Finasteride Tablets (Generic Propecia)

Finasteride 1mg tablets, sometimes sold under the brand names Propecia and Proscar, are a type of medication used to treat hair loss and male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is a common condition amongst men that involves hair loss at the hairline and crown (top) of the head.

Also used to treat men with an enlarged prostate who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms, finasteride comes in tablet form. Finasteride tablets are available to buy through Cloud Pharmacy’s website in a 1mg dose. The tablets are also available in a 5mg dose, which is usually used to treat BPH.

Finasteride is suitable for men over the age of 18. It is not usually recommended for women or children.

The active ingredient in finasteride tablets is finasteride. In finasteride 1mg tablets, there is 1mg of finasteride, in finasteride 5mg tablets, there is 5 mg of finasteride. Finasteride tablets also contain inactive ingredients including lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, cellulose microcrystalline, starch pregelatinised, magnesium stearate and docusate sodium.

Finasteride is an effective hair loss medication widely used to treat male pattern baldness and symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Male pattern baldness — also known as androgenic alopecia — is the most common type of male hair loss. This type of hair loss is gradual. Men usually start to experience receding at the top of the head (thinning at the hairline on their forehead) or crown and temple hair loss (gradual thinning at the crown and temples). Male pattern baldness can contribute to a ‘V-shape’ hairline that is known as a ‘widow’s peak’.

BPH — also known as benign prostatic obstruction or benign prostatic hypertrophy — is when the prostate gland (which produces the fluid that transports and nourishes sperm) is enlarged and not cancerous. It’s a health issue which is more common in older men. The prostate gland is located just below your bladder.

This widely used medication is endorsed by many reputable hair loss clinics and surgeons in the UK as an effective non-surgical hair loss treatment.

Finasteride 1 mg works by blocking the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The function of this enzyme is to convert testosterone in the body into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can prevent the growth of hair. By blocking 5-alpha reductase, testosterone cannot be converted into DHT, therefore reducing the likelihood of excessive hair loss.

Research has shown that DHT plays a key role in perpetuating male pattern baldness. The effect of DHT at your hair’s receptor sites (at the base of the hair follicles) is to weaken and diminish the hair shaft. By slowing or inhibiting its production, we can minimise damage to the hair follicles, stop the progression of male pattern baldness and stimulate hair growth. 

Finasteride has the capability to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth in men with mild to moderate hair loss within around three months of continuous use. Results tend to be positive, however, not all lost hair will grow back. If you stop the medication, the hair that has grown will only stay for 12 months.

Other parts of your body won’t be affected when you take finasteride.

Yes, finasteride tablets can help to regrow hair. While finasteride’s primary function is to prevent further hair loss, for some people, it is also able to help hair regrow over time.

A review of finasteride’s use in male pattern hair loss found that 66% of study participants showed hair growth after two years of taking finasteride.

Dutasteride and finasteride are both medications that may be used to treat male pattern baldness, as well as BPH.

Like finasteride, dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that enables the blocking of DHT formation, significantly reducing hair loss. While finasteride comes in tablets, dutasteride comes in capsules or a liquid. Finasteride is available in strengths of 1mg and 5mg strengths, while dutasteride capsules are 0.5 mg.

Dutasteride and finasteride share some potential side effects, such as decreased sex drive, testicle swelling and testicle pain.

A review which compared the efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating male pattern baldness concluded that it ‘seems to provide a better efficacy compared with finasteride’. 

Minoxidil is a treatment for male pattern baldness, sudden hair thinning (telogen effluvium), some types of female baldness, and high blood pressure.

Unlike finasteride, minoxidil comes in a topical solution. Minoxidil is an antihypertensive vasodilator. After being applied to the scalp, it works by expanding the blood vessels; increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.

The common potential side effects of minoxidil are different to those of finasteride and include a burning sensation after application, skin irritation and excessive hair growth.

Finasteride and minoxidil work differently to slow hair loss and can be used safely as complementary treatments. Minoxidil is more effective in treating a wider range of hair loss types, including sudden hair thinning.

Finasteride is safe provided you take the tablets as prescribed. People can take the treatment for a long time — even years — without encountering any problems. You should only take the tablets if you are a suitable candidate. 

You may be suitable for finasteride if you have male pattern baldness or BPH. The ideal candidate for hair loss treatment with finasteride will be in the early stages of hair loss or thinning.

Although there are no major drug interactions with finasteride, it may affect the results of blood tests performed to detect prostate cancer.

You may not be suitable for finasteride if you:

• Have suicidal thoughts
• Are a male breast cancer patient
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have liver problems
• Have high-grade prostate cancer 

Yes, you can drink alcohol with Finasteride. However, you should be aware that if you experience difficulty getting an erection or trouble ejaculating as a side effect, this may worsen with alcohol. Studies also show that Finasteride can interfere with the body’s ability to produce hormones called neurosteroids which may reduce a person’s desire for alcohol. 

There is a slightly heightened risk of Finasteride affecting your mental health. This is uncommon, and normally the benefits of taking Finasteride tablets outweigh the small risk of depression. However, speak to a doctor if you are worried about this or if you have a history of depression or other mental health issues.

If you experience any depressive thoughts, including those of self-harm or suicide, stop taking the medication promptly and seek immediate medical care. It is also a good idea to let somebody around you, such as a partner, close friend, or family member, know about these small risks, so they can determine if you have any mood changes as well.

While Finasteride is not usually advised for women, it could affect women if their partner is taking it and they are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

If you are pregnant and your partner is taking Finasteride, use a condom while having sex. This is because the medication can pass through into their semen and potentially harm your baby.

You should not try to conceive while your partner is taking Finasteride tablets.

If you are pregnant, do not touch any Finasteride tablets that have been broken or crushed. This is because Finasteride tablets can enter your bloodstream and potentially harm your baby.

There are no known reactions with Finasteride and other medications. Therefore, you should be safe to take the medication even if you are on others. However, it is still advisable to consult with your doctor, as recommendations change.

St John’s Wort is a natural supplement that some people take for depression. An ingredient in this could stop Finasteride from working normally. If you take St John’s Wort, consult with your doctor or pharmacist about the best course of action.

Finasteride reviews are mixed, with some men not noticing a difference with hair loss and others reporting sexual side effects. However, others have experienced a reversal of hair loss and are much more comfortable with prostate enlargement issues. Every reviewer also found it to be very safe, with few severe side effects. Depending on your unique situation, you may feel that Finasteride 1mg tablets are right for you. 

It’s important to keep in mind that Finasteride tablets are effective at stopping further hair loss, it cannot necessarily reverse it. Although it aids hair follicles in the production of new hairs, not everyone will experience noticeable hair growth. However, over 88% of men taking Finasteride discovered that their hair loss halted within 6-12 months, and 66% of them reported hair regrowth. 

If you want to try a faster and more permanent solution for hair regeneration, we recommend consulting with a hair specialist only once you have used Finasteride. 

If you stop taking Finasteride 1mg, the symptoms of prostate enlargement and hair loss will likely come back. This is because the medication has a short half-life. This is one of the reasons why men take Finasteride for a long time.

You should not stop taking Finasteride tablets without consulting with a doctor first.

You cannot buy finasteride in the UK without a prescription. However, for male pattern baldness, you can buy Finasteride online. If you need finasteride for prostate enlargement, it is advisable to speak to your doctor about your situation and get a prescription from them.

You can buy finasteride tablets through our online pharmacy once you have completed a short online consultation. Once the consultation has been approved by one of our medical professionals, we will ship the treatment to you in a discreet package the very next day.