Finasteride

Finasteride is a drug used in the treatment of androgenic alopecia, which is more commonly known as male pattern baldness. This is a condition that affects around half of men by the time they reach the age of 50, however, it often begins much earlier than this. The drug acts as an inhibitor, preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can have a damaging effect on hair follicles.

Finasteride can be bought online with a prescription from one of the doctors at Click Pharmacy, subject to a confidential online assessment to check your suitability for the product.

Finasteride for hair loss comes in 1mg tablets in the following doses

28 tablets (1 month)

56 tablets (2 months)

84 tablets (3 months)

168 tablets (6 months)

Research shows that the treatment can lead to a 47% improvement of anagen hair within 48 weeks. This is hair that is in its growth phase. Users can see benefits as quickly as three months after starting treatment, and it is effective in 90% of men with mild to moderate male pattern baldness.

When compared with topical treatments, Finasteride showed regrowth of dense hair in 80% of its users compared to 52%, and although it is unlikely it could restore hair after long-term baldness, it can certainly thicken up hair which has begun to thin.

Taking this medication could help you to get your confidence back and regain your youthful looks.

For hair loss, take 1mg of Finasteride once a day. For guidance on dosages, you can speak to your GP or contact one of our knowledgeable healthcare specialists. Note that the treatment is not suitable for women, adolescents or children.

The drug begins to work from the moment you metabolise the first pill, and as it accumulates in your system, you should begin to see the results from around 12 weeks onwards. As the hair follicles begin to once again move into a growth phase, you should start to notice more obvious changes occurring at around 6 to 9 months, and if you take Finasteride every day without fail, you should see the final results at around 12 months.

For the best results, you should take this medication every day with a full glass of water. You can have it on an empty stomach or with a meal.

It is recommended that you take the tablet at around the same time each day so that the level of drug in the body remains steady.

Please note it will not work faster if you take more than one, so stick with the recommended dosage.

The effects of Finasteride 1mg last as long as it is in the body. This means this medicine can only help prevent hair loss in men when the drug is active in the body. This is because Finasteride blocks the enzyme responsible for producing DHT – the hormone primarily responsible for hair loss.

This means if you stop taking Finasteride, the body will automatically resume the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which will result in hair loss again. Simply put, the hair follicles will respond in the same manner as they did previously, produce thin hair and cause shedding. For actual results, it is vital to take tablets continuously.

If, under any circumstances, you miss a dose of Finasteride, then you should take the dose as soon as you remember. However, remember that if you remember around the time of your next dose, it is crucial to skip the missed dose. Also, do not take double doses, as that could create complications.

If more than 12 hours have passed since the missed dose, then make sure to take the next dose as usual and forget about the missed dose. Never take more than one tablet of Finasteride per day. 

However, Finasteride does not stay in the system for long. So, if you miss several doses, that can slowly cause a rise in DHT (the hormone dihydrotestosterone that causes the hair follicles to shrink). If this occurs, it could reverse any positive results you may have experienced.

Yes, Finasteride is a safe medicine. Most clinical studies consider Finasteride 1mg a generally safe and well-tolerated drug. In addition to this, clinical studies examining men taking Finasteride 1mg found that there are no side effects of Finasteride.

Some people should avoid taking the drug as the risks outweigh the benefits. Avoid taking Finasteride 1mg tablets if any of the following apply:

• If you are a minor (under the age of 18)
• If you have an allergy to the tablets or any of the ingredients present in the tablets
• If you have a kidney, bladder or liver problem (or a history concerning these organs)
• If you are trying for a baby
• If your partner is pregnant

Propecia is the branded version of Finasteride as the unbranded version of the drug. Both of these medicines contain the same ingredients. Medically, they are the same thing. Their efficacy, look, and half-life are the same. One is not better than the other by any means. However, their fundamental difference is that they have different inactive ingredients. This refers to the particles that bind the tablets together. Note that this has no impact on the efficacy of the drugs.

In essence, there is no difference in the effectiveness between Propecia and Finasteride tablets. Therefore, your general practitioner may prescribe you one or the other – depending on a few factors.

No. Unfortunately, you can not get Finasteride from the NHS for hair loss treatment. However, you can purchase the medicine privately from a local or online pharmacy.

Naturally, hair grows in hair follicles for about three years. Then, this newly grown hair falls out, which creates space for new hair growth from the follicle. As men continue to age, they are affected by male pattern hair loss. This refers to the condition where the hair follicles progressively get smaller. Due to this decrease in size, if there is new hair growth, then it is very brittle and thin. As a result, the new hair tends to fall out quicker and does not grow enough to reach the scalp's surface.  

These changes occur due to male hormones. The male hormone testosterone converts into another hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the hair follicles. As time passes, hair follicles tend to become more susceptible to dihydrotestosterone, which causes the hair follicles to shrink in size. 

The medicine, Finasteride 1mg, works by blocking the conversion process of testosterone to DHT. This prevents the shrinking of hair follicles, which results in hair regrowth as well as improved hair thickness in most cases.

There are various alternatives to Finasteride – medicinal and home remedies. However, Regaine Extra Strength (minoxidil 5%) is a popular alternative. It comes in the form of foam and lotion. Regaine Extra Strength must be applied to the scalp twice daily; otherwise, it may not be as effective as marketed.  

You can use Regaine and Finasteride 1mg simultaneously for better results.

Although Finasteride does not present any severe side effects, if you experience any, you should consult your doctor or your pharmacist. Some common ways to reduce the side effects of Finasteride in men may include the following:

• Following the prescribed dosage (avoid making adjustments unless advised),
• Taking the drug at the same time every day,
• Taking a lower dosage.

However, if the side effects persist, it may be in your best interests to stop taking the drug and try the alternative instead.

No. Finasteride is a prescription-only drug. You can only purchase the medicine with a prescription in the UK. You must consult a doctor or a pharmacist before purchasing Finasteride 1mg.  

However, if you wish to purchase the medicine, you can fill out a survey available for free on our website. Our on-site experts will examine the provided survey, which will help determine whether you genuinely require the medicine. Once approved, you will be issued a prescription. With this prescription's help, you can purchase Finasteride from our website without any complications.

Although this is not applicable in every case, yes. An exceptionally high dose of Finasteride treats prostate enlargement. The high dose refers to 5mg tablets of Finasteride, whereas for hair loss, the tablets are typically 1mg.

Not necessarily. Finasteride is a prescription-only drug, so when you purchase it for hair loss treatment, you will get the 1mg version. This is because treating hair loss with one 1mg tablet of Finasteride daily is typical. If an individual decides to take a higher dose of Finasteride to treat hair loss, it will simply increase the side effects without positively impacting the results.

It is essential to take Finasteride 1mg once a day as consistent use results in an improvement. Avoid doing the following:

• Only taking Finasteride 3 days a week
• Splitting the tablets
• Taking either 0.25mg or 0.5mg daily instead of 1mg

The tablet will only have an impact if you take it as directed. Remember that Finasteride works by repressing the conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is responsible for the shrinkage of hair follicles and, ultimately, hair loss.

As mentioned earlier, taking 1mg of Finasteride daily is crucial as this dose helps maintain the suppression. In addition to this, a lower dose may prove to be inefficient in showing results – rendering the tablets useless for hair loss treatment.

Yes, but only sometimes. Men over 40 should not take Finasteride 1mg as no evidence suggests it can regrow hair once a man hits 40.

Absolutely not. Finasteride only aids in hair growth, but if there is no hair to regrow, then it will not work. So, if you have lost all your hair, you will need more than Finasteride.

However, Finasteride can help reverse a receding hairline. A receding hairline is when there is significant hair loss at the front and side (temple region) of the head.

Finasteride does not have any side effects. It does not cause depression, either. However, if you experience depression or low mood, you should stop taking the treatment immediately. Consult your GP.

The effects of Finasteride are not permanent. It can take up to 6 months to experience any improvement in hair growth. In addition to this, the maximum benefits usually last for about two years. It requires continuous treatment for one to experience continuous improvement. If you stop taking the tablets, the impact will gradually fade within the span of a few months.

Although there is no optimal time to take Finasteride, many men prefer to take it in the evening. However, note that you can take it whenever you want. Take the tablet at the same time each day so you do not miss any doses.