In this article, we’ll talk about the science that causes you to get hair loss and what’s different about taking finasteride.
We’ll talk about the scientific studies that have been conducted to help us learn more about finasteride.
Finasteride is a medication that is primarily used to treat hair loss. It’s the same active ingredient that is found in Propecia and Proscar.
The primary function of finasteride is to stop hair loss by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to hair loss.
When DHT reaches the hair follicles in the scalp, it can cause them to shrink over time, leading to hair loss and eventual hair loss. Finasteride works by blocking the effects of DHT on the scalp and other parts of the body.
It may take some time for finasteride to become effective in stopping hair loss, but it typically takes about three months after you start taking it to see whether it can regrow the hair. Once you’ve stopped taking finasteride, your doctor will recommend a treatment plan that will work best for you.
Finasteride works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. DHT is known to cause male pattern baldness, and when it comes to treating hair loss, finasteride may help with this. However, you may be wondering whether it can also treat your other problems, such as an enlarged prostate.
Finasteride can cause some side effects, but they are generally mild and short-lived. These may include:
While rare, the following may be caused by finasteride:
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking finasteride and talk to your doctor.
Finasteride is not recommended for use in women, but it’s possible to use it with other medications or take it with other drugs to treat other conditions.
Finasteride is not approved for use in women, but it’s possible to use it with other medications, including:
Some men may have an increased risk of certain side effects while taking finasteride. These may include a decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction, or changes in the way your body thinks or responds to finasteride.
Most of the time, you’ll be able to take finasteride as part of a treatment plan that includes:
You’ll also be able to take finasteride with other medications to treat your hair loss. Talk to your doctor about any other medications you’re taking before taking finasteride, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.
Finasteride is not approved for use in pregnant women. However, it’s possible to use it to treat your male pattern baldness.
Pregnant women should consult with a doctor before taking finasteride to ensure it’s safe for them. They may recommend finasteride for other conditions like enlarged prostate or male breast cancer.
Last updated 18 January 2022
The UK patent forPropecia, a hair loss treatment for men, expired on the 11th Oct 2014. A few days later ‘generic Propecia’ or more accurately ‘generic finasteride’ became available from UK pharmacies. 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 isfinasteride 1mg. Propecia tablets and finasteride 1mg tablets are medically the same.
Dr Fox supplies both from the drug companyMerck(MSD), which held the original patent, and lower cost, which other drug companies have made available since Merck’s UK patent expired.
When a medicine comes off patent price can fall dramatically. Men, who previously paid very high prices for Propecia, may be able to buy medically identical finasteride 1mg at lower prices.
When a medicine is under patent it can only be sold legally by the patent holder. This means the patent holder, which is normally the drug company which paid to develop the medicine in the first place, is free to market the medicine without competition from other pharmaceutical companies. The result is usually very high prices. When a patent expires other drug companies usually start to produce the same medicine, known as a generic copy, and start to compete on price. As a result the cost to patients tends to fall.
The cost to patients of a medicine depends on various factors; how much it costs to produce, how much demand there is, how many drug companies supply the same medicine, and how flexible the market is. Even when the wholesale supply price of a medicine falls, the price patients pay does not always fall by the same amount. Retail pharmacies may try not to pass on reduced supply costs to patients, and instead use falling wholesale prices to boost profits. If there is price competition between retailers, as there tends to be between online pharmacies and online clinics, price to patients usually fall in line with falls in wholesale supply costs, but not always.
Dr Fox is one of the lowest cost suppliers of most medicines for both branded and generic medicines.
At the moment (10 Dec 2014) only three pharmaceutical companies, apart from Merck, are supplying finasteride 1mg tablets. These companies areTrent,Actavis, andMylanAt the time of writing, all are offering their generic equivalent of Propecia at the same price; about 10% less than branded Propecia. Prices will hopefully tumble further in the days and weeks to come (as happened when last year).UPDATE JANUARY 2022Generic finasteride is now less than 30% of the price of Propecia from Dr Fox.
The original patent holder, Merck (MSD) may reduce the price of Propecia, or start to market its own generic finasteride 1mg alongside branded Propecia.
Not all men who previously took Propecia will switch to generic finasteride 1mg, even if the price of Propecia remains high and generic finasteride is a lot cheaper. If a patient is happy with a particular brand of tablet, they often will not switch to a lower cost equivalent, even if they are reliably advised that one tablet is medically the same as the other. Whether or not they switch depends on how much they wish to economise, and all the other factors which keep people buying certain products at high prices when they do not have to.
Finasteride 1mg tablets are taken daily to reduce hair loss in men, and can promote hair regrowth. See Dr Fox for details.
Cheap Propecia may be on its way which would be welcome news to the many men suffering distress as a result of male pattern hair loss.
A member of the public for his hair loss Propecia UK birth father and finasteride 1mg online orders UK pharmacy based men’s health treatment for hair loss.Dr Fox supplies branded and generic Propecia from Tysca UK.Propecia side effects can include the following:
Propecia side effects can occur at any time, but some men may experience:
Propecia is a type of drug called a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It reduces the amount of a male hormone, testosterone, that’s produced by the prostate gland.
This allows more testosterone to enter the body and is used in treating male pattern baldness.
Men taking Propecia may experience the following side effects:
Propecia should be used only by men with a positive or at-risk sperm count.
Men with a positive sperm count should not use Propecia.
If you have questions about using Propecia or whether it is safe for you to take it, please talk to your doctor.
Remember, Propecia is only effective if you are prescribed it. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.
Propecia is usually taken 1 time every day, regardless of how you swallow it. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
You should not take more than one tablet in 24 hours.
Propecia should be taken with a full glass of water. Follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to take.
Propecia can cause side effects in some men. If you have side effects from taking Propecia, talk to your doctor.
The most common side effects of taking Propecia include:
If you experience any of these side effects, stop taking Propecia and talk to your doctor immediately.
If you have more questions about Propecia or how it may affect your health, you may want to talk to your doctor.
You should not take Propecia if you are allergic to it or have had any of the following side effects:
Keep Propecia out of reach of children and pets. Store the medication at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
If you are taking Propecia for hair loss, ask your doctor if it is safe to continue use.
The expiry stated on the product description page is not exceeded. If you find the product description page PRODUCT DETAILS, then please consult your local pharmacist. Contact us for more information.
Finasteride tablets are taken orally and are safe for use in treating hair loss and balding. It is important to avoid getting a broken, crushed or otherwise handled tablet, as it could be broken, crushed, or handled by someone else. It is also unsafe to drink alcohol while taking this medication and should only be taken under medical supervision. Additionally, Finasteride is a prescription drug, so it is advisable to consult a doctor for a proper prescription before taking it. While using this medication, it is advisable to avoid getting a broken, crushed or handled tablet, as it could be broken, crushed or handled by someone else. If you decide to continue to take this medication and you will need a prescription from a doctor, then you can opt for Finasteride Tablets.
Warning: Finasteride tablets are only for men. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it may cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Always consult your doctor before using Finasteride tablets to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition.
Safety Information for Finasteride tablets
Dosage and Administration of Finasteride Tablets
Storage and Disposal