Finasteride 1mg

Finasteride 1mg tablets are a prescription-only medication used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men. It belongs to a class of medications known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

These tablets contain the active ingredient finasteride and are a generic version of the branded medication Propecia. Both versions work in the same way to prevent or slow further hair loss and promote hair regrowth by targeting a hormone responsible for the shrinkage of hair follicles called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Finasteride 1mg tablets are designed to treat male pattern hair loss by addressing the underlying hormonal changes that contribute to hair thinning and hair loss. It does this by stopping the conversion of testosterone to DHT, a hormone that causes hair follicles to shrink and stop growing hair over time.

When DHT levels are lowered by finasteride, this helps to:

• prevent further hair loss
• promote new hair growth
• revive dormant (not dead) hair follicles

How long does finasteride last?

Finasteride is a medication designed to be taken daily on a long-term basis. Its effects last as long as you keep taking it. If you stop taking finasteride, then DHT levels will rise again, and hair loss will resume, typically within 6 to 12 months.

How long does finasteride take to work?

It will take some time for finasteride tablets to show visible results as they work gradually, and hair growth is a slow process. You will not see immediate changes, but most users do begin to notice improvements within the first 3 to 6 months of treatment. Maximum benefits can usually be seen after at least 12 months of use.

How effective is finasteride?

Finasteride 1mg is an effective treatment for male pattern hair loss, with results supported by long-term clinical studies. Research shows that up to 90% of men benefit from long-term daily use.

A 5-year clinical study of daily treatment with 1mg of finasteride tablets showed that:

• 48% of men experienced visible hair regrowth
• an additional 42% had no further hair loss, showing successful stabilisation

This means that 9 out of 10 men see either a reduction in hair loss or noticeable regrowth with consistent use of finasteride 1mg. The effectiveness of finasteride can vary between individuals, but it’s often a trusted initial treatment choice for male pattern hair loss.

If you are not seeing results on finasteride after at least 12 months, speak to your doctor or healthcare provider, as they may be able to suggest alternative treatments.

Take 1 whole finasteride 1mg tablet per day, ideally at the same time. You can take the tablet with or without food. Only take 1 tablet per day, as prescribed. Taking more will not be more effective or produce faster results.

How long do you have to take finasteride for?

Finasteride 1mg tablets are designed to be taken long-term to prevent hair loss. This means taking them every day for as long as you want to stop or slow down hair loss.

You should try to avoid skipping any doses, as being consistent is key to getting the best results from finasteride. If you stop taking finasteride, the effects will be reversed, and you may start to notice hair loss again.

Finasteride, like all medications, may cause some side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 men) include:

• ​​erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection)
• ejaculation issues (like a reduction in the amount of semen released during sex)
• reduced sex drive or low libido

These side effects are usually mild and may go away with continued use or after stopping the medication.

The following side effects have been reported by some users, but due to limited available data, their exact frequency is not known. These may include:

• breast swelling or tenderness (gynecomastia)
• pain in the testicles
• blood in semen
• palpitations (feeling your heartbeat)
• changes in liver function (detected in a blood test)
• male infertility and/or poor semen quality

Persistent side effects

Some side effects may continue even after stopping finasteride. It’s important to speak with your doctor if you notice any of the following persistent symptoms and they do not improve after discontinuing treatment:

• erectile dysfunction
• reduced libido
• ejaculation issues after stopping treatment

Rare side effects

While rare, some serious side effects have been reported with finasteride use. These side effects include:

• severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), symptoms include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives, or trouble swallowing – this is a medical emergency, call 999 straight away
• changes in breast tissue, such as pain, swelling, lumps, or nipple discharge – these could be signs of a serious condition, including male breast cancer, and if you notice any of these changes, contact your doctor as soon as you can

Most side effects are mild and temporary, and many men take finasteride without experiencing any problems. For a full list of side effects and more information related to side effects, always read the patient information leaflet included in the packaging along with your medication.

How long do finasteride side effects last?

Most finasteride side effects are temporary and will often improve with continued use or after you stop taking the medication. If side effects become bothersome or start to affect your daily life, speak to your healthcare provider about stopping your treatment.

You can also speak to your doctor about alternative hair loss treatment options.

Some rare side effects, like erectile dysfunction or lower sex drive, can persist after treatment is discontinued, but this is rare.

What to do if you get finasteride side effects

Most side effects from finasteride 1mg tablets are mild and will go away as you get used to the medication, but some may require medical advice or for you to stop treatment, so it’s good to be aware of what to do if you do get side effects.

What to do if you get mild side effects

If you experience mild side effects such as a reduced sex drive, erection issues, or other mild symptoms, monitor them as these will often improve with continued use.

Speak to your healthcare provider if:

• the side effects do not go away and are impacting your daily life
• you notice breast changes (pain, lumps, or discharge)
• you feel low, anxious, or notice mood changes

Your doctor can advise you whether to stop taking finasteride or explore alternative hair loss treatments.

Finasteride is generally well-tolerated by most people, but it is not suitable for everyone. There are certain medical conditions and medications that can interfere with how it works or increase the risk of side effects. That’s why it’s important to check with your doctor before starting treatment.

Do not take finasteride if you are:

• a woman
• under 18
• are already prescribed finasteride or dutasteride for an enlarged prostate (BPH)
• allergic to any of the ingredients in finasteride

Pregnant women must not handle broken or crushed finasteride tablets, as they may cause harm to a developing male foetus.

Speak to your doctor before starting finasteride treatment if you:

• have liver problems
• are undergoing a PSA test for prostate cancer, as finasteride can lower PSA levels and affect test accuracy
• have urinary problems or a history of prostate issues

Finasteride and other medications

Finasteride has few known drug interactions, but always discuss any other medications or supplements you are taking, have taken, or might take before starting treatment. This includes prescribed, over-the-counter, and herbal medications.

You cannot take finasteride for hair loss if you are already taking a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (like finasteride or dutasteride) for a prostate problem called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Finasteride is a prescription-only medication, so you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it from a pharmacy. It’s available with a private prescription from private clinics and reputable online pharmacy services, but not from the NHS for hair loss.

Can I buy finasteride 1mg online?

Yes, you can buy finasteride 1mg tablets online through trusted online doctor services like Asda Online Doctor. To request finasteride 1mg tablets from us, you will need to:

• fill out a quick and confidential online consultation
• sit back, while one of our UK-registered clinicians review your answers and, if finasteride is suitable, they will prescribe it for you

Your finasteride 1mg tablets can be delivered discreetly to your door or collected from your nearest ASDA Pharmacy. Our service is 100% confidential, quick, and easy to use, without the need to see a doctor face-to-face.

Can I buy finasteride over the counter?

No, finasteride is a prescription-only medicine, which means it cannot be bought over the counter in the UK. You need a prescription from a doctor to get it safely and legally.

Some medications, like creams and gels, may be available over the counter for male pattern hair loss, but these do not contain finasteride.

Can I get finasteride on the NHS?

No, finasteride 1mg tablets for hair loss are not available on the NHS. You’ll need a private prescription to get this treatment.

An NHS doctor may be able to issue a private prescription, but you’ll need to pay the full cost of the medication, not the usual NHS prescription fee.

There are alternative treatments for male pattern hair loss, including Propecia, topical minoxidil (a cream commonly known by the brand name Regaine). Some men also explore combining treatments like tablets and creams.

What hair loss treatments does Asda Online Doctor offer?

At Asda Online Doctor, we offer 2 clinically proven oral treatments for male pattern hair loss:

• finasteride 1mg, a generic (unbranded medication) that comes as a daily tablet and works by reducing levels of the hormone DHT, which causes hair loss in men
• Propecia, the branded version of finasteride 1mg, which contains the same active ingredient (finasteride) and works in exactly the same way

Both of these treatments are suitable for men aged 18 and over, experiencing male pattern hair loss.

Finasteride vs Propecia

The only differences between finasteride and Propecia are the brand name and the price. Both contain 1mg of finasteride and are equally effective at treating male pattern baldness as they work in the same way to lower levels of DHT, the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss. Both options are available through Asda Online Doctor.

Finasteride vs minoxidil

Finasteride and minoxidil (brand name Regaine) are 2 common treatments for male pattern hair loss, but they work differently:

• finasteride is a once-daily tablet that lowers levels of DHT, the hormone that shrinks hair follicles
• minoxidil is a topical solution (cream) that helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp to encourage hair growth

Which works better?

Finasteride 1mg tablets are a more effective treatment for male pattern hair loss. In a 12‑month randomised study of 65 men with male pattern hair loss:

• 80% taking finasteride 1mg reported visible hair improvement
• 52% of those using 5% topical minoxidil reported visible hair improvement

Can you use finasteride and minoxidil together?

Yes, finasteride 1mg tablets and minoxidil can be and often are used together in combination treatment as they do not interact negatively.

Some clinical studies suggest that using finasteride and minoxidil together can be more effective than using either treatment alone. However, you should always check with your GP or a pharmacist before combining treatments to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you.