Finasteride

Finasteride 1mg is a prescription-only medicine used specifically for the treatment of male pattern hair loss, which doctors call androgenetic alopecia. This is a very common condition where men experience gradual thinning of the hair on the scalp, often resulting in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head. It is estimated that around half of all men over the age of 50 will experience some degree of male pattern baldness. Finasteride is for men only. It is not indicated for use in women or children. The 1mg dosage for male pattern baldness is not available on the NHS because male pattern baldness is considered a largely cosmetic condition. You will need to obtain it privately, such as through an online pharmacy like Access Doctor.

To understand how finasteride works, you need to know about a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Your body naturally produces a hormone called testosterone. An enzyme called 5-alpha reductase converts some of that testosterone into DHT. In men who are genetically predisposed to male pattern hair loss, DHT attacks the hair follicles on the scalp, causing them to shrink over time. As the follicles shrink, the hairs they produce become thinner and finer until eventually, they stop growing altogether. Finasteride works by blocking the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This prevents your body from converting testosterone into DHT. A single finasteride 1mg tablet produces a rapid reduction in serum DHT concentration, reaching 65-70% suppression within 24 hours of oral dosing. With lower levels of DHT in your scalp, the hair follicles are no longer under attack. They can gradually return to their normal size, leading to increased hair growth and prevention of further hair loss.

Taking finasteride correctly is very straightforward. The recommended dose is one 1mg tablet taken once a day. You can take the tablet with or without food. The most important thing to understand is that finasteride is a long-term treatment. It works slowly, and it works only while you are taking it. You need to be patient and consistent. How long until you see results? Finasteride does not work overnight. In general, you need to take it daily for three to six months before you will notice any visible improvement. Some men see results sooner, others take a little longer. Clinical improvement has been seen as early as 3 months in patients treated with finasteride, leading to a net increase in scalp hair count and hair regrowth. The key is not to give up if you don't see changes immediately. More significant improvements are usually seen at 6 and 12 months. What if you miss a dose? If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. If it is, just skip the missed dose and take your next tablet at the usual time. Do not take two tablets at once to make up for a missed dose. What happens if you stop taking finasteride? If you stop taking finasteride, the effects will slowly reverse. The beneficial effects begin to reverse by 6 months and return to baseline by 9 to 12 months. Once you start treatment, you need to continue it to maintain the results.

The finasteride 1mg price varies depending on how many tablets you buy and which pharmacy you use. Generic finasteride is the cheaper, unbranded version of Propecia. It contains exactly the same active ingredient and works in the same way, but it is significantly more cost‑effective. Price guidance for finasteride 1mg tablets: - 28 tablets (1 month): From £13.88 to £14.39 - 56 tablets (2 months): From £21.67 to £24.95 - 84 tablets (3 months): From £29.87 to £44.95 - 112 tablets (4 months): From £35.00 - 168 tablets (6 months): From £44.99 (as low as 27p per tablet) Prices are indicative and may vary between pharmacies. If you want to buy finasteride online, the process is straightforward. Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine, meaning you cannot simply add it to your shopping basket. You must complete a short online consultation – a health questionnaire that asks about your medical history, any other medicines you are taking, and your hair loss concerns. A UK-registered doctor or pharmacist reviews your answers to ensure finasteride is safe and appropriate for you. If approved, they issue a private prescription and your medication is dispatched. The price you see typically covers both the consultation fee and the medication. All regulated online pharmacies are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). You should never buy finasteride from unregulated websites – counterfeit medicines can contain dangerous substances and will not work.

If you order finasteride online through a regulated service and complete the consultation before the daily cut-off time (usually mid-afternoon), your order will be dispatched the same day. Most UK online pharmacies offer finasteride next day delivery as a standard service, with orders arriving by Royal Mail Tracked 24 or a similar courier service. Delivery is often free on orders over a certain amount, and the packaging is discreet – plain and unmarked – so no one else knows what is inside. Once dispatched, you will receive tracking information so you can follow your delivery. Some pharmacies also offer click-and-collect, allowing you to pick up your order from a local pharmacy branch in as little as two hours after approval.

Like all medicines, finasteride can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most side effects are uncommon, and for the majority of men who do experience them, they resolve after stopping the medication. The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) has reviewed the evidence for finasteride and has strengthened the safety warnings. A Finasteride patient card is now included in all finasteride packs to raise awareness of the potential risks. Sexual side effects (reported in a minority of men): - Reduced sex drive (decreased libido) - Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction) - Problems with ejaculation (such as reduced volume of ejaculate) In clinical studies, 3.8% of men taking finasteride 1mg reported one or more adverse sexual experiences, compared to 2.1% of men taking a placebo. In most men, these side effects go away after stopping the medication. However, in some cases, sexual dysfunction has persisted even after treatment was stopped. The MHRA has confirmed that sexual dysfunction may persist after treatment has stopped. Psychiatric side effects (rare): - Depressed mood or depression - Suicidal thoughts Finasteride has been associated with depressed mood, depression, and, less frequently, suicidal thoughts. If you develop depression or suicidal thoughts while taking finasteride 1mg for hair loss, you must stop treatment immediately and contact your doctor as soon as possible. You may not notice some changes in your mood or behaviour. It is important to tell your friends and family that you are taking this medicine so that others can help you quickly identify any symptoms. Other side effects: - Tender or swollen breasts (gynaecomastia) - Nipple discharge - Breast lumps - Testicular pain - Rash Any changes in the chest wall, such as lumps, pain, or nipple discharge, should be promptly reported to a doctor, as they could be signs of a serious condition, including breast cancer – although this is very rare. When to seek emergency medical help: If you have swelling of your lips or tongue, breathing difficulties, rashes, or difficulty swallowing, you must call 999 immediately – you may be having a severe allergic reaction.

You must not take finasteride if any of the following apply to you: - You are a woman. Finasteride is for men only. Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male foetus. Finasteride tablets are coated and will prevent contact with the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets are not broken or crushed. - You are under 18 years of age. - You are allergic to finasteride or any of the other ingredients in the tablet. The tablets contain lactose monohydrate; if you have been told you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should speak to your doctor before taking this medicine. - You are already taking finasteride 5mg or any other 5α-reductase inhibitor for a prostate condition. - You have severe liver problems – finasteride should be used with caution. What about using finasteride 5mg for hair loss? Finasteride 5mg is available, but it is reserved for treating prostate conditions. It is not prescribed for hair loss, and using it may carry a higher risk of side effects. Always take the medication as prescribed.

Finasteride has a very low potential for interacting with other medicines. No drug interactions of clinical importance have been identified. Finasteride does not appear to affect the cytochrome P450-linked drug-metabolising enzyme system. Compounds that have been tested in man include antipyrine, digoxin, propranolol, theophylline, and warfarin, and no clinically meaningful interactions were found. However, you should always tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking, including those bought without a prescription. If you are using topical minoxidil (Regaine) for hair loss, there is no data available on the concomitant use of finasteride and topical minoxidil in male pattern hair loss. Always follow your doctor's advice.

This is an important consideration. Finasteride can affect semen quality in a small number of men. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, you should discuss this with your doctor before taking finasteride. Some doctors recommend discontinuing finasteride for a period before attempting conception.

Finasteride is highly effective for the majority of men who take it correctly. Clinical studies have shown that it prevents further hair loss in the vast majority of men and can also promote hair regrowth in many. What the studies show: - After one year of treatment, many men have noticeable improvements in hair thickness and regrowth. - Satisfaction rates increase over time. Studies have shown that approximately 40% of men express satisfaction with their hair changes after 1 year, increasing to 50% after 2 years, and reaching 60% at the 5-year mark. If there is no improvement after one year: If you have been taking finasteride for over a year and have seen no change at all – no reduction in hair loss and no regrowth – it is likely that you do not respond to finasteride. In that case, you should speak to your doctor to explore alternative options and rule out other causes of hair loss.

No. Finasteride 1mg tablets are currently listed in Part XVIIIA of the Drug Tariff (the "Black List") and cannot be prescribed on an NHS prescription for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. This is because male pattern baldness is considered a cosmetic condition. For most men, the only way to obtain finasteride is to order finasteride online from a private source, such as an online pharmacy offering a prescribing service.

Store below 25°C (room temperature) in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the blister pack in its outer carton to protect it from moisture. Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date printed on the packaging. If you have any leftover tablets, do not throw them away in household waste or pour them down the sink. Take them to your local pharmacy, where they will be disposed of safely.