Finasteride Tablets (1mg)

Finasteride 1mg: Prescription Hair Loss Tablets

Finasteride is taken orally and studies have shown it to have a 90% success rate when used to combat hair loss. It’s also great at increasing hair growth, but the treatment is not suitable for use by women.

Generic Propecia: inexpensive but just as effective

The original patent for Propecia was held by Merck Sharp and Dohme, but this expired in the UK in 2014. This meant that pharmaceutical companies were free to release their own generic versions of the medication. 

These cheaper copies contain the same active ingredient (finasteride), but work just as effectively as the original and have been clinically proven to combat male pattern baldness, receding hairlines, and hair thinning effectively.

Finasteride 1mg tablets are produced by several pharmaceutical companies. These include:

• Actavis
• Aurobindo-Milpharm
• Accord Mylan

What causes hair loss in men?

Hair loss is caused by the male hormone testosterone being chemically converted into an androgenic hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Dihydrotestosterone leads to hair loss by causing your hair follicles to shrink, which in turn causes them to fall out. The symptoms of male pattern hair loss can vary from man to man, with men losing hair from different parts of their heads. Usually, men see a thinning of the hair, as well as slower hair re-growth and a change in hair texture and quality. The change is normally gradual, however, that rate can vary from man to man, and it doesn’t usually affect facial hair in the same way.

There are also other forms of hair loss like alopecia areata (spot baldness), that can be brought on by stress. Finasteride would not be effective for treating this type of hair loss.

How Finasteride combats hair loss

Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5a-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone responsible for causing hair loss.

Finasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT, thus preventing hair loss. It does not affect the growth of existing hair, nor does it cause hair to grow back thicker. However, it does slow down the rate at which hair falls out. To work properly, Finasteride must be taken continuously. If the use of Finasteride is discontinued, hair loss will continue, and it’s likely you’ll lose hair at a faster rate, as your body catches up with the body’s reduced DHT levels. 

Finasteride 1mg results

For Finasteride to work effectively, it’s important to take the treatment once daily, ensuring that you never miss a dose. Results can vary, but you should begin to see its effects within three to six months of continuous use. Eventually, you should notice that your hairline stops receding, and in some cases, you may notice some regrowth.

The effects of the treatment will wear off within 6 months of discontinuing treatment, so be sure not to miss any of your doses.

It’s also important to remember that it is practically impossible to regain lost hair, but using Finasteride can prevent any further balding, so it’s always best to take Finasteride as soon as you notice any balding or thinning.

Finasteride price vs Propecia

Finasteride is medically identical to Propecia, but because it’s unbranded, it’s much cheaper. This is because the drug companies don’t have to recoup the high research costs, but Finasteride is still manufactured to the same high standards as its branded equivalent. 

Alternative treatments for hair loss and male pattern baldness

Avodart is an alternative hair loss treatment, containing the active ingredient Dutasteride. Originally intended to treat enlarged prostates, it was then found to work well in combating male pattern baldness. 

Dutasteride can also be taken in conjunction with Minoxidil 5%. Both of these medications can be taken with Finasteride too. 

Finasteride requires a prescription, but if you’re looking for an over-the-counter solution, Regaine Extra Strength is available without a prescription and can be found in most pharmacies on the high street.

Surgery is also an option, but these procedures can be very costly, and the results are never guaranteed. It’s always recommended to try non-surgical remedies first. 

Generally, it’s best to stick to prescription medication. Speak to your GP if you’re not sure.

Finasteride warnings

• The NHS does not offer Finasteride through prescription
• Finasteride must not be handled by pregnant women if the tablet is broken, cracked, crumbled, or crushed, as if absorbed through the skin, it can cause birth defects. However, if the tablet is unbroken, it is fine to handle – each tablet is covered in a protective coating.
• When taking Finasteride, do not donate blood. You must wait a minimum of four weeks after completing your Finasteride course to give blood. This is because if a pregnant woman were to receive the blood of a man who was taking or had taken Finasteride recently, there’s a chance it could harm her unborn baby.
• Finasteride is known to cause reduced sperm volume and infertility, though this is uncommon.
• Finasteride can affect the results of blood tests for the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man’s blood. If you take a blood test while on a course of Finasteride, it’s important to inform your doctor that you are taking the medication.
• Some men have been reported to have developed breast cancer while taking Finasteride. If you notice any pain, lumps, or any other changes in your breast area while taking Finasteride, then notify your doctor of these changes.

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Fevers
• Scalp inflammation
• Persistent diarrhoea
• Discharge from your nipples
• Excessive fatigue
• Hair loss is patchy, irregular, or comes out in clumps

Finasteride 1mg dosage

Those following a prescription of Finasteride should take one tablet once a day, ideally taken at the same time of the day, every day. It can be taken with or without food. For Finasteride to work properly, it must be taken continually.

If you miss your daily dose of Finasteride, then continue taking the same amount of medication as usual. Do not take any extra tablets to cover the missed dose. Don’t take more than one tablet per day — this won’t increase the drug’s effects.

Finasteride 1mg ingredients

Each Finasteride tablet contains finasteride 1mg.

The inactive ingredients may include lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinised starch, lauroyl macrogolglycerides, sodium starch glycollate– Type A, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), yellow and red iron oxide (E172), and macrogol 6000.

Finasteride side effects

These are some of the known side effects of taking Finasteride — these may not affect every person who takes the treatment, but it’s important to be aware of them in case you experience them yourself:

Uncommon frequency: Affects between 1 and 10 people of every 1000:

• Ejaculation disorders – including a reduced volume of ejaculation
• Decrease in sex drive
• Depression
• Impotence – difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection

Unknown frequency:

• Testicular pain
• Tender or swollen breasts
• Hypersensitivity reactions – including hives, itching, rash, or swelling of the face and lips
• Palpitations

Please note:

It’s uncommon for men to experience any side effects when taking Finasteride. Side effects like decreased libido, ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, and impotence, mainly occur during the first year of taking Finasteride, but these usually clear up after the medication has been taken for 2-4 years. Any side effects can be easily resolved by discontinuing the use of the treatment.