Finasteride Tablets 84 x 1mg for hair loss

Finasteride can be an effective treatment for male pattern baldness, a hereditary condition that affects around half of all men. While it can start as early as 20, usually men don’t start to notice excessive hair loss until their late thirties. It is not possible to reverse male pattern baldness, however, it is possible to slow the process down or even stop it completely with the right treatment, such as Finasteride.

Many men are reluctant to see their doctor about baldness; some cite embarrassment, while others simply don’t want to waste their GP’s time. At Oxford Online Pharmacy, you can complete an online questionnaire to allow the doctor to assess whether this is the correct treatment for you. You don’t have to endure the hassle of trying to get an appointment, the embarrassment of seeing your doctor, or the inconvenience of picking up your prescription; your hair loss treatment could be on your doorstep in discreet packaging within 24 hours.

On this page, you will find the following information about Finasteride:

• What is it?
• What is it used for?
• What is the difference between Finasteride and Propecia?
• What are the Finasteride side effects?
• What happens if I stop taking Finasteride?

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is a non-branded (generic term) and is the active ingredient in popular hair-loss drugs such as Propecia. Finasteride belongs to a group of medicines called Type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.  

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, is weaker, and 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.

What is Finasteride used for?

Finasteride is used to treat hair loss with good results. It is also used (in higher doses) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  While Finasteride has proven results for hair loss over the scalp, it cannot cause hair regrowth in completely bald areas, or reverse receding hairlines.

What is the difference between Finasteride and Propecia?

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.

What are the Finasteride side effects?

Finasteride can lead to erectile dysfunction or reduced libido. In most cases, these side effects are reversed once the patient stops taking the treatment. 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. 

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.

What happens if I stop taking Finasteride?

If you experience any serious side effects or an allergic reaction, it is important that you stop taking Finasteride immediately. If you don’t experience any adverse effects, it could take 3-6 months for the drug to have its full effect. If you stop taking Finasteride, you will probably lose the hair that regrew as a result of the treatment within a year. 

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. If the doctor has a different recommendation for you, or if they would like to change the dosage, they will let you know. For more information about hair loss treatment online, please get in touch.

Authored by Stuart Gale, on 20 March 2019. Reviewed by Robert Bradshaw, on 21 March 2019.