Propecia

Finasteride, which is sold under the brand name Propecia, is a treatment for male pattern baldness. This is a genetic condition that causes testosterone to be converted into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which has a damaging effect on follicles and it can slow or stop the production of hair.

Propecia works by preventing this conversion of testosterone into DHT, helping to stop or reverse the balding process though it is most effective in men with mild to moderate hair loss.

Research shows that Propecia is effective in 9 out of 10 men who have mild to moderate male pattern baldness, and it can show positive effects as early as 3 months after treatment has commenced. In addition, it is shown to provide a 47% improvement in counts of anagen hair, which is hair in its growth phase, within 48 weeks.

For anyone genetically prone to male pattern baldness, Propecia can be very effective in putting an end to your thinning hair as long as it is taken every day. One study showed that the active ingredient in Propecia, known as Finasteride, blocks up to 64% of the DHT conversion, which is more than enough to slow down or stop hair loss significantly.

Propecia can be bought online after an assessment with one of our doctors or with a prescription from your own GP. It comes in a 1mg tablet form and can be purchased in the following amounts:

28 tablets (1 month supply)

56 tablets (2 month supply)

84 tablets (3 month supply)

168 tablets (6 month supply)

Men suffering from male pattern baldness will find that their body is converting their testosterone into a hormone called DHT. This hormone blocks vital nutrients from reaching the hair causing hair loss over time.

The active ingredient in Propecia, known as Finasteride, works by blocking this process which in turn slows down and even reverses male pattern baldness.

This treatment is taken in the form of a single 1mg tablet, taken with a large glass of water, at the same time each day so as to keep a level amount of the drug in your system. It can be taken with or without food.

Consult your doctor or speak to our specialists at Click Pharmacy if you would like further information.

Propecia is most known for stopping or slowing the balding process rather than restoring completely lost hair. This is due to the fact that whilst the hair follicle is still growing hair, the drug can help to create a healthier environment for it which will, in turn, kickstart it back into a hair growth cycle.

However, if there is a hair follicle still in place, even one with little or no hair growing from it, Propecia could help to restore its ability to grow hair.

You can expect to notice a difference to your hair density within 3 months of taking Propecia. Due to the miniaturised nature of the hair found in male pattern baldness, it may take longer than this to see more obvious results, but not be discouraged if this is the case. Simply continue taking the medication, as in some cases, it can take up to 12 months before full effects are seen.

If after 12 months you have not noticed a difference, go back to your GP or book an appointment with the doctors here at Click Pharmacy to discuss your options.

The side effects associated with this treatment can include reduced sex drive, erectile dysfunction, nipple tenderness and abnormal ejaculation. In a small minority of cases, more serious side effects may be experienced, but contact your doctor right away in case of experiencing any side effects.

To find out more about the potential side effects, read the patient information leaflet provided with the treatment. If you are unsure of anything or you have any questions, simply contact your doctor or get in touch with our expert team by phone or email.

Propecia has a half-life of 5 to 6 hours which means that to keep the benefits of the medication going, you must continue taking the tablets every day. Once you stop taking Propecia, your testosterone will begin converting into DHT once again, as before, as it will no longer be blocked from doing so by the drug. The hair loss process usually resumes within 6 to 12 months once treatment is discontinued.

It depends. Propecia treats male pattern hair loss. In particular, cases where the hair is receding at the front as well as the temple region or if it is thinning over the top of the head. If this type of hair loss is what you are experiencing, then it may work for you. However, Propecia will not affect other types of hair loss, such as overall hair thinning over the entire scalp or patchy hair loss. In addition, Propecia does not treat all types of male pattern baldness.

Propecia is a brand-name tablet. It contains the active ingredient known as Finasteride – which is the generic version of it. Since it is a brand-name product, it costs more. However, Finasteride is the unbranded version of it, which is relatively cheaper. They function in the same manner.

In some cases, yes. However, Propecia is recommended for men from 18 to 41 years old only. There is no guaranteed benefit for men over 45.

According to the manufacturer of Propecia, when it comes to fertility:

Infertility and impotence can occur in men who take Finasteride for a prolonged period of time. However, halting the use of the drug can lead to normalisation or improvement of seminal quality.