Propecia
Propecia (finasteride 1mg) tablets to improve thinning hair and prevent further hair loss in men, and help restore hair growth. Available to buy online from Dr Fox Pharmacy.
- Long term daily tablet
- Clinically proven
Buy Propecia online in UK
How to order Propecia 1mg tablets 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)
Generic Propecia
Since 2014 lower cost generic Propecia, finasteride 1mg, has been licensed for sale in the UK. Generic finasteride 1mg tablets and the original branded Propecia tablets are medically the same and are both available from Dr Fox.
Propecia prices
- prices
- Prescription
- Compare
- Delivery
Medication | Quantity | Cost |
---|---|---|
Propecia 1mg | 28 tablets | £42.40 |
Propecia 1mg | 56 tablets | £81.70 |
Propecia 1mg | 84 tablets | £108.40 |
Propecia 1mg | 168 tablets | £214.00 |
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 Propecia
- Propecia 1mg is a prescription-only tablet taken daily to treat male pattern hair loss in men. The active ingredient is finasteride.
- 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 Propecia 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 possible side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.
- Stop taking and seek medical advice if depression, suicidal thoughts, or sexual dysfunction occurs.
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.
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.
Propecia FAQs
How long does Propecia take to work?
My partner is pregnant / we are trying to get pregnant - can I use Propecia?
Will Propecia restore hair to an area of complete baldness?
Are there any long-term side effects of taking Propecia 1mg?
Why is Propecia expensive?
Do Propecia tablets work if they are cut in half?
Does Propecia cause prostate cancer?
Can men over 45 years old benefit from Propecia?
I have depression, can I take Propecia?
Will the effects of Propecia wear off after stopping treatment?
Can women take Propecia?
Can a transgender man take Propecia?
What is the difference between Propecia and generic finasteride?
Do Propecia tablets contain lactose?
See also hair loss FAQs page and NHS - Common questions about finasteride.

Authored 13 July 2016 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328
Reviewed by Dr Jaime Tweedie, Dr C. Pugh, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 16 April 2025
Last updated 25 April 2025
Editorial policy
References
- Organon Pharma, 2025, Propecia 1mg Tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics, accessed 16 April 2025
- DiCE, 2024, Best Practice Guidelines For Online Prescribing of 5-alpha-reductase Inhibitors for Androgenic Alopecia, accessed 16 April 2025
- NICE, 2022, Male pattern hair loss (male androgenetic alopecia), accessed 16 April 2025
- BNF/NICE, 2024, Finasteride, accessed 16 April 2025
Recent Propecia reviews
Propecia rated 4.68/5 in 41 product reviews
See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox
Simple to implement in daily routine, effective for me and zero side effects.
15 December 2024
Anonymous
Verified
No side effects, helps reduce my hair loss. Was super scared at first using it 1x a week. Now I use it every day no issues
11 October 2024
Anonymous
Verified
Great Product
10 January 2023
Anonymous
Verified
the only thing that worked for my small balding area in back of head.
27 July 2022
S. Tribbie
Verified
Very efficient in the prevention of hair loss.
26 August 2021
Anonymous
Verified
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