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Man suffering from hair loss

Same Day Order & Collect
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You can collect your medication in-store the same day (at any Superdrug store that has a pharmacy) or have it posted to you. All medicines are dispatched centrally from the Superdrug Pharmacy. More Information »

Why Superdrug?
  • Free Delivery
  • No dispensing fees
  • GMC Registered Doctors

Hair Loss Treatment

Effective prescription treatment for hair loss

Use our online consultation to obtain a prescription and medication for hair loss treatment. Our doctor will check whether you can use a hair loss medication and approve an appropriate treatment.

We offer the prescription treatment Propecia, which is not available on the NHS.

We also offer the non-prescription treatments Regaine and Alpecin shampoo.

If you are unsure which treatment to order, you may wish to book a telephone consultation with one of our doctors.

Use our online assessment to order treatment. A Superdrug Online Doctor will review your order and approve appropriate treatment.

Start Consultation

Medication Pack Size Price
Propecia®1 month / 28 tablets£59.00
Propecia®3 month / 84 tablets£130.00
Propecia®6 month / 168 tablets£240.00
Generic Finasteride1 month / 28 tablets£37.00
Generic Finasteride3 month / 84 tablets£90.00
Generic Finasteride6 month / 168 tablets£165.00

Dispensing and standard delivery included.
Click & Collect: free (available for collection the same day in Superdrug Pharmacies)
Next Day Delivery: £3.99

How our service works

Placing your order
  • Complete a short questionnaire about your health. 
  • Order and pay for your hair loss treatment. 
  • A Superdrug Online Doctor will review your order and approve appropriate treatment.
Delivery information
  • Orders received before 4pm will be sent out the same day. Orders received after 4pm will be sent out the next working day.
  • Your treatment will be posted to you via your choice of first class or next day delivery.
  • Someone will need to sign for the delivery, otherwise it will be held at your local post office.
  • The treatment arrives in plain, discreet packaging.
  • Order & Collect (our same day in-store pick up service) is also available in selected Superdrug stores.

Please note when ordering a generic medication: We may use a range of manufacturers in order to provide you with your medication in a timely manner. 

Side effects

Side effects are uncommon but can include:

  • Itch or rash
  • Problems with ejaculation
  • Testicular pain
  • Breast tenderness
  • Depressed mood – please note if you develop mental health problems whilst taking this medication consult your doctor immediately

In a few (less than 2%) men there has been a sexual side effect such as less desire for sex, difficulties in achieving an erection or a decrease in the amount of semen. These side effects went away in men who stopped taking Propecia.

Taking Finasteride causes a slight increase in your risk of breast cancer.

Alternative treatments

There are a number of alternative treatments for hair loss including over-the-counter products containing minoxidil (Regaine for men is a well-known example). You can also try a hair loss shampoo such as Alpecin.

Most cosmetic and homeopathic treatments do not have good clinical evidence of success.

Surgical options to treat hair loss can be effective - ask your GP or a hair loss specialist for more information.

If you would like to get personalised advice on how to cope with hair loss, you can also book a telephone consultation with one of our doctors.

About Hair Loss Treatment

About Propecia

Propecia is a hair loss treatment used to increase hair growth and reduce hair loss in men.  It only affects hair growth on the scalp. It does not affect the growth of body hair. Propecia contains finasteride.

Genetically, some men are hypersensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. Propecia works by blocking the creation of DHT. By reducing the levels of DHT in the body, Propecia can reverse balding. 

Propecia is a hair loss treatment for men only. It must not be taken by women or children. Pregnant women must not handle crushed or broken tablets of this medication.

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About Finasteride

Finasteride is the active ingredient in Propecia. Finasteride tablets work in the same way as the branded medication Propecia and they can have the same side effects.

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Effectiveness of Propecia

Propecia decreases hair loss or increases regrowth in 90% of men. It takes between three and twelve months to become effective (because hair growth tends to be quite a slow process), but most men see an improvement in three to six months. 

You need to stick with the prescribed treatment for it to work. The effect of Propecia only lasts whilst you are taking it. If you stop taking Propecia, your hair loss will go back to being the same as it was before you started the medication. As part of this, you will lose any hair that you have gained during treatment within six to twelve months.  

Most tests have been conducted with men between 30 and 50 years old, but Propecia is shown to be just as effective as a hair loss treatment in reducing or stopping early hair loss (for example, for men in their twenties) as for older men.

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About Male Pattern Hair Loss

Hair loss affects three in every ten men aged between 30 and 40, at least five in every ten men over 50, and seven in every ten men over 60. There are different types of hair loss, but the most common ones are male pattern hair loss and balding. Roughly 10 million men in the United Kingdom live with male pattern hair loss. 

Generally, male pattern hair loss is hereditary. This genetic condition occurs in men who are hypersensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone found near the scalp. Men who are hypersensitive to DHT find that their hair grows for a far shorter length of time than normal during the hair production cycle.

Eventually, their hair follicles shrink and stop producing hair. Whilst it is not currently possible to reverse a man’s genetic hypersensitivity to DHT, Propecia blocks the production of the enzyme that makes testosterone into DHT. This, in turn, reduces the level of DHT in the body and so, sends hair growth back to normal. 

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Hair Loss Treatment Options

There are a number of different hair loss treatments. While Propecia is taken in the form of tablets, there are also hair loss creams which contain minoxidil. Minoxidil works by increasing the blood flow to the hair follicles. Unlike finasteride, it can also be used by women. While creams and foams containing minoxidil have been proven to reduce hair loss, some people find that newly grown hair comes out relatively weak, comparable to peach fuzz.

There are also a number of surgical treatment options. Some men choose to have hair transplanted onto the bald parts of their scalp. The transplanted hair is usually taken from a part of the patient’s scalp where there is plenty of hair. Hair transplants using artificial hair have become less popular due to the high risk of side effects and complications. Hair transplants are not available on the NHS.

Some hair loss treatment options have been found to be relatively ineffective or may cause unpleasant side effects. For this reason, the hair loss cream dithranol is no longer used. Ultraviolet light treatment is also rarely recommended and used, as it needs to be carried out weekly, shows negligible results and can cause nausea, pigment changes. Ultraviolet light therapy may also increase your risk of skin cancer.

Research into different hair loss treatments is ongoing and scientists are currently researching the possibility of cloning a person’s hair. However, this technique is not yet available and will require further research and medical trials.

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Is there a cure for hair loss?

The most common type of hair loss in men is male pattern hair loss. It is hereditary and there is no cure for it. Finasteride and Propecia can both slow hair loss while you are taking them. However, once you stop using the medication you are likely to continue losing hair.

In cases where hair loss is caused by an underlying condition such as a nutritional imbalance or stress, it may resolve once you get treated for the underlying condition.

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Use our online assessment to order treatment. A Superdrug Online Doctor will review your order and approve appropriate treatment.

Start Consultation

Customer reviews
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4.4 Excellent
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    by , 13th Jul 2017
    Prompt service after the online doctor has dealt with your enquiry
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    by , 31st Mar 2017
    Superdrug did not make it clear or explain the potentially permanent side effect that this medication can cause - infertility. I now have 6 months worth of tablets that I will not use. Superdrug refused to acknowledge my complaint - only stating medicines cannot be returned. Please think twice before buying these tablets and do research outside of Superdrug as the information is not complete.
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    by , 27th Feb 2017
    To early to say if the tablets are working but it was a Great discret profesional service and follow up ,can email the doctor with any concerns you may have.
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    by , 19th Feb 2017
    Only been on the medication a week so to early to tell if successful but medical literature is encouraging.
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    by , 8th Feb 2017
    Very happy with the service I received and the product I purchased.
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    by , 5th Feb 2017
    I haven't used the product, I have been told if I use it, will affect my sexual appetite with permanent impotence, reluctant to use.
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    by , 23rd Jan 2017
    great service product arrived on time and no issues
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    by , 14th Jan 2017
    Quick and easy to use and you can opt out of notifying your doctor which other sites don't let you do. Arrived quickly and discreetly.
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    by , 30th Dec 2016
    Order came very quickly. Plus very responsive friendly service ! I am very happy to be a long term customer to this service :)
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    by , 23rd Nov 2016
    Excellent service No fuss All the advice and information you could want Made me feel really valued
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    by , 13th Sep 2016
    I'm really impressed with the service I received, Genuine product fast delivery
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    by , 8th Aug 2016
    Product was delivered promptly. It's too early to advise if the product works
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    by , 20th Jun 2016
    Easy to order . Quick delivery . Reasonably priced. Will order again 👍
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    by , 10th Jun 2016
    Still early days using it but no side effects at all
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    by , 26th May 2016
    Product as described and punctual!
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    by , 30th Mar 2016
    Brilliant service will use again
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    by , 27th Mar 2016
    useful and help me a lot. I will buy it again if i need it.
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    by , 12th Mar 2016
    Good happy took 4days get 2 me very happy order again in month
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    by , 26th Feb 2016
    I can't assess this fully as I have only recently started using it, making assessing the efficacy of the product difficult

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19 reviews in total << >>

Disclaimer
The views expressed are those of our customers. If you require advice on a condition or treatment, please contact one of our doctors via your account. Please note: Due to advertising regulations, not all product reviews can be displayed.