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Propecia is the branded version of the hair loss medication finasteride. It is a clinically proven treatment that can help delay hair loss and promote hair regrowth in men with male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia.
Propecia was the first prescription medication approved for male pattern baldness. After the patent expired, other pharmaceutical companies began releasing medicines with the same active ingredient.
Yes, Propecia is the branded version of the generic hair loss medication finasteride. Propecia and generic finasteride are medically equivalent, meaning they contain the same ingredients and produce the same mechanism of action.
They do, however, differ in price and packaging and, in some cases, the method of administration. For example, generic finasteride can be obtained as a topical treatment from some healthcare providers.
The active ingredient in Propecia, finasteride, slows down hair loss and can cause hair to regrow when used regularly. It does this by stopping your body from converting testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
DHT prevents hair follicles from absorbing the nutrients they need to grow. This process is called miniaturisation and causes hair thinning. Propecia reduces DHT levels in the body, allowing hair to grow to its full potential.
Yes, many men using finasteride for hair loss find that it causes lost hair to regrow. This is most likely to happen when it is taken at the early stages of hair loss, with late-stage hair loss being much harder to treat.
Propecia is a generally well-tolerated and effective hair loss treatment. The benefits of this medication are as follows:
Clinical trials have found finasteride to be generally well-tolerated and effective when treating male pattern baldness.
One clinical trial compared hair counts in patients treating their hair loss. Patients were split into 2 groups; with one group using Propecia and the other using a placebo.
Efficacy of Propecia in clinical trials
Percentage of patients who showed improved hair growth after 2 years
Patients taking Propecia
Patients taking a placebo
After 2 years, 66% of Propecia users showed improved hair growth compared to 7% in the placebo group.
After 5 years, 48% of Propecia users showed improved hair growth, whereas 75% of the placebo group experienced hair loss.
Finasteride works immediately to lower DHT levels in the body. Clinical studies show that DHT levels can decrease by as much as 65% within 24 hours of taking the first dose of finasteride.
While the medicine begins to work immediately, most people see visible improvement in their hair after 3-6 months of daily use. Your hair will then continue to grow back at a steady pace with effects best seen after 1-2 years.
It takes a long time to see the benefits because hair takes a long time to grow. With that being said, not everyone regrows hair in all areas of the scalp. Finasteride is especially effective on the crown, but some people find it takes longer for a receding hairline to grow back, and some find that hair doesn’t grow fully anywhere on the scalp.
Typical finasteride results may look as follows:
To obtain a prescription for Propecia or generic finasteride, patients must be:
*This medication will only be prescribed to those in the early stages of pattern baldness, as it is ineffective when hair loss is too advanced. Male pattern hair loss usually follows a specific pattern:
Your hair loss must not be too advanced (stage 1 or 2) if you are to be prescribed this treatment.
Only those who have completed an online consultation for hair loss can be prescribed Propecia (finasteride).
Propecia is not suitable for everyone. You will not be prescribed this treatment if:
Precaution
You may not be able to take Propecia if you plan to have a blood test for prostate cancer called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This is because the medication can affect the results of this test.
Inform your doctor if you are taking finasteride before taking this test. This will allow them to read the results properly.
Follow these instructions when taking your finasteride tablets:
Take your tablets exactly as your doctor instructs. The recommended daily dose is as follows:
Dosage | When? | For how long? |
---|---|---|
One 1mg tablet | At the same time daily | To be used as a long-term, ongoing treatment |
Propecia is not a one-time cure for male pattern baldness. It is meant to be used as a long-term, ongoing treatment. This means that it will only work as long as you are continuously taking it.
Once you stop taking this medication, you will begin to lose your hair as you did before you started using finasteride. Do not stop treatment without first consulting your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Propecia or generic finasteride, follow these instructions:
Your finasteride dosage will depend on your individual case, so you should always follow your doctor’s advice.
The general dosage of Propecia is as follows:
Condition | Dosage | How often? |
---|---|---|
Male pattern baldness | Finasteride 1mg | Once daily |
Enlarged prostate* | Finasteride 5mg |
*euroClinix does not prescribe Propecia or generic finasteride for an enlarged prostate. To obtain a prescription for this condition, visit a doctor in person at a GPs office or a specialist clinic.
Like all prescription medications, Propecia and generic finasteride can cause some unwanted side effects. Propecia side effects are uncommon, and any you feel should go away once your body gets used to the medication.
Finasteride side effects include:
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If you experience serious or persistent side effects, consult your doctor immediately for advice or further testing.
PFS is a rare condition that can happen in men who stop taking finasteride. This syndrome causes the sexual side effects (for example, low libido and erectile dysfunction) to persist even after treatment has been stopped.
Some men report symptoms lasting for years after discontinuing treatment, whereas others claim their symptoms last for life.
There is no known cure for PFS, but some lifestyle changes may help to ease symptoms. Try the following if you experience post-finasteride syndrome:
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to finasteride include:
If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency care immediately. Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening if not treated in time.
If you find yourself suffering from side effects, there are a few things you can do to try and manage them.
Ways to manage Propecia side effects
Adjust your dosage
Monitor hormone levels
Time your dosage well
Finasteride is generally safe to use with most other medications, but there are some interactions that you should be aware of before you start treatment.
These medications may reduce finasteride levels by increasing its breakdown in the liver.
These medications may increase finasteride levels by affecting the enzyme CYP3A4, which is involved in the metabolism of finasteride.
Category | Status | Advice |
---|---|---|
Alcohol | Generally safe | While there are no known interactions between alcohol and finasteride, drinking alcohol can increase the risk and severity of side effects. In particular, sexual problems experienced as a result of finasteride use may be compounded when drinking alcohol. | Driving | Safe | Finasteride will not affect your ability to drive, so it is considered safe. However, be wary if you experience side effects such as palpitations or anxiety, as this may make driving unsafe. |
Hydration | Important | Drink plenty of water when taking finasteride so that your kidneys can properly process your medication and excrete waste. |
Lactose intolerance | Consult your doctor | Finasteride tablets contain lactose. Consult your doctor before use if you have been told you have an intolerance to lactose or other sugars. |
Mental health | Caution | Be aware of how finasteride affects your mental health, as it has been known to cause depression or anxiety to develop in some people. Consult your doctor if you experience these side effects resulting from finasteride use. |
While this medication works well on its own, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to treat your male pattern baldness more effectively.
With stress being one of the main contributors to hair loss, you may benefit from activities that reduce stress, like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
Alcohol itself does not cause hair loss, but it can cause other issues that do, such as dehydration and stress.
Follow these instructions to store your medication properly:
When disposing of unused or expired medicine, take it to your local pharmacy. This will ensure environmentally friendly disposal.
No, Propecia and generic finasteride can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Ordering your medication with euroClinix is simple and secure. Follow these steps:
euroClinix offers ongoing support for any questions. Privacy and security are guaranteed through compliance with the relevant regulatory standards and the use of encrypted transactions.
euroClinix is a trusted online clinic that offers services in several European countries. All consultations and prescriptions are handled by our UK-registered doctors.
The process is convenient with online consultations and discreet home delivery. Our friendly customer service team is always happy to assist with any questions related to our services.
The euroClinix platform is user-friendly for managing prescriptions and reorders securely.
Choosing euroClinix ensures a trusted, professional, and supportive service to treat your hair loss. Start your journey with euroClinix today and experience our expert care.
Finasteride alternatives include the following:
Treatment name | Used to treat | Type of medicine | Key benefits | Considerations | OTC? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pharmaceutical treatments | |||||
Dutasteride | Male pattern hair loss | Oral |
|
Not licensed for hair loss | No |
Minoxidil | Alopecia areata/ pattern hair loss | Oral/ topical |
|
Less effective than finasteride at treating male pattern hair loss | Yes |
Ritlecitinib | Alopecia areata/ pattern hair loss | Oral |
|
Side effects are more common that in finasteride | No |
Natural supplements | |||||
Essential oils | General hair health | Topical |
|
Ineffective for medical hair loss conditions | Yes |
Saw Palmetto | General hair health | Oral/ topical |
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Insufficient research into its effect on hair | Yes |
If one treatment doesn’t work for you, there is still a chance that another one will. Speak with your doctor about trying alternative medication if your hair loss persists.
Yes, topical finasteride can also be obtained from some pharmacies, but it is not as commonly used as oral finasteride. If you cannot take finasteride tablets, the topical version may be a good alternative.
Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.
Type of medicine | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
Used for | Stopping hair loss and promoting hair regrowth |
Active ingredient(s) | Finasteride |
Works by | Stopping testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) |
Effective within | 3-6 months |
Suitable for | Men over 18 years old with male pattern baldness |
Available as | Tablets |
Available strength | 1mg |
Usage | 1 tablet taken daily |
Manufacturer | MSD |
Is a generic available? | Yes, finasteride tablets |
Storage | Store below 30°C in its original packaging |
Prescription required | Yes, get it FREE with our online consultation |
Finasteride side effects: what to expect
Reviewed by Dr. Caroline FontanaSelect
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