We also sell this product in the following strengths and total quantities. Select the price to take you to the product.
1mg | |
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28 tablets | £13.94 |
84 tablets | £34.54 |
168 tablets | £58.94 |
Roughly one in two men will experience male pattern baldness and while excessive hair loss isn’t usually experienced before their late thirties, some men will show significant symptoms far sooner. Finasteride can slow down or even stop hair loss and some men experience increased hair growth. Finasteride is largely accepted as one of the best.
This page will provide the answers to all of your Finasteride questions, including but not limited to;
Our experts often hear from men who have read Finasteride reviews and want to know more. In many cases, they wrongly assume that it is a specific branded product for hair loss. On the contrary, Finasteride is a non-branded, generic medicine. It is the active drug that belongs to a group of medicines called Type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride is found in popular hair-loss drugs such as Propecia.
Both men and women lose an average of 100 hairs a day; hair falls out naturally and the follicle produces new hair. For men with male pattern hair loss, these hair follicles gradually reduce in size. New hair grows thinner and weaker, meaning that it falls out more quickly. Eventually, the hair is not strong enough to break the surface of the scalp, leading to complete baldness.
This process is caused by testosterone. Hair follicles convert testosterone into the hormone dihydrotestosterone; as hair follicles become increasingly sensitive to dihydrotestosterone, they shrink. Finasteride minimises the amount of testosterone that is converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can help hair to thicken and regrow in most men who suffer from male pattern baldness.
Finasteride is prescribed in the form of Finasteride tablets for oral consumption. It is primarily used to treat hair loss with good results. It is also used (in higher doses) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Propecia lowers the levels of DHT in the scalp. This helps to reverse the balding process, leading to an increased hair growth and prevention of further hair loss.
Oxford Online Pharmacy helps men of varying ages at all stages of pattern male baldness. Finasteride results can subsequently enhance appearance, increase self-confidence, and generally improve a person’s quality of life.
As far as our prescribed Finasteride tablets go, the main focus is on treating hair loss by preventing premature thinning and regrowth inhibition. Male pattern balding, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the main condition attributed to the hormonal process, although the tablets are only available on private prescriptions from pharmacies like ours and are not covered by the NHS. After all, hair loss isn’t considered a medical health problem and is closer to a cosmetic issue.
Finasteride uses aren’t limited to hair loss, though. A higher Finasteride dosage may also be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In fact, this was the original purpose of the drug.
The Finasteride drug is taken as an oral tablet and decreases the DHT hormone production in the body. But when choosing Finasteride for hair loss, the smaller dosage focuses on blocking the body’s natural production of the DHT hormone responsible for stopping hair growth.
Finasteride tablets will begin to work from the very first day, although you won’t notice the results until they have been used consistently as prescribed. The blocking of DHT production subsequently allows the regenerated hairs to grow back with the same thickness and strength as their predecessors. In turn, as your hair replenishes the hairs that are naturally lost on a daily basis, you can retain the same level of head coverage rather than experience a continued reduction in hair follicle numbers and volume.
While Finasteride blocks DHT hormones on the scalp, it will not impact hair cell growth on other body parts.
Finasteride is a drug that takes its name from the fact that Finasteride is the active substance contained within the tablet.
Ingredients contained within the tablets will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, which is why we advise all users to carefully read the patient information leaflet provided with your tablets to check the other listed ingredients. Our pharmacists are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding any of the ingredients in your prescription.
Yes. Finasteride is the generic unbranded version of the drug, but many patients are more familiar with the brand Propecia (by parent company Merck & Co) while a smaller audience may also recognise the term Proscar, which is actually the branded version for BPH. Propecia tablets include a 1 mg dose of the Finasteride UK substance.
Like the generic Finasteride, branded Propecia is not prescribed on the NHS.
The active substance, dosage, and purpose of the generic and branded Finasteride tablets are identical. When a new medicine is researched, developed, and manufactured by a pharmaceuticals company, a patent provides the company with exclusive rights for a set period of time. Once that expires, though, other companies can manufacture competing products using the same generic substance.
Contrasts stem from the non-active ingredients, also known as excipients. Generic tablets can vary in size, shape, and colour from one manufacturer to another. However, the results remain the same.
In 2014, the UK patent for Propecia expired, which meant that Finasteride could be made and sold by other pharmaceutical companies under different names. Finasteride is simply a non-branded version of Propecia and the effect of the market competition means that it is now possible for men to access hair-loss medication at much lower prices. It is possible to buy Finasteride online with a prescription for less than 30% of the price of branded Propecia.
The reason that unbranded Finasteride can be manufactured at a cheaper price is that the research and development stages have already been completed. The generic manufacturers know the effects, and simply find the right formula of non-active ingredients to produce their distinct product.
The use of a 5 mg dose of Finasteride was approved by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) in 1992 for prostate enlargement treatments. The approval of the 1 mg dose for hair loss was finalised in 1997.
At Oxford Online Pharmacy, we know that everyone is different. Our team of doctors is on hand to give you the best possible advice and guidance; simply add Finasteride to your basket and complete our quick online consultation.
Finasteride is widely accepted as the best treatment to begin the process of fighting male pattern baldness. It is believed to show some positive signs in up to 90% of patients(5), while we find patients also like that;
Finasteride has greater scientific backing than many alternative treatments on the market. The effects of the active ingredient on hair loss and regeneration are known, making it easier to predict the level of improvement. We find that most clients prefer the generic tablets due to their affordability.
Finasteride UK tablets can achieve great results on their own. However, some patients will want to use it alongside other hair loss treatments, such as Regaine. Additional supplements including Biotin - Vitamin B7 may be taken in conjunction with Finasteride to promote good health and allow the hormone inhibitions to work at their best. In some cases, hair restoration tonics and creams may be an option.
We have worked hard to make sure that the process is quick and easy when it comes to purchasing Finasteride from Oxford Online Pharmacy. The simple three-step process that we have put together is as follows:
Finasteride is aimed at male pattern balding, but women can experience hair loss too. We appreciate that, while far less frequent, it is a particularly distressing issue for women. Unfortunately, taking Finasteride for women is not recommended. Our doctors would always suggest that women look for more effective hair loss treatments.
Finasteride for hair loss should be taken immediately after you receive your prescription. The sooner you act, the easier it is to contain and slow or reverse hair loss caused by male pattern balding. Oxford Online Pharmacy can get the prescription delivered to your door as early as tomorrow, allowing you to take immediate control
Finasteride is available in packs of 28, 84, or 168 tablets for four-week, 12-week, and 24-week treatment cycles. The pills should be taken daily and may be consumed with or without food. We suggest taking them with water as it is necessary to swallow them whole.
When taking Finasteride for prostate enlargement, Finasteride 5mg tablets are permitted. Oxford Online Pharmacy focuses on supporting patients with male pattern balding. The Finasteride 1 mg option is considered the maximum dosage per day for hair loss and is the maximum amount of the Finasteride drug found in any tablet.
There is no specific time of day that the Finasteride tablets should be consumed. Similarly, there are no known credible scientific studies to confirm that the hair loss effects are impacted by the timing. The key is to be consistent as the treatment is required for months (or potentially years) to deliver the best results. An established routine can speed up the process.
Finasteride should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, and in its original container.
While the time of day that you take Finasteride tablets isn’t overly important, you must avoid doubling up. Taking two tablets too close together will increase the risk of side effects. Our doctors also state the Finasteride 1mg tablet provides the maximum DHT hormone regulation required in a 24-hour period. So, double dosages won’t translate to double rewards.
If you remember that you’ve forgotten a dosage within six hours of when it should have been taken, you can still take it. But the next few days should be used to bridge the gap (subtract one hour each day) back to the normal routine.
If you forget to take the tablet for longer than six hours, wait until the next day and resume the prescription. We advise setting a daily alarm or reminder to prevent it becoming a habit. When you miss doses on a regular basis, the benefits become significantly reduced.
Most men who have been recommended to check out the hair loss treatment don’t just ask “does Finasteride work?”; they want to know how quickly the effects take place.
Finasteride technically begins to work from the moment that you take the first daily tablet. Its chemical properties help to block and regulate the DHT hormone, which will begin to slow the rate of hair loss and thinning. However, the impacts of one tablet are minimal. Likewise, male pattern balding is a regressive condition in which hair loss occurs over several years rather than overnight. So, it’s almost impossible to notice an impact in the first few days of taking the prescription.
Every male pattern balding patient experiences a unique journey, and the Finasteride prescription should be tailored according to personal requirements. Here at Oxford Online Pharmacy, we find that most clients who consistently stick to their prescription can see the significant benefits of the drug after a period of 3-6 months while optimal results are achieved after 12-24 months.
Finasteride results will vary from patient to patient. When the daily tablets are taken as prescribed the progress begins at around three months and continues until at least the one-year mark. Many men find that hair count and thickness keep improving for another year. As long as the prescription is maintained, the benefits can be maintained for many years. Finasteride is, therefore, a semi-permanent to permanent solution to male pattern baldness.
The biological ageing of the patient will continue, albeit at a slower rate. So, hair loss will resume and probably result in baldness in old age. However, men in their twenties or thirties can delay the process by decades.
However, those long-term benefits are only seen when the prescription is followed for years. Once the daily dosage of 1 mg stops, the restriction of DHT hormones stops. Hair follicles will subsequently thin and weaken, leading to the pre-treatment reversion within 12 months. Even so, the time passed between day one of treatment and this stage means that hair loss has effectively been delayed.
While taking multiple Finasteride for hair loss tablets won’t accelerate the benefits, it is quite safe to accidentally consume too many - perhaps after mixing them up with other medicines. However, it is possible (albeit rare) that you could suffer an anaphylactic allergic reaction. Symptoms of this include red rashes, wheezing, facial swelling, and struggles to breathe. If they occur, you should seek medical help and immediately stop taking Finasteride.
Finasteride tablets and the Finasteride drug can interact with other medications too. When already taking medications, natural remedies, or nutritional supplements, this information should be disclosed during the questionnaire. This will help our doctors confirm suitability.
Finasteride is not designed to completely reverse hair loss. The inhibition of the hair-thinning hormone aims to prevent hair follicles from weakening to the point where they no longer penetrate the surface of the scalp (which is what causes the presence of no hair, otherwise known as baldness) when generating new hairs.
The inhibition of the DHT hormone can actually allow hair follicles to become stronger until they break through the barrier. One study found that 65% of long-term users noted an increase in hair count at the five-year mark. This is combined with the thickening of hairs that can also produce the appearance of a thicker head of hair.
Here at Oxford Online Pharmacy, our pharmacists have noted that the benefits are best seen by inpiduals with mild-to-moderate hair loss, particularly at the temple.If you have been bald for some time you may not get any regrowth.
Finasteride can lead to erectile dysfunction or reduced libido (sex drive). However, the threat is quite low with just 1.2% of young males experiencing the problem even after using the drug for over six months. The risk of developing erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, or decreased libido reduces as time goes on; after 2-4 years of taking Finasteride, the risk disappears completely.
Some Finasteride reviews also suggest a possible link to weight loss due to the fact the drug interacts with the body’s natural metabolism. Most medical studies reject the proposed connection while any possible weight gain is minimal.
Other side effects of Finasteride are rare but can be serious. There are links to Finasteride and breast cancer, and in very few cases, men taking the drug have reported having suicidal thoughts. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience changes in breast tissue (e.g. lumps, pain, nipple discharge), mood alterations, or suicidal thoughts.
In addition, if you need to have a PSA blood test (prostate-specific antigen), you must inform your doctor that you are on Finasteride as this can affect the results.
Most of the Finasteride side effects are temporary. Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation issues, and reduced sex drive are reversed shortly after the patient stops taking the treatment. No two patients are identical, but most will experience a return to their pre-treatment status within seven days. This is because Finasteride has a relatively short half-life. Patients looking at how to reduce side effects of Finasteride can focus on the following three steps;
The notable exceptions are the rare cases of cancer. This serious medical condition cannot naturally reverse itself and will require professional intervention.
Post finasteride syndrome, or PFS, is the name given to describe the rare cases where the above side effects last longer. Even in these cases, they may not be permanent. Still, the adverse sexual, neurological, physical, and mental impacts can cause persistent problems.Whilst PFS is not recognised by the scientific community any side effects should be discussed with your doctor.
When Finasteride tablets are consumed for the purpose of hair regrowth and slowed thinning, you may want to look at alternatives to drugs. Some examples include wearing a wig, using Regaine hair regrowth creams, laser hair regrowth treatments, or shaving the hair off completely..
When 5alpha-reductase inhibitors are deemed right, you may also want to look at another solution known as Dutasteride. This is the generic product that you may know as the branded version, Avodart. We only recommend dutasteride if you have already tried finasteride first.
Both Finasteride and Dutasteride share the same core functions. There are differences, though, with the most obvious being that Dutasteride is a capsule and not a tablet. The capsules are sold in packs of 30 (one month’s supply), 90 (quarterly supply), or 180 (bi-annual supply) capsules.
Some research suggests that the two can be used together when the former does not bring sustained results on its own.We do not recommend this as it could lead to increased side effects. It is important to note that dutasteride, brand name Avodart is not licensed for hair loss even though it is commonly used although it is certified for prostate enlargement.
Finasteride and Dutasteride can both produce great results and are considered the two biggest 5α-reductase inhibitors on the market. Finasteride was developed earlier (1970s) while its approval came earlier too. However, Dutasteride is potentially more effective at inhibiting the DHT hormones while the effects are even more reliable. Several studies show that the capsules may actually promote better hair regrowth, at least within the first year.
The long-term results are more evenly matched. The incidence of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and decreased libido resulting in discontinuation from therapy is significantly higher for Dutasteride patients compared to Finasteride..
For a first-time user, Finasteride is the better option. In fact, Dutasteride is rarely prescribed unless other solutions have been tried first. Oxford Online Pharmacy will analyse your case and make a personalised treatment plan to produce the best results for delayed hair loss and potential regrowth. Start the online process or give us a call today!
Before taking Finasteride or any medication, it is always important to read the Patient Information Leaflet.
If you have any further questions about Finasteride or purchasing this product from our online pharmacy, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today for more information. Our friendly and experienced team is always happy to assist you in any way we can.
The recommended dosage of Finasteride is one 1 mg tablet daily. Finasteride may be taken with or without food. Treatment should continuously be assessed by the treating physician. Generally, three to six months of one tablet a day is required before evidence of stabilisation of hair loss can be expected*. Continuous use is recommended to sustain benefit*.
Finasteride is not indicated for use in women or children and adolescents.
*Disclaimer. Individual results may vary
-The active substance is Finasteride. One film-coated tablet contains 1mg of Finasteride
The other ingredients may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, please read the patient infirmation leaflet provided with your tablets to check the other ingredients
Side Effects of Finasteride
With any medication you take, there is always a risk of side effects. Some are more common than others, and often side effects may subside with the regular usage of the medicine. If the side effects do not subside, you should report them to us, or your GP.
The following side effects are important and will require immediate action if you experience them
Stop taking this medicine and talk to your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you have any of the following symptoms:
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
• difficulty swallowing • skin rash, itching, lumps under your skin (hives)
• breathing difficulties
If you notice any of the following, talk to your doctor straight away:
For a full list of side effects, please read the patient information leaflet here
General warnings from our Clinical Lead Dr Roisin McHugh
1.Finasteride/ Dutasteride has in rare cases caused depression. If you develop any symptons of depression such as low mood please stop the medication straight away and discuss with a health care professional.
2.Infertility has been reported in men who took finasteride for long time and had other risk factors that may affect fertility; this should improve on discontinuation of finasteride/ dutasteride. Long-term clinical studies about the effects of finasteride on fertility in men have not been conducted.
3. Finasteride/dutasteride can affect a PSA blood test result, so please inform your own doctor that you are taking it
4. You should promptly report to your doctor any changes in your breast tissue such as lumps, pain, enlargement or nipple discharge as these may be signs of a serious condition, such as breast cancer (very rare).
5. It can cause erectile dysfunction. If you have any questions regarding any of this please email or telephone the pharmacy. Regards Dr Roisin McHugh