What's the difference between Finasteride 1mg and 5mg

When you decide to start treatment for hair loss with Finasteride, you may come across the dilemma of choosing between 1mg vs 5mg doses. However, for treating male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia, the 1mg dose that we offer at the Oxford Online Pharmacy is the only recommended option. While Finasteride does come in varying strengths, like 5mg, the 1mg dose has the strongest evidence supporting its effectiveness and safety.

By preventing hair follicles from shrinking, our 1mg Finasteride tablets work to stop further hair loss and help regrow hair in men suffering from male pattern baldness. Other doses of Finasteride like 5mg may be used to treat enlarged prostates, but those are not offered here, nor recommended by us for hair loss.

Key findings

The 1mg Finasteride dose treats male pattern baldness, while the 5mg amount treats enlarged prostates - a condition we don't offer treatment for.

Our doctors prescribe the proven effective 1mg dose for hair loss, taken once daily by mouth. This blocks the effects of the DHT hormone (the hormone that's responsible for hair loss) on hair follicles.

Studies show that the 1mg dosage helps over 80% of men keep hair and approximately 65% regrow some new hair when taken consistently.

We exclusively provide 1mg Finasteride, the gold standard dosage for effectively supporting hair growth goals in suitable patients with genetic pattern baldness.

1mg vs 5mg dosage overview

The 1mg dose of Finasteride that we offer is usually prescribed for treating hair loss in men suffering from male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. Doctors often recommend this once-a-day oral medication for effectively halting hair loss and regrowing hair.

The higher 5mg dose is primarily used for treating an enlarged prostate and relieving urinary symptoms from benign prostate enlargement (also known as benign prostate hyperplasia). However, this use is not relevant for hair loss treatment and is not a dosage we offer.

Our easy-to-swallow 1mg oral Finasteride tablets have a proven track record for hair regrowth in men when taken consistently. While the 1mg amount may also come as a topical serum or solution in some cases, oral tablets are preferred for ensuring systemic efficacy. 

Finasteride uses

The 1mg dose of Finasteride that we provide at Oxford Online Pharmacy is specifically indicated for treating male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia. It works by preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT, the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles.

We recommend taking this convenient once-daily tablet for at least 3-6 months to see an improvement in hair growth and halt hair loss progression. Continued use helps maintain healthy hair regrowth by keeping DHT levels suppressed around the follicles.

While a 5mg dose of Finasteride also exists, it has an entirely different use case. The higher dose is primarily used for treating benign prostate enlargement (BPE) in older men. By reducing DHT levels around the prostate tissue, the 5mg dosage helps relieve urinary symptoms that result from swelling of the prostate gland.

However, treatment of BPE is not something we offer here. The therapeutic indications differ between the doses. Our doctors exclusively prescribe the clinically proven 1mg Finasteride dose for hair loss in suitable male patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia.

Even though it's not a product we offer or recommend, you might also hear about the 0.5mg Finasteride. There is some evidence that such regimens have a decent response in preventing hair loss. However, the gold standard 1mg dosage for hair loss is known for continually promoting hair regrowth over the long term. Our providers stick to treatment of hair loss that has robust data validating efficacy and safety.

Efficacy of Finasteride

Research shows that the 1mg dose of Finasteride helps about 80% of hair loss patients with male pattern baldness keep the hair they still have. About 65% of users also experience some degree of new hair regrowth after 6-12 months of continued daily treatment. However, it may take at least 3 months to notice results since hair grows slowly.

Studies found that 1mg per day works better at growing new hair compared to unproven lower 0.5mg doses. Our providers prescribe the clinically proven 1mg dosage of Finasteride to ensure optimal hair loss prevention and regrowth.

While a 5mg dose of Finasteride also exists, it is used to treat enlarged prostates - a condition we do not offer. However, according to clinical studies, the 5mg daily dose improves urine flow in men with enlarged prostate issues.

The key for hair loss is taking the 1mg amount consistently, as stopping treatment can lead to the reversal of results. But taken properly at the standard dosage we offer, Finasteride promotes robust hair regrowth in most men with male pattern baldness.

Side effects and safety

Common side effects

Many men report concerns about sexual health and functioning as potential side effects of Finasteride, which can be distressing but are often manageable. These include issues like:

• Erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or keeping erections)
• Loss of libido
• Difficulty climaxing/ejaculating during sex

It can be reassuring to know that research indicates these sexual side effects often improve over time. Stopping the medication also reverses sexual dysfunction for most men.

Other less frequent reactions include:

• Skin rashes
• Swelling in the lips and face area
• Dizziness, headaches, fatigue
• Breast swelling or nipple discharge

However, large clinical studies with Finasteride on the 1mg dose showed that most healthy men tolerate daily Finasteride well for managing hair loss long term.

Safety and long-term use

Research to date supports that Finasteride use for 10 years helps most men manage hair loss or prostate symptoms. However, there are open questions about use beyond 5 years in otherwise healthy patients.

A few things doctors consider with long-term Finasteride treatment:

The 5mg dose likely carries more unknowns around very long-term use impacts compared to the 1mg dose. But each case differs.

Taking Finasteride along with other meds that affect hormones requires more caution. Reactions become harder to predict.

If adverse effects show up after many years of use, stopping treatment could still reverse issues. But this is not guaranteed if taking for decades.

Patients should have open talks with their doctor about their comfort level with long-term daily Finasteride use, given current medical knowledge and individual factors. Close monitoring is key.

Choosing the 1mg Finasteride for Hair Loss

When it comes to treating male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), the clinically proven and internationally accepted prescription strength is 1mg of Finasteride taken orally once per day.

This convenient dosage was established through extensive research to safely deliver optimal hair loss control and regrowth results for most men. That is why we exclusively offer the evidence-backed 1mg tablets at our pharmacy.

While Finasteride does exist in other dosages like 5mg or experimental lower 0.5mg variants, those formulations are not indicated specifically for hair loss. There is a lack of robust data supporting similar efficacy to the gold standard 1mg dose that we provide.

In summary, for effectively managing male pattern baldness, our doctors firmly stand behind prescribing the tried and tested 1mg oral Finasteride therapy.

Taking the first step with Oxford Online Pharmacy

If you are struggling with pattern baldness, we encourage you to take the first step by consulting with our pharmacy team at Oxford Online Pharmacy. Our UK-licensed doctors will take the time to understand your case, lifestyle and expectations. We will then advise effective treatment options best suited to your specific healthy hair growth needs and goals.

We handle quick, discreet delivery right to your door in plain packaging. This saves you time while protecting your privacy.

Hair loss requires a holistic approach combined with medication. To get started on your journey, get in touch with us today.

Our health experts will be here for you each step of the way - whether it’s adjusting your Finasteride over time or reviewing supplementary options to boost results. We make it easier for you to achieve your best health.

FAQs

Is 5mg of Finasteride a large dose?

The 5mg amount is used to treat enlarged prostates, which is not one of the medical conditions for which we offer Finasteride. The 1mg dose we provide is the clinically proven and recommended dosage for hair loss.

Can Finasteride 5mg also regrow hair?

While 5mg may theoretically influence the increase in hair growth, robust evidence backing that dosage specifically for managing hair loss is lacking. Our doctors firmly stand behind the effectiveness of the established 1mg Finasteride dose for hair regrowth.

What are the risks if I stay on Finasteride long term?

Regarding our 1mg hair loss treatment, current evidence generally supports long-term safety and sustained benefits when taken as prescribed. However, discuss your personal comfort level for Finasteride therapy duration with your provider during your ongoing care.

References

Finasteride: a review of its use in male pattern hair loss - PubMed (nih.gov)

Symptoms of benign prostate enlargement - NHS - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Common questions about Finasteride - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Finasteride and sexual side effects - PMC (nih.gov)