Finasteride
Book a quick face-to-face video consultation with a certified prescribing pharmacist, nurse, or doctor. If approved, your Finasteride will be prescribed* and delivered straight to your door with free next-day delivery†. No hidden fees. No delays. Just expert care.
* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation.
† Applies to UK only.
Other Related Treatments
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Finasteride Key Facts
Other Related Names or Treatments
Propecia, Proscar
About Finasteride
Finasteride is used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) caused by an enlarged prostate and male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia).
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, an enzyme involved in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can cause hair follicles to shrink and stop producing hair.
NowPatient offers Propecia or Finasteride tablets as a treatment for hair loss only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Finasteride
- Finasteride is a hair loss treatment that prevents further hair loss
- Finasteride can take 3 to 6 months to have an effect
- Finasteride has some common side effects which includes a reduced libido
- It can be dangerous if you take Finasteride with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
- Finasteride does not work for a receding hairline
Who is Finasteride not suitable for?
Finasteride may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Finasteride if you:
- Are allergic to Finasteride
- Are a woman
- Are taking Finasteride or dutasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Are having a blood test for prostate cancer called PSA (prostate-specific antigen)
How and where to get Finasteride?
You can buy Finasteride safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of hair loss, you can discuss if Finasteride is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.
Dosage and strength for Finasteride to treat hair loss
Finasteride is available as Finasteride 1mg tablets when used for male pattern hair loss.
Information about how to take Finasteride for hair loss
You should take one Finasteride 1mg tablet each day at the same time each day, in the morning or evening. If you forget to take a dose of Finasteride, skip the missed dose and take as normal from the next day. Do not take more than one Finasteride tablet a day.
Read the patient information leaflet (PIL) provided with your medication or speak to a healthcare professional for further medical advice.
What happens if you take too much Finasteride?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Finasteride and you experience any of the following side effects:
What are the side effects of Finasteride?
In clinical trials side effects of Finasteride include:
- Sexual side effects – decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, decreased volume of ejaculate
- Depression
- Testicular pain
- Breast tenderness and enlargement
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Skin rash
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient
Information about taking Finasteride at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Finasteride. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.
Can Finasteride taken for hair loss be taken long term?
Men using Finasteride will normally see improved hair growth after 3 months of use, with gradual improvement for 2 years. After 5 years of use, users will have, at least, the same amount of hair to when they started treatment. The effects of Finasteride will begin to wear off after around 6 months of not using it. After 9 to 12 months, the benefits of using Finasteride will have completely disappeared, with hair loss being the same as it was before treatment was started.
Is there a herbal Finasteride?
No. Herbal Finasteride does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Finasteride?
Finasteride is not recommended for use in women.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Finasteride?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Finasteride tablets.
What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with hair loss?
You may modify your lifestyle in a number of ways, and this may have a positive impact on your hair loss:
- Eat food containing zinc and iron
- Avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals
- Wear a hat when outdoors
- Take biotin supplements
Alternatives to Finasteride
Alternatives for the treatment of male hair loss include Regaine (minoxidil), or hair loss shampoos, conditioners and supplements.
Important new information about safely prescribing Finasteride (updated October 2024)
- Introduction of a patient alert card in all packs of Finasteride to raise awareness of the risks that Finasteride can pose including psychiatric and sexual side-effects such as sexual dysfunction (decreased libido and erectile dysfunction) which can continue after stopping treatment.
- Healthcare professionals and service providers have been advised to ask patients if they have a history of depression or suicidal ideation before prescribing Finasteride.
- Healthcare professionals and service providers are being asked to monitor patients for signs of psychiatric and sexual side effects from the start of their treatment.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Finasteride
What is Finasteride?
Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor available in two doses: 1 mg (for male pattern hair loss/androgenetic alopecia) and 5 mg (for benign prostatic hyperplasia/enlarged prostate). For hair loss, finasteride 1 mg is taken daily and works by reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone primarily responsible for hair follicle miniaturisation and male pattern baldness. Propecia is the original brand name for finasteride 1 mg.
How does Finasteride work for hair loss?
Finasteride inhibits the type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes hair follicle miniaturisation on the scalp in genetically susceptible men, leading to thinner, shorter hair and eventually complete follicle dormancy. By reducing serum and scalp DHT levels by approximately 70%, finasteride slows hair loss, stops progression in most men, and can promote regrowth in many — particularly at the crown and midscalp.
How effective is Finasteride for hair loss?
Clinical studies show that finasteride 1 mg daily halts hair loss in approximately 80–90% of men and produces visible regrowth in about 65% after 2 years. Results are best at the crown and midscalp. The hairline may improve modestly. Hair regrowth typically becomes noticeable after 3–6 months, with maximum benefit seen at 1–2 years. If treatment is stopped, hair loss resumes within 6–12 months.
How do I take Finasteride for hair loss?
Take one 1 mg tablet daily at the same time each day. It can be taken with or without food. Results take time — most men see visible improvement after 3–6 months, with maximum results at 1–2 years. Treatment is long-term; if you stop taking finasteride, hair loss will resume. It is often used alongside topical minoxidil for enhanced results.
What are the side effects of Finasteride?
The most discussed side effects are sexual: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced ejaculate volume, which affect approximately 1–2% of men in clinical trials. These side effects are usually mild and reversible upon stopping treatment. In most men who continue treatment, side effects resolve spontaneously. Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynaecomastia) is rare. Some men report mood changes. Finasteride reduces PSA levels by approximately 50%, which should be noted for prostate cancer screening.
What is post-finasteride syndrome?
Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a controversial and unproven condition in which men report persistent sexual, neurological, and psychological side effects after stopping finasteride. While some men have reported such symptoms, large clinical studies and pharmacological data have not established a causal link. The MHRA lists sexual side effects as uncommon and generally reversible. Discuss any concerns with your prescriber before starting treatment.
Can women take Finasteride?
Finasteride 1 mg is licensed for men only. Women of childbearing age must NOT handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets, as the drug can be absorbed through the skin and may cause abnormalities in male foetal genitalia. Finasteride is very occasionally used off-label for female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women under specialist supervision, but this is not standard practice.
How can I get Finasteride?
Finasteride 1 mg for hair loss requires a prescription and is available from your GP or through NowPatient. It is not available on the NHS for hair loss (it is a cosmetic indication). NowPatient offers online consultations and home delivery of finasteride at competitive prices.
Experienced a Side Effect?
Report to Yellow Card (UK) or MedWatch (US)
Report to
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