Finasteride

Finasteride 1mg is a prescription-only tablet used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men. Male pattern baldness is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which shrinks hair follicles over time, causing the hair to thin and eventually stop growing. Finasteride works by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, reducing DHT levels in the scalp by around 60 to 70%. This slows down or stops further hair loss and, in many men, can stimulate new hair growth — particularly at the crown and mid-scalp. It is only suitable for men and must not be taken by women or children. A consultation with one of our clinicians at Access Doctor is required before it can be prescribed.

Finasteride is a slow-acting treatment — patience and consistency are essential. Most men begin to notice that their hair loss has slowed or stabilised within 3 to 6 months of starting treatment. Visible new hair regrowth, where it occurs, is typically noticeable after 6 to 12 months of daily use. Some men continue to see gradual improvement for up to 2 years. It is important to understand that finasteride works best as a preventative treatment — it is more effective at stopping further hair loss than regrowing hair that has already been lost. If you stop taking it, any benefit will gradually reverse within 6 to 12 months.

The recommended dose for male pattern hair loss is one 1mg tablet taken once a day. You can take it with or without food and at any time of day — but try to take it at the same time every day to build a consistent routine. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. If you miss a dose, simply skip it and take the next one as normal — never take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Finasteride is a long-term treatment and should be taken continuously for as long as you want to maintain the benefits.

Most men take finasteride without experiencing significant side effects. The most commonly reported ones include reduced sex drive, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, and a reduced volume of ejaculate — these affect a small percentage of men and often resolve either with continued use or after stopping the medication. In 2025, the European Medicines Agency confirmed that suicidal thoughts can occur as a rare side effect of finasteride — if you experience any changes in mood, low mood, or thoughts of self-harm while taking finasteride, stop taking it and contact your GP immediately. Some men also report breast tenderness or enlargement — if this occurs, speak to your doctor promptly.

Finasteride is most effective for men with early to moderate male pattern baldness, particularly thinning at the crown and mid-scalp area. It is less likely to be effective for men whose hair loss is already advanced, or for areas of the scalp that are already completely bald. Clinical studies show that around 65% of men with mild to moderate hair loss experience a positive result after 5 years of treatment. Results vary from person to person — some men see significant regrowth, others simply experience a slowing of hair loss, and a small number do not respond to treatment at all.

Yes — finasteride and minoxidil (a topical hair loss treatment) can be used together and are often prescribed as a combination. They work through completely different mechanisms — finasteride reduces DHT to slow hair loss at a hormonal level, while minoxidil stimulates blood flow to the scalp to encourage hair follicle activity. Used together, they tackle hair loss from two different angles and many men find the combination more effective than using either treatment on its own.

This is an important consideration for older men. Finasteride is known to lower PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels — a marker used in prostate cancer screening — by approximately 50% after 6 or more months of use. If you have a PSA test while taking finasteride, it is essential that you tell your doctor you are taking it, so that they can adjust the interpretation of your results accordingly. Failure to account for finasteride use could lead to an abnormal prostate cancer going undetected. If you are aged 50 or over and taking finasteride, ensure you mention it at any routine health checks.

No — finasteride 1mg is only licensed for use in adult men. It must never be taken by women or children. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant must not even handle broken or crushed finasteride tablets, as the active ingredient can be absorbed through the skin and may cause abnormalities in the development of a male baby's genitalia. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with a broken tablet, the affected area should be washed immediately with soap and water and medical advice sought.