Finasteride

Where can I buy Finasteride online?

UK Meds stocks both generic Finasteride 1mg and branded Propecia tablets for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. All medicines are dispensed from UK pharmacies and shipped securely to your address.

Before placing your order, you'll need to complete a short online consultation with a registered independent prescriber. This ensures the medicine is safe and suitable for you. Once approved, your medication will be delivered directly to your door with tracked delivery options available.

Is it legal to buy it in the UK?

Yes, it is legal to buy finasteride in the UK, but you can't purchase it over-the-counter as it is a prescription-only medication. You will need a prescription from a licensed medical provider. You can obtain this in-person or through an online consultation.

Learn more about the Finasteride prescription requirements in the UK.

Can I get Finasteride on subscription?

Yes, you can get Finasteride 1mg on subscription at UK Meds. This means your tablets are delivered automatically when needed, saving you time and money. Our subscription service is more cost-effective than other providers like Lloyds, Numan, Sons UK, or Hims.

Can I get Finasteride at Boots?

Finasteride Boots

Yes, Finasteride is available at Boots. However, UK Meds offers competitive pricing and extra savings when buying in larger quantities or choosing a subscription. You can get Finasteride delivered discreetly to your door, often at a lower cost than high street prices.

Can I get Finasteride at Superdrug?

Superdrug Finasteride

Finasteride is also available at Superdrug. But if you’re looking for a better deal, UK Meds provides lower prices and convenient options for larger orders or repeat prescriptions through our subscription service.

For more information on the prescription hair loss treatment patients should refer to the Finasteride 1mg patient information leaflet.

What do users say about Finasteride?

Many people in the UK use Finasteride to treat male pattern baldness or an enlarged prostate (BPH). You can read reviews from real UK Meds customers above to learn how this medication has helped them.

For even more feedback, visit trusted sources like Drugs.com or WebMD, where people share their experiences and testimonials with Finasteride.

It’s important to remember that everyone responds differently to medication. Just because Finasteride didn’t work for one person doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. If your prescriber thinks it’s a suitable option, it’s worth trying under their guidance.

Reading reviews can give you useful insights, but always talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. They can help you decide if Finasteride is safe and right for your individual needs.

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is a prescription treatment commonly used to treat male pattern baldness (hair loss on the scalp) and enlarged prostate (BPH). It’s also sometimes prescribed to women for other conditions, such as excessive hair growth or as part of hormone therapy for transgender women (Leinung et al, 2018). The most well-known branded version is Propecia, but Finasteride is the more affordable generic version.

Finasteride works by reducing levels of a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which plays a major role in causing hair loss. By lowering DHT in the scalp, Finasteride can help stop hair thinning and support new hair growth. It is taken as a daily tablet and is considered the first-line treatment for male pattern hair loss in the UK.

How Does Finasteride Work?

In men, testosterone is naturally converted into DHT. This hormone helps during puberty, but in adulthood, too much DHT can shrink hair follicles and stop new hair from growing (Ntshinila et al, 2023). Finasteride blocks the enzyme (Type II 5α-reductase) that turns testosterone into DHT (Anitha et al, 2009; Kaufman & Dawber, 1999). By lowering DHT levels, Finasteride protects hair follicles from damage and allows them to recover, promoting new growth and slowing down hair loss.

This process can stop further balding and, in many cases, help regrow hair, especially in men with mild to moderate hair loss (Rossi et al, 2011).

What is DHT?

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a male hormone that helps in sexual development, impacting traits like a deeper voice and facial hair during puberty (Kinter et al, 2023; Society for Endocrinology, 2021). In adult men, too much DHT can harm hair follicles and lead to balding (Ustuner, E.; 2013). Finasteride reduces DHT levels, helping to preserve and restore hair growth.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Finasteride?

Hair loss can affect confidence and mental wellbeing. Finasteride is clinically proven to help slow hair loss and encourage hair regrowth in most men (Leyden et al, 1999). In a study of 326 men with mild to moderate thinning hair, taking 1mg of Finasteride daily helped reduce further hair loss and increased hair growth, especially in the frontal and crown areas of the scalp.

Using Finasteride can lead to improved self-esteem and a better quality of life for men affected by male pattern baldness.

How Long Does It Take for Finasteride to Work?

Finasteride starts working straight away to reduce DHT levels, but visible results take time, typically, most users will begin to see a noticeable improvement between 3 to 6 months after starting treatment. For full results, it may take up to 6 to 9 months (Kaplan & Olsson, 1996). You should notice less hair falling out and some regrowth in thinning areas.

It’s important to take Finasteride every day for the best results. If you stop taking it, you may experience hair loss again.

How Do I Take Finasteride?

Finasteride Tablets

Finasteride 1mg should be taken once a day, ideally at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

If you forget a dose and remember within 6 hours, take it straight away. If more than 6 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take the next one at your normal time. Never take two doses together.

Missing a dose occasionally is unlikely to affect results, but regular use is important for the best outcome.

How Do I Use Finasteride Correctly?

Finasteride is a prescription-only medicine, so you should always follow your doctor’s advice and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine.

Take one tablet a day with water. Don’t break, chew, or crush the tablet, as this can affect how it works.

You’ll need to keep taking Finasteride every day for a few months before you notice results. Most men see improvement after 3 to 6 months, but it may take up to 9 months. Your doctor will review your progress and advise whether you should continue.

Video: How to Take Finasteride

Watch this video from Dr O'Donovan to learn how to take Finasteride properly to treat male hair loss:

Note: This video is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from your doctor or healthcare professional.

How Long Should I Take Finasteride?

You should take Finasteride for as long as you want to keep the results. It’s safe to use for many months or even years if your doctor agrees it’s suitable for you. Hair regrowth takes time, so you might not see full results for 6 to 12 months.

If you stop taking Finasteride, any new hair growth will fall out, and you’ll likely return to the same pattern of hair loss as before treatment (Patel, R.; 2023). To keep your results, it’s important to continue daily use unless your doctor advises otherwise.

What Happens If You Stop Taking Finasteride?

Most men see the best results after around 2 years of regular use. If you stop taking it, you could lose those results within 6 to 12 months. Your hair may go back to how it was before treatment.

What If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take a dose:

• Less than 6 hours late: Take the tablet as soon as you remember.
• More than 6 hours late: Skip the missed dose. Take the next one at the normal time.

Never take two tablets at once. If you forget regularly, try setting a daily reminder or alarm. Speak to your doctor if you need more help managing your medication schedule.

What Are the Common Side Effects of Finasteride?

Like all medicines, Finasteride can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most are mild and go away over time. The most common side effects include:

• Reduced sex drive (low libido)
• Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Changes to ejaculation (such as less semen than usual)

Less Common but Serious Side Effects

While rare, some people may experience more serious symptoms such as:

• Swelling, pain, or lumps in the chest area
• Discharge from the nipples (this could be a warning sign of male breast cancer)
• Feeling low, anxious, or depressed

Reporting Side Effects

If you notice any side effects that concern you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist straight away. You can also report any side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme to help monitor medicine safety in the UK.

Can Finasteride Be Harmful During Pregnancy?

Yes, Finasteride should never be taken or handled by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It can harm an unborn baby, especially male foetuses, even through skin contact.

If your partner is pregnant, avoid exposing her to the tablets and use condoms during sex. If you’re trying for a baby, speak to your doctor first before starting or continuing treatment with Finasteride.

Always consult your healthcare provider before starting Finasteride to make sure it’s safe and appropriate for your individual health needs.

Below UK Meds answer the most commonly asked questions from our patients about Finasteride:

Are there non-medical alternatives to Finasteride?

Yes. Some non-prescription options for hair loss include:

• Styling techniques: Using sprays, mousses, or dye to disguise thinning areas.
• Hairpieces or wigs: These can help cover bald patches but may pull on natural hair if used long term.
• Hair transplants: A surgical solution, though you may still need Finasteride or Minoxidil afterwards to keep your results.

How long should I take Finasteride to see results?

You may need to take Finasteride for up to 12 months to see full results. Some men notice less hair loss within the first 3–6 months, while others need longer (Nestor et al, 2021). Even if new hair growth doesn’t occur, Finasteride may still help to prevent further hair loss (McClellan & Markham, 1999).

Can Finasteride cause erectile dysfunction?

Yes, some users report erectile dysfunction (ED) (Hirshburg et al, 2016), reduced libido (Mysore, V.; 2012; Irwig & Kolukula, 2011), or other sexual side effects. These are generally uncommon but can continue once the medication is stopped (Singh & Avram, 2014), it’s best to speak with your doctor if you’re concerned.

Does Finasteride cause weight loss?

There is no strong evidence linking Finasteride to weight loss or weight gain (McQueen & Amengual, 2020). A study by Song et al (2007) with 10,057 participants found that in contrast to experiencing weight loss, there are significant associations between prostate cancer outcomes and weight gain in men treated with Finasteride, suggesting that there are closely related individual-level factors that affect responses to both treatments, though this study is niche and more research is required to understand if there is a significant link between finasteride treatment and weight gain and / or weight loss in patients. Everyone’s body reacts differently, so speak with a doctor if you notice unexpected changes.

How long does Finasteride stay in your system?

Finasteride has a short half-life of 6–8 hours in the blood (Mysore, V., 2012), but its effects on hormone levels may last longer. DHT levels usually return to normal about two weeks after stopping the medication (Zito et al, 2022; Pereira & Coelho, 2020).

Can women take Finasteride?

Finasteride is not usually recommended for women and should never be used during pregnancy. In rare cases, a specialist may prescribe it for certain conditions, but this is uncommon.

Do I need to take Finasteride after a hair transplant?

No, you don't need to take finasteride after a hair transplant but it could help you to maintain and enhance the results of your transplant. While Finasteride doesn’t impact transplanted hair, it can protect and preserve your existing hair from thinning further.

Does Finasteride increase testosterone?

Yes, in some cases. Finasteride can lead to small increase in testosterone, especially in men who have lower levels to begin with (Roehrborn et al (2003). This is because it blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a key hormone involved in male hair loss and prostate growth.

Can men take Finasteride while trying to conceive?

Finasteride may affect sperm quality in some men. While the risk is low, it’s recommended to use condoms if your partner is pregnant or you’re trying to conceive. Sperm usually returns to normal after stopping the medication.

Does Finasteride cause cancer?

The risk is still being studied. There’s no confirmed link, but rare cases of male breast cancer and prostate cancer have been reported (GOV.UK, 2014; Anitha et al, 2009). Always speak to your doctor about risks.

Does Finasteride affect beard growth?

Finasteride mainly targets scalp hair loss. Early research suggests it does not affect beard growth, but more studies are needed (Inadomi, T.; 2014).

Can Finasteride affect urination?

Yes. Finasteride is sometimes used to treat benign prostate enlargement, which can help men urinate more easily and reduce symptoms like needing to pee often or urgently (McConnell et al, 1998; Tackling et al, 2010).

UK Meds is committed to providing you with the most accurate information possible regarding healthcare and lifestyle, as outlined in our Editorial Policy and Content Policy. We aim to regularly peer review and update our content as necessary to give you the most up-to-date medical information, helping you to be fully informed before starting a consultation with a registered prescriber for the treatment that you need.

Please note that our content is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any treatment or making any changes that could affect your lifestyle, you should always speak with your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Page Last Updated:

9th June 2025

• NHS - Finasteride
• BNF - Finasteride
• Drugs.com - Finasteride
• Patient.info - Finasteride for Male Pattern Baldness
• ScienceDirect - Finasteride

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