss to stop and regrowth to begin. While there will be little or no visible signs of regrowth, excess hair loss should slow or stop. In some cases, some hair fall may still occur to make room for newer hair strands.

3 to 6 Months: Hair regrowth will be more visible around the scalp and hairline. Thinning should stop altogether and signs of recovery will be more obvious. Hair volume should be more visibly thicker with any bald patches beginning to fill up. 

1 year: This is when the most visible improvements will be seen. You should see improved hair regrowth, better hairline, thickness, and scalp healing. Improvement may continue past this mark with ongoing use of finasteride. Continued use, early treatment, and the age of the patient can help boost results. 

2 years: Continued use of finasteride is advised to stop DHT levels from rising again. Several studies have shown that sustained use of the medicine for several years will lead to continued improvement in hair growth. Some showed improvement after 5 years, though the results will differ depending on the type of hair loss. 

Finasteride is a prescription-only medication given in tablet form. You will need to consult with a doctor before you can take it. You can choose your treatment with us and have your order reviewed by one of our doctors, who will prescribe your treatment if appropriate.

Important: When you order a generic (non-branded) medication, it may arrive in different packaging or under a different name to what’s pictured or what you expect. This is because we order from a variety of different suppliers to make sure you always have your medication available when you need it. The medication you receive will contain the same ingredients and work in exactly the same way.

Can you buy finasteride online?

Yes. You can buy finasteride online with a prescription from a reputable source such as Superdrug Online Doctor.

Can you get finasteride over the counter?

No. Finasteride is only available with a prescription from a doctor

Is finasteride available on the NHS?

No. Finasteride for hair loss is only available on a private prescription. It is not available on the NHS.

Finasteride is generally considered safe for use in hair loss treatment. However, just like with any other medication, there are at times side effects that occur. Uncommon side effects include:

• reduced sex drive
• erectile dysfunction (ED)
• abnormal ejaculation
• feelings of depression

Side effects where the frequency is not known include:

• tender or swollen breasts and nipples
• discharge from the nipples
• lump in the breast or underarm
• testicular pain
• blood in the semen
• anxiety
• palpitations
• bloating in the face and extremities
• change in liver enzymes
• persistent reduced sex drive or erectile dysfunction even after stopping treatment
• male infertility or problems with semen

If you notice any changes in the chest wall such as a lump in your chest wall or under your arm, pain, or discharge from your nipple, you must report it to a doctor as this may be a sign of cancer, a possible serious side-effect.

If you have swelling of your lips or tongue, breathing difficulties, rashes, or difficulty swallowing, you must call 999 right away as you may be having a severe allergic reaction.

Finasteride shedding

Hair shedding may continue in the initial months of finasteride use. This may be due to new hair growth pushing out older hair. A syndrome called post finasteride syndrome (PFS) has been described, with some people saying it can occur during and after you stop using the treatment. It is claimed that it can result in multiple sexual, neurological, physical, and mental side effects, including memory loss.

Some side effects are temporary as the body adjusts to the use of finasteride. If symptoms persist or you have other concerns, or if you have depression or chest wall changes, you must consult with your doctor. If you have serious side effects or cannot tolerate your side effects, you may want to stop using finasteride. Consult your doctor about alternative treatment options like minoxidil.

How can I reduce the side effects of finasteride?

If you experience any of the side effects listed above from taking finasteride, you should speak to your doctor.

How long do side effects of finasteride last?

The duration of side effects from finasteride can vary among individuals. In most cases, any side effects experienced are temporary and tend to resolve over time as your body adjusts to the medication. For the majority of users, side effects, if present, typically diminish within a few weeks to a few months.

While finasteride can be effective in treating hair loss in men, there can be side effects. There are other options you can consider if you find finasteride unsuitable or too expensive. Here are some options and how they compare to finasteride.

Propecia

Propecia has the same active ingredient as finasteride and comes in tablet form that’s taken daily. This makes it just as effective and may also result in the same side effects.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is the active ingredient in an over the counter treatment called Regaine. Minoxidil can be used to treat both men and women suffering hair loss. The product comes in the form of a lotion, cream, or shampoo that is used on the scalp daily.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is sold under various brand names like Avodart. Like finasteride, it is used to treat the enlargement of the prostate by suppressing DHT. It is however not yet licensed for use in the UK for hair loss.

Finasteride is to be used only by men aged 18 years and over. Women and children should not be prescribed this treatment. It may also be unsafe to take finasteride under certain conditions.

Tell your doctor if you:

• have had allergic reactions to any medications, including finasteride

• have bladder or liver problems

• have a pregnant partner

Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin, so contact with crushed or broken tablets can endanger the health of the unborn baby. It can also get into semen, making condom use necessary if your partner is pregnant.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications before taking finasteride, as several medications interact with it.

While taking finasteride you can safely take paracetamol for pain relief. The side effects of reduced sex drive and erectile dysfunction may cause you to want to take Viagra as a solution. There are currently no reported interactions between the two medications.

Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker used to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. It can be prescribed alongside finasteride to relieve the symptoms of the condition but does not treat hair loss. Always consult your doctor before taking any other medication when using finasteride.

Can finasteride cause depression?

There have been reports of individuals experiencing changes in mood, including depression, while taking finasteride. However, it's important to note that depression as a side effect of finasteride is considered to be rare.

Can finasteride cause high blood pressure?

Finasteride is unlikely to affect your blood pressure if taken alone. However, if taken alongside other medications, it is possible that it could cause changes in blood pressure. You should always tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking before taking finasteride.

Does finasteride affect your fertility?

Some test results have shown that some men taking finasteride had either poor sperm quality or were infertile. However, this is not a common side effect and if you stop taking finasteride your sperm will normally return to normal.

Can finasteride cause weight gain?

There is no significant evidence to suggest that finasteride causes weight gain as a common side effect. However, it's important to note that individual responses to medications can vary, and some people may experience changes in weight while taking finasteride.

Can finasteride cause permanent erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is an uncommon side effect of finasteride, and if experienced will usually pass after a while. If erectile dysfunction as a result of taking finasteride does not go away, speak to your doctor.

Why does finasteride cause hair shedding?

You may experience continued hair shedding when you first start taking finasteride. This is normally due to new hairs growing and pushing out older hair. If your hair shedding does not stop, you should speak to your doctor.

Does finasteride lower your testosterone?

No.Finasteride works by blocking an enzyme which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This results in increased levels of testosterone.