Propecia

What is Propecia?

Propecia is the brand name for a medicine called finasteride, which is a 5α-reductase inhibitor. Finasteride 1mg is the active ingredient contained in Propecia.

Propecia is an effective and renowned treatment for male pattern baldness and hair loss. It comes in the form of a 1mg tablet, which should be taken once a day. This medicine has been found to be effective in 90% of men who take it.

To buy Propecia, you must have a prescription.

What is Propecia used to treat?

Propecia (finasteride) is a hair loss treatment for men. This prescription medicine can be taken by adult males over 18 years old to reverse the symptoms of hair loss.

Propecia can help to restore hair loss all over the scalp, from the hairline to the crown, but it is most effective in treating hair loss that occurs on the top of the scalp.

Most men will lose some of their hair as they age. It is normal for the hairline to recede a little or for the scalp to thin slightly as you get older. However, thinning on the scalp or noticing signs of baldness can be a stressful situation to deal with, particularly if you are a younger man or you seem to be losing your hair at a rapid rate. Taking Propecia can help to significantly alleviate this issue.

Why is Propecia prescribed for hair loss?

Propecia's active ingredient, finasteride, has been clinically tested and proven to be an effective treatment for promoting hair growth on the scalp and preventing further hair loss in men with male pattern baldness. 

It is also generally well-tolerated, so you are not likely to experience side effects if you use it properly. 

How does Propecia treat hair loss?

Propecia contains finasteride as its active ingredient. Finasteride belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and works by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a powerful form of testosterone.

DHT causes hair follicles to miniaturise, which contributes to hair loss in men. By slowing down the production of DHT, your hair follicles are able to return to their normal size, meaning your body can continue to grow hair as usual.

It is important to take Propecia every day. This is a long-term treatment and improvements will normally be noticeable after around three months of taking it.

Who can take Propecia?

Propecia has proven to be an effective treatment for hair loss and male pattern baldness, but it is not suitable for everyone to use.

If any of the below apply to you, you should not use this medication:

• You are a woman
• You are allergic to finasteride or any of the other ingredients contained in Propecia
• You are already taking a finasteride tablet or dutasteride to treat a prostate problem called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

As a hair loss treatment, Propecia only works for men with male pattern baldness or hair loss. If you are a woman who is experiencing hair loss, you should speak to your doctor; there may be other treatments that are suitable for you to use.

Propecia is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 years old.

Speak to your doctor before using Propecia if you are going for a blood test for prostate cancer known as PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This medication can affect the results of the test.

Men who use Propecia (finasteride) for a long time may suffer from infertility, although improvement has been reported after they stop taking the medication.

Can you buy Propecia over the counter?

No, Propecia is a prescription-only medicine (POM), it cannot be purchased over the counter.

Can you buy Propecia online in the UK?

You can buy Propecia online after completing an online health consultation with a UK prescriber or doctor. 

To order Propecia from our online pharmacy, you will first need to complete an online consultation. Just answer some questions about your condition and medical history and one of our prescribers will make sure that this medicine is safe for you to take.

Propecia Alternatives

Generic Finasteride tablets for hair loss are also available to buy from Medicine Direct. This is the same medicine as Propecia but is unbranded so it is a cheaper option and one of the most popular medicines for hair loss available in the UK.

We also stock Avodart, which contains the active ingredient dutasteride. Avodart works in the same way as Propecia, although it can take 6 months or longer for this medicine to be effective.

For more information, visit our hair loss treatments page to see which treatments you can buy online in the UK.