Finasteride Tablets

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. If finasteride is being taken for hair loss treatment, it is not covered by the NHS.

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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

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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