Finasteride for Hair Loss: How It Works, Dosage and Results
A clinician-reviewed guide to finasteride 1mg — what it is, how it treats male pattern hair loss, how to take it, what results to expect and how to get it in the UK.
Part of the Male Hair Loss Health Guide.
Key fact: Finasteride 1mg is the leading oral treatment for male pattern hair loss. It works by lowering scalp DHT — the hormone that shrinks hair follicles — by up to 70%, halting the process that drives balding and, in many men, allowing regrowth.
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Access Doctor provides finasteride following a GPhC-regulated online consultation with our pharmacist independent prescribers.
Order Finasteride →What is finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription-only oral medicine and the most widely prescribed treatment for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in the UK. It is taken as a single 1mg tablet once a day and belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It is also sold under the brand name Propecia — same active ingredient, same 1mg dose.
Unlike topical treatments such as minoxidil, which act on the scalp surface, finasteride works systemically — tackling the hormonal cause of hair loss from the inside. It has held MHRA approval in the UK and FDA approval in the US for this use for over two decades, giving it one of the most established long-term evidence bases of any hair loss treatment.
1mg
Standard once-daily dose for hair loss
70%
Reduction in scalp DHT with daily use
25+
Years of clinical use and safety data
How finasteride works
Male pattern hair loss is driven by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone made when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone. In genetically susceptible men, DHT binds to receptors in scalp hair follicles and gradually miniaturises them — each growth cycle producing a thinner, shorter, lighter hair until the follicle eventually stops producing hair at all.
Finasteride blocks the type II 5-alpha reductase enzyme, reducing scalp DHT by up to 70%. With the hormonal driver removed, follicles stop being attacked: many stabilise, and those still capable of growth can begin producing thicker, healthier hairs again. This is why finasteride both slows loss and, in many men, produces genuine regrowth.
How to take finasteride
1
One 1mg tablet, once a day
Take it with or without food, at roughly the same time each day to keep DHT suppression steady.
2
Take it continuously
Finasteride only works while you take it. Consistency matters more than timing — build it into a daily routine.
3
Missed a dose?
Take it when you remember the same day. If it is nearly the next day, skip it — never double up.
4
Give it time
Judge results at 12 months, not weeks. Early shedding is a normal part of the hair cycle resetting.
Results: what to expect and when
Finasteride is a slow, steady treatment — patience is essential, and many men give up before results appear. Here is the typical timeline:
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Shedding may temporarily increase as the hair cycle resets. This is normal and not a sign of failure. |
| 3–6 months | Most men notice reduced shedding — the rate of loss slows noticeably. |
| 6–12 months | Stabilisation; some men begin to see early regrowth at the crown or hairline. |
| 12–24 months | Visible regrowth, where it occurs, typically becomes clearly apparent. Maximum results in most users. |
| 2+ years | Ongoing maintenance of results with continued daily use. |
For a fuller look at the trial evidence and realistic expectations, see our guide on whether finasteride really works. Results are best when treatment starts early — before significant follicle miniaturisation has occurred.
Finasteride with minoxidil
Finasteride and minoxidil (Regaine) work through entirely different mechanisms and are highly complementary — used together they are the most effective non-surgical approach to male pattern hair loss.
| Finasteride | Minoxidil | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Reduces DHT systemically — removes the hormonal cause | Stimulates follicles topically — improves blood flow and growth phase |
| Form | Daily 1mg oral tablet | Liquid or foam applied to the scalp twice daily |
| Prescription? | Yes | No — over the counter |
| Best used | Alone or combined | Best combined with finasteride |
Side effects and safety
Finasteride is well tolerated by the large majority of men. The most discussed potential effects are sexual:
- Reduced libido — reported in around 1–2% of users at the 1mg dose
- Erectile dysfunction — similarly uncommon at this dose
- Reduced ejaculate volume — uncommon
When these effects occur they usually resolve on stopping treatment or over time. The 1mg hair loss dose is far lower than the 5mg dose used for prostate enlargement, which reduces the risk profile.
Mood changes: in 2025 the European Medicines Agency confirmed that depression and, very rarely, suicidal thoughts can be associated with finasteride. If you notice changes in mood while taking it, stop and speak to a doctor promptly.
Not for women: finasteride must not be taken or even handled by women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, due to the risk of harm to a male foetus. Store tablets securely away from women and children.
Who finasteride is for
Finasteride 1mg suits adult men with male pattern hair loss, and works best in mild to moderate loss where follicles are still active:
- Men noticing early thinning at the crown or a receding hairline
- Norwood stages 2–5, where most follicles remain responsive
- Men wanting to preserve existing hair as well as regrow
- Men who prefer a once-daily tablet to a twice-daily topical
It is less effective once an area is completely bald, and it is not suitable for women or for hair loss that is not androgenetic. To check where your hair loss sits and how responsive it is likely to be, read our finasteride suitability guide.
How to get finasteride in the UK
Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine — it cannot be bought over the counter. Access Doctor is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy: you complete a short online medical consultation, one of our pharmacist independent prescribers reviews your answers, and if finasteride is suitable it is dispensed from our UK pharmacy and dispatched discreetly, typically arriving the next working day for orders placed before 3pm.
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Complete a short online consultation reviewed by our GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. If suitable, finasteride is delivered discreetly — usually next day.
Order Finasteride →Frequently Asked Questions
What is finasteride used for?
Finasteride 1mg is a prescription tablet for male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). It reduces levels of the hormone DHT, which is responsible for shrinking hair follicles in genetically susceptible men, slowing hair loss and in many cases promoting regrowth.
How do I take finasteride?
Finasteride is taken as one 1mg tablet once a day, with or without food, at roughly the same time each day. It must be taken continuously to keep working. If you miss a dose, take it when you remember on the same day, but do not double up the next day.
How long does finasteride take to work?
Most men see reduced shedding within 3 to 6 months, and visible regrowth, where it occurs, after around 12 months of daily use. A temporary increase in shedding in the first few months is normal as the hair cycle resets. Commit to at least 12 months before judging results.
What happens if I stop taking finasteride?
Finasteride only works while you take it. If you stop, DHT levels rise again and hair loss typically resumes within 6 to 12 months, returning to where it would have been without treatment. It is a long-term treatment, not a one-off course.
What are the side effects of finasteride?
Finasteride is well tolerated by most men. A small proportion — around 1 to 2% in clinical trials — report sexual side effects such as reduced libido or erectile dysfunction, which usually resolve on stopping. Mood changes have been reported very rarely; stop and speak to a doctor if these occur. Women who are or may become pregnant must not take or handle the tablets.
How do I get finasteride online in the UK?
Finasteride is prescription-only. Access Doctor is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy: you complete a short online consultation, one of our pharmacist independent prescribers reviews it, and if suitable your finasteride is dispensed and delivered discreetly, typically the next working day.
Finasteride is available through Access Doctor after a short online consultation. Many men pair it with a topical treatment, or choose the branded version — the two options most often prescribed alongside it:
Hair Loss · Rx
Finasteride 1mg
MHRA-approved oral tablet that reduces DHT to slow and reverse male pattern hair loss.
View product →Hair Loss · OTC
Regaine for Men (Minoxidil 5%)
Topical minoxidil that stimulates follicles — best results combined with finasteride.
View product →References
- Kaufman KD, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1998;39(4):578–589. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Alopecia — androgenetic. cks.nice.org.uk
- electronic medicines compendium (emc). Finasteride 1mg tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. medicines.org.uk
- European Medicines Agency. Finasteride and dutasteride: risk of mood changes. 2025. ema.europa.eu
- NHS. Hair loss. nhs.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine — always complete a medical consultation before starting treatment. In a medical emergency, call 999.