Propecia prices

Start order

---

How to take Propecia

Swallow your Propecia tablets whole with a drink of water (with or without food). It does not matter what time of day you take it, just make sure it's around the same time each day.

Effectiveness of Propecia

Improved hair growth may be noticeable as early as 3 months, and is usually more obvious by 4-6 months. Maximum benefit is seen at 1-2 years. At the end of 5 years 90% of men taking Propecia 1mg tablets have more hair than they started with, or they have noticed no further hair loss since starting treatment. This compares with 25% of men not taking Propecia.

How Propecia works

Propecia is a 5AR inhibitor that blocks the enzyme which converts testosterone to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When DHT reaches the scalp it contributes to male pattern hair loss by making hair follicles smaller and hair thinner, so reducing the amount of this hormone encourages hair regrowth.

Further information on how finasteride works.

Who benefits

Propecia is most effective for hair loss over the top of the scalp (vertex) for men with mild to moderate hair loss.

Propecia has NOT been proven to:

• Reverse receding frontal hairline.
• Reverse hair loss which is ONLY in the temple regions (the area at sides of the forehead).
• Restore hair to entirely bald areas.

The best results of Propecia treatment are seen after two years, at which time hair growth is likely to be at its thickest.

If you stop using Propecia the beneficial effects begin to reverse by 6 months and return to baseline by 9-12 months.

When not to take Propecia

You should not take Propecia if:

• Under 18.
• Were assigned female at birth.
• Are 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 Propecia for hair loss but Dr Fox does not supply if you have:

• Previously suffered with sexual problems when taking Propecia 1mg (finasteride) or a similar 5AR medication such as dutasteride.
• Prostate cancer or have had it in the past.
• Male breast enlargement (gynaecomastia) or have been formally diagnosed in the past.
• A history of liver disease as the metabolism of finasteride is likely to be affected.

Cautions

You should consult your usual GP if:

• Hair loss has been rapid and recent (less than a year).
• Hair loss is patchy, irregular, or hair comes out in clumps.
• You have scalp inflammation or acne type spots on the scalp (papules, pustules).
• you have symptoms of serious illness such as unexplained weight loss, fevers, persistent diarrhoea or excessive fatigue.
• A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test is to be done (to detect prostate cancer) as Propecia (finasteride) can cause misleading results.
• You have difficulty passing urine, either starting or with slow flow, as this may be caused by your prostate gland.

Possible side effects of Propecia

Propecia is usually well tolerated but as with all medication side effects are possible.

Some men have reported problems getting an erection, less interest in having sex, or problems with ejaculating - such as having little or no semen. These usually occur during the first year of treatment. Any sexual dysfunction experienced often decreases with the duration of treatment, and usually resolves when treatment is discontinued. If you experience these side effects and they bother you, please stop taking Propecia and consider alternative treatments.

Rarely, persistent sexual dysfunction alongside other symptoms have been reported after stopping treatment and termed 'post-finasteride syndrome' (PFS). Studies have been undertaken, but more research is needed for this diagnosis.

Some men have reported episodes of low mood, depression, and rarely suicidal thoughts. If you develop any of these symptoms, stop treatment and consult your GP straight away.

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 Propecia.

Propecia may affect sex organ development of an unborn baby. Tablets are film-coated for protection and all pregnant women, or women who could become pregnant, are advised not to handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets.

Further information

See the Propecia Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for a full list of side effects. More information can also be found in this 2024 report: MHRA - Safety review of Finasteride.

Side effects can be reported directly via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, also available via their app which can be downloaded from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Alternative treatments

Dr Fox Hair Growth Spray applied to the scalp once daily is an effective treatment for reducing male pattern hair loss. As this product contains finasteride, men should not use it on the same day as taking Propecia tablets.

Regaine Extra Strength and Sons minoxidil are topical treatments applied to the scalp twice daily. Men can use Regaine/Sons minoxidil at the same time as Propecia tablets.

Avodart (generic dutasteride) and oral minoxidil tablets are available off label to treat male pattern hair loss in the UK, but are not currently available from Dr Fox.

Start order