Finasteride



Finasteride
Effectively treat male pattern baldness with finasteride:
- Stops hair loss in up to 9 out of 10 men.
- Promotes hair regrowth with just one tablet per day.
- Cheaper generic version of Propecia.
Product details
Finasteride is a highly effective, prescription-only hair-loss treatment for male pattern baldness, with a success rate of up to 90%.
Finasteride works to stop hair loss and encourage new hair growth. It is the generic version of Propecia, which means it works in exactly the same way – it just has a different name, price, and packaging.
If you think finasteride is right for you, you can request it from Superdrug Online Doctor without the fuss of waiting times, and the need for a face-to-face appointment. Simply complete a short online health questionnaire for our doctors to review. If approved, your order will be delivered to your address or made available for collection from your local Superdrug Pharmacy in as little as 2 hours after a doctor’s approval.

Medically reviewed by
Dr. IkejiLast reviewed: 29 Jan 2025
Finasteride prices
Pack Size | Price |
---|---|
1 mg - 28 tablet(s) | £27.00 |
1 mg - 56 tablet(s) | £54.00 |
1 mg - 84 tablet(s) | £79.00 |
1 mg - 168 tablet(s) | £137.00 |
Delivery Options
How it Works




With Superdrug Online Doctor you can message our Doctors for FREE via your patient account.
About Finasteride
What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a 1mg tablet available on prescription to treat and prevent male pattern baldness. It is a generic form of Propecia, and the active ingredient is effective for up to 90% of men who take it.
Finasteride belongs to a class of medications called type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which lower the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your scalp, the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss.
Finasteride tablets should be taken once a day. Visible results are noticeable after 3 months in some men. These are not the same as finasteride 5mg tablets that are used to treat an enlarged prostate. Finasteride 1mg tablets are manufactured by Milpharm LTD.
How does finasteride work?
Finasteride works to stop hair loss in men by reducing the levels of DHT in your scalp. It does this by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, reversing the hair loss process and even encouraging new hair growth.
In male pattern hair loss, DHT causes the hair follicles to decrease in size until they no longer produce hair. By reducing how much DHT you have, finasteride can slow down or stop this process while you’re taking it.
How long does finasteride take to work?
Most men see some improvement in their symptoms in 3 to 6 months. You will not see results overnight as it can take a while to work.
Finasteride works best when it’s taken long-term and it will only work for as long as you take it. So, when you stop finasteride treatment, the effects will slowly reverse, usually within a year.
How effective is finasteride?
Finasteride is effective for up to 90% of men. Research shows that after 5 years of treatment with 1mg of finasteride tablets daily:
- 48% of men were rated as having improved hair growth
- a further 42% were found to have no additional hair loss
Will taking a higher dose be more effective?
No, only 1mg of finasteride per day is recommended for treating male pattern baldness and taking a higher dose will not make it more effective. Instead, it may increase the risk of side effects.
Finasteride 5mg tablets are available but these are prescribed for the treatment of an enlarged prostate in men, not for hair loss.
Never take a higher dose of finasteride than you have been prescribed by your doctor.
How to take and use finasteride
Take 1 whole finasteride tablet per day, with or without food.
How much finasteride should I take?
Only swallow one 1mg finasteride tablet per day. It will not be more effective or work faster if you take a higher dose. Only take as much finasteride as you have been prescribed.
What if I miss a dose of finasteride?
If you have missed your finasteride dose and it is:
- less than 6 hours since you should have taken it, take it as soon as you remember
- more than 6 hours since your dose was due, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled one at the usual time
Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you find you are regularly forgetting to take finasteride, it may be helpful to set an alarm on your phone to remind you.
What if I take too much finasteride?
If you take more finasteride than you have been prescribed, you should contact your doctor straight away for further advice. Taking too much finasteride will not improve hair growth, but it can increase your chance of getting side effects.
How long do I need to take finasteride for?
Finasteride works best when it is taken long-term because once you stop taking it, its effects will be reversed. Your doctor will advise how long you should take it for, but research has studied it for 5 years for its effectiveness.
What happens when I stop taking finasteride?
If you stop taking finasteride, your hair loss symptoms are likely to return within 9 to 12 months. Finasteride has a half-life of 5 to 7 hours, meaning half of the medication will leave your body within this time. So, if you’re having side effects, these should improve within a few days once you stop. It takes around 30 days for your DHT levels to increase back to normal after stopping finasteride.
Where can I buy finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription-only medication so you will need a doctor's prescription to obtain it from a pharmacy. It is also available with a private prescription from reputable online services like Superdrug Online Doctor, but it is not available over the counter.
Can I buy finasteride online?
Yes, finasteride can be requested from Superdrug Online Doctor and is available for next-day home delivery or collection from your local Superdrug Pharmacy.
To request finasteride online:
- Complete a short online questionnaire.
- Sign up or log in to your account.
- Submit your treatment request.
- A doctor will check your request to see if treatment is right for you.
- If your request is approved, your treatment can be posted to you or a local Superdrug Pharmacy for collection.
Can I buy finasteride over the counter?
No, you need a prescription to obtain finasteride, so it is not available over the counter.
If you are looking for over-the-counter hair loss treatments, Regaine and Alpecin are available, but they do not contain finasteride.
Can I get finasteride on the NHS?
No, finasteride 1mg tablets for hair loss are not available on the NHS. It is only available with a private prescription. An NHS doctor can give you a private prescription for finasteride but you will still need to pay full price for your medication, not the standard NHS prescription charge.
Finasteride side effects
Uncommon finasteride side effects that can affect up to 1 in 100 people are:
- erectile dysfunction
- low sex drive
- ejaculation issues
Other finasteride side effects where the frequency is unknown include:
- breast swelling and tenderness
- testicular pain
- blood in semen
- heart palpitations
- persistent erection issues even when you stop treatment
- persistent loss of interest in sex even after you stop treatment
- male infertility and/or poor semen quality
- liver dysfunction
- anxiety
- suicidal thoughts
Most people won’t get side effects when taking finasteride. If you do get side effects, your doctor can help you manage them.
How long do finasteride side effects last?
Some finasteride side effects are usually temporary and wear off as your body gets used to the medication or when you stop taking it. If you have any side effects that continue once you stop taking finasteride, speak to your doctor.
What to do if you get finasteride side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, you should stop taking finasteride and seek urgent medical attention:
- an allergic reaction such as swelling lips, face, tongue, and throat, difficulty swallowing, hives, and breathing issues
- depression
- changes in breast tissue, such as lumps, pain, enlargement, or discharge
If you experience any other side effects that you are concerned about, get in touch with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
Finasteride warnings
Do not take finasteride if you are:
- a woman
- already taking finasteride or dutasteride for an enlarged prostate
- allergic to any of the ingredients in finasteride
You should let your doctor know before taking finasteride if you are going to have a blood test called a PSA test to check for prostate cancer as finasteride may affect the result.
Finasteride and other medications
Finasteride does not usually interact with other medications, but you must not take it if you are already taking finasteride or dutasteride.
Before you take finasteride, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications.
Finasteride alternatives
Finasteride isn’t the only hair loss treatment available for men. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we also offer:
This contains the active ingredient finasteride and is available as tablets in the same dosage and works in the same way as generic finasteride. The only difference is Propecia is a branded version.
An over-the-counter hair loss treatment that contains minoxidil, which is applied directly to the scalp to promote hair growth.
An over-the-counter daily caffeine shampoo that works by activating and energising hair growth from the roots.
Finasteride vs dutasteride
Finasteride and dutasteride work in a similar way to prevent hair loss in men by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT in the scalp. Some research shows that dutasteride is more effective at improving hair loss in men. However, dutasteride is not licensed or available as a hair loss treatment in the UK.
Finasteride vs Propecia
Finasteride and Propecia are the same medication except Propecia is a branded version of generic finasteride. The 1mg tablets are available in the UK to treat male pattern baldness and work in the same way. Because finasteride is generic, it is cheaper and may be more affordable as a long-term treatment for this reason.
Finasteride FAQs
Is finasteride safe?
Finasteride is generally considered safe for hair loss at a daily 1mg dose as long as it’s been prescribed by a doctor. Many men take it every day for months or years without experiencing any problems.
There have been rare reports of men developing breast cancer when they take finasteride. If you develop any symptoms of breast cancer such as any lumps, pain, or swelling in the chest area or any discharge from your nipples, you should contact your doctor straight away.
Does finasteride regrow hair?
Yes, finasteride may encourage hair growth if you have not already permanently lost your hair. In a 48-week-long trial, finasteride promoted a 47% increase in hair growth.
Can women take finasteride?
No, finasteride is not suitable for women. If you are a woman and are experiencing hair loss, explore our hair loss treatments for women.
Can you take finasteride for life?
Yes, finasteride is considered safe for long-term use and many men take it for years without experiencing any problems.
Does finasteride lower testosterone?
No, finasteride does not lower your testosterone levels but it blocks the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase which converts testosterone into DHT. DHT causes hair loss and thinning hair in men with male pattern hair loss.
Does finasteride cause shedding?
Yes, some men experience hair shedding during the first few months of use. This is normal and nothing to worry about and is normally a sign that the medication is working.
Does finasteride thicken hair?
Yes, finasteride can thicken hair, improving the way it looks.
Sources
- About finasteride, NHS [accessed 04 January 2025]
- Changes in hair weight in men with androgenetic alopecia after treatment with finasteride (1 mg daily): three- and 4-year results, PubMed [accessed 04 January 2025]
- Common questions about finasteride, NHS [accessed 04 January 2025]
- Finasteride, emc [accessed 04 January 2025]
- Finasteride, NICE [accessed 04 January 2025]
- How and when to take finasteride, NHS [accessed 04 January 2025]
- Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Dutasteride versus Finasteride in Patients with Male Androgenic Alopecia in South Korea: A Multicentre Chart Review Study, PubMed [accessed 04 January 2025]