Finasteride
Finasteride 1mg (generic Propecia) daily tablets to treat male pattern baldness. Available to buy online from Dr Fox.
Start orderBuy finasteride online in UK
How to order finasteride online for UK delivery:
- Read medical information about hair loss treatment
- Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
- Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (Royal Mail Tracked 24 service)
Low cost generic Propecia
Since 2014, when Propecia came out of patent protection, lower cost generic finasteride 1mg (from 32p each) has been licensed for sale in the UK. Generic finasteride 1mg tablets and Propecia tablets are medically the same.
Finasteride Prices
- prices
- Prescription
- Compare
- Delivery
Medication | Quantity | Cost |
---|---|---|
Finasteride 1mg (generic) | 28 tablets | £12.20 |
Finasteride 1mg (generic) | 56 tablets | £21.50 |
Finasteride 1mg (generic) | 84 tablets | £31.20 |
Finasteride 1mg (generic) | 168 tablets | £54.00 |
Price match guarantee
Prescription issued online - small prescription fee per order.
Compare prices: Dr Fox prices are 25%-50% lower cost than other online clinics.
About finasteride
- Finasteride 1mg is a generic prescription-only medication taken daily to treat male pattern hair loss in men. It is also available under the brand name Propecia.
- Finasteride reduces the amount of testosterone converted to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which results in hair regrowth and renewed hair thickness in most men.
- After 5 years of taking finasteride 1mg, 90% of men have more or the same amount of hair than they started with.
- Read the manufacturer's patient leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.
- Finasteride can also be used to treat benign prostate enlargement (BPE/BPH), but with a different dose of 5mg daily.
Generic finasteride 1mg and Propecia
The UK patent for Propecia expired in 2014. 'Generic Propecia' or more accurately 'generic finasteride' became available from other pharmaceutical companies. A generic medicine is a medicine which is the same as a branded original, but is prescribed and supplied by its medical name, rather than its brand name.
Propecia is a brand name. The active ingredient of Propecia tablets is finasteride 1mg. Propecia tablets and finasteride 1mg tablets are medically the same. Dr Fox may supply any UK licensed generic version (Accord, Amarox, Bristol, Mylan, Milpharm/Aurobindo, Relonchem). Dr Fox pharmacy can often supply a preferred generic brand on request.
How long does it take to work?
Clinical studies show improved hair growth is usually noticeable after 4-6 months of taking finasteride 1mg daily. Maximum benefit is seen at 1-2 years. At 2 years 66% of men had improved hair growth counts compared to 7% of those taking no drug.
The studies were conducted on men aged 18 to 41 years of age with mild to moderate hair loss, but not complete hair loss.
How does finasteride work?
Hair grows in hair follicles normally for about three years. The hair then falls out and a new hair grows from the follicle. For men affected by male pattern hair loss, as they age, hair follicles gradually become smaller. New hair becomes thinner and falls out more quickly, eventually not growing enough to break the surface of the scalp (balding).
Male hormones cause these changes. Hair follicles convert the male hormone testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles become more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone and this causes the hair follicles to shrink.
Finasteride 1mg blocks testosterone conversion to DHT which results in hair regrowth and improved hair thickness in most men.
Who benefits
Men at any stage of male pattern hair loss are likely to benefit. Finasteride 1mg is most effective for hair loss over the top of the scalp (vertex). It has NOT been proven to reverse receding frontal hairline, hair loss which is ONLY in the temple regions, nor restore hair to entirely bald areas.
When not to take finasteride
You should not take finasteride if:
- Under 18 or assigned female at birth.
- Already taking another 5AR medication such as dutasteride or finasteride 5mg for another condition e.g. prostate cancer or enlarged prostate gland.
- You have a known allergy to finasteride.
You may be able to take finasteride for hair loss but Dr Fox does not supply if you have:
- Previously suffered with sexual problems when taking finasteride or a similar 5AR medication such as dutasteride.
- Prostate cancer or have had it in the past.
- Male breast enlargement (gynaecomastia) or have had it in the past.
- A history of liver disease as the metabolism of finasteride is likely to be affected.
Cautions
- If hair loss has been rapid and recent (less than a year), or where there are symptoms of serious illness - such as unexplained weight loss, fevers, persistent diarrhoea, or excessive fatigue, or there is also loss of eyebrows or eyelashes - your GP should be consulted.
- If hair loss is patchy or irregular, or comes out in clumps, or there is scalp inflammation, papules or pustules, you should consult your GP or a dermatologist.
- Blood tests carried out to detect prostate cancer (PSA) can give misleading results when finasteride 1mg is being taken. Tell your doctor that you are taking Propecia/finasteride, if you are having a PSA test.
- If you are also having difficulty passing urine either starting the flow or with very slow flow, please consult your GP as this may be caused by your prostate gland.
- If treatment is stopped, the beneficial effects begin to reverse by 6 months and return to baseline by 9-12 months.
- Pregnant women should not come into contact with Propecia/finasteride 1mg tablets. It may affect the baby's sex organ development. For this reason tablets are film coated and women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.
Possible side effects of finasteride
Propecia/finasteride side effects are usually mild.
Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction are possible.
There are some case reports of diminished libido or erectile dysfunction persisting after stopping Propecia/finasteride. However sexual problems usually settle once finasteride has washed out of the system.
In 2017 the NHS reviewed a new study and concluded that If sexual problems do occur, the drug can be stopped and the problem will resolve in nearly all cases
. Extremely rarely, patients report symptoms linked to post-finasteride syndrome. An editorial in the British Medical Journal in 2019 supported this position, but suggested a need for further research.
Important: if you develop any lumps or experience pain in your breast area, or discharge from your nipples, please consult your GP. There have been rare reports of breast cancer in men who have taken finasteride.
Some men have reported episodes of depressive illness in association with the use of Propecia/finasteride 1mg for male pattern hair loss. There are also some reports of men developing suicidal thoughts. If low mood, depression, or suicidal thoughts develop, stop treatment and consult your GP straight away.
See the finasteride patient leaflet for a full list of side effects. Side effects can be reported directly via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme website or their app which can be downloaded from Google Play or Apple's App Store.
Alternative hair loss treatments
Regaine Extra Strength/minoxidil 5% foam or lotion applied to the scalp twice daily is the only other proven effective hair loss treatment. Regaine and finasteride 1mg can be used at the same time.
Dr Fox Hair Growth Spray is also available - it is a topical solution containing finasteride 0.3% and minoxidil 5%.
Dutasteride 0.5mg (brand name Avodart) is another 5AR inhibitor which works in the same way as finasteride to prevent male pattern baldness. In theory dutasteride is more potent than finasteride, and is therefore a more effective treatment. However dutasteride does not have a licence to be used to prevent hair loss and so it's prescription is off label. Dr Fox currently does not supply dutasteride.
Patient Information Leaflet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.
Finasteride 1mg FAQs
Why should men see a doctor before starting treatment?
Is finasteride used to treat anything else apart from male pattern hair loss?
Will finasteride work better if I take a higher dose?
Can I take less than finasteride 1mg daily or take it less often, to reduce the risk of side effects?
Does finasteride work in women?
Does finasteride work in older men?
Does finasteride work in all men?
Does finasteride reduce sex drive and fertility?
Will finasteride reverse complete hair loss?
Can finasteride cause depression?
Are the improvements with finasteride long-lasting?
Is finasteride 1mg available through the NHS?
When is the best time of day to take finasteride?
Does finasteride cause prostate cancer?

Authored 30 June 2016 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328
Reviewed by Dr A. Wood, Dr C. Pugh, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 06 March 2024
Last updated 12 March 2025
Editorial policy
References
- Aurobindo Pharma - Milpharm, 2023, Finasteride 1mg tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics, accessed 06 March 2024
- DiCE, 2023, Best Practice Guidelines For Online Prescribing of 5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors for Androgenic Alopecia, accessed 06 March 2024
- NICE, 2022, Male pattern hair loss (male androgenetic alopecia), accessed 07 March 2024
- BNF/NICE, 2023, Finasteride, accessed 06 March 2024
Recent Finasteride 1mg reviews
Finasteride 1mg rated 4.63/5 in 719 product reviews
See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox
Best thing ever. I was losing my hair fast and this has brought it all back.
22 April 2025
Anonymous
Verified
Been taking this for a few years now. First couple of months I had some mild side effects but continued on and now I'm 100 percent. Feeling great. Hair is better than ever. Highly recommend.
11 April 2025
K. Eggleston
Verified
6 months in It's working for me! I can note the difference in thickness and texture. I will add I also added a Vitamin routine to my diet at the same time.
12 November 2024
Anonymous
Verified
Very good product, less hair dropping out after 2 weeks
12 November 2024
R. Harrison
Verified
Really noticeable results, personally no major side effects other than some light face rash's, though this may not even be product related
15 October 2024
Anonymous
Verified
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