Finasteride 1mg Hair Loss Oral Treatment
Finasteride 1mg is a prescription treatment for male pattern hair loss that works by reducing DHT. Take one tablet daily. Results in 4–6 months. Prescription included.
Finasteride
Supply Duration
£15.00
✓ Free Prescription Included
Description
Finasteride 1mg Tablets (28-Tablet Starter Pack, 1-Month Supply)
Prescription finasteride 1mg in a 1-month starter pack. Ideal for men trying finasteride for the first time who want to confirm they tolerate it well before committing to a longer supply. Standard generic finasteride 1mg, dispensed by a GPhC registered UK partner pharmacy.
Why start with a 1-month pack
Finasteride is a well-tolerated long-term treatment for most men, but a small percentage experience side effects (typically at around 3 to 4% incidence in the original trials, close to placebo). A 1-month pack lets you:
Confirm you tolerate the treatment without issue before buying a 3, 6 or 12-month supply
Test the daily routine before committing
Discuss any concerns with your prescriber before the next repeat
Once you have completed the first month with no issues, our 3-month 84-tablet pack offers significantly better per-tablet value.
Choose your pack size
Every pack contains 28 day boxes of finasteride 1mg tablets. Longer commitments unlock a lower per tablet price, but there is no penalty for starting monthly and stepping up later.
- 28 tablets (1 month), £15: 54p per tablet. Best for a first month while you and your prescriber confirm tolerance.
- 84 tablets (3 months), £38: 45p per tablet. Popular after the first month, before you know whether to lock in six or twelve.
- 168 tablets (6 months), £65: 39p per tablet. Aligned to the 6 month treatment window when the first visible regrowth is usually judged.
- 336 tablets (12 months), £120: 36p per tablet, the lowest price we run. Best for men who have already had a positive response at 6 months and want to lock in the price for a year.
Reorders go back through prescriber review at no additional cost. If you plateau at 6 months and want to step up to dutasteride, you can switch without leaving the platform.
How finasteride works
Finasteride is a Type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for miniaturising hair follicles in men with male pattern hair loss. A 1mg daily dose reduces serum DHT by around 70%.
Finasteride does not regrow hair fully lost for years. It protects the hair you still have, thickens miniaturising follicles, and often produces modest regrowth on the crown and mid-scalp.
What to expect from your first month
The first month usually does not show visible hair changes yet. What you are checking for is tolerance:
Any change in libido
Any change in ejaculation or erectile function
Any change in mood
Most men notice nothing at all. If you notice any of the above, contact your prescriber before continuing. Visible hair results take 4 to 6 months to judge properly.
Dosing
One 1mg tablet daily, at any time of day, with or without food. Consistency matters more than timing. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day; do not double up the next day.
Side effects
Most men take finasteride 1mg without issue. Original phase III trials reported sexual side effects in around 3 to 4% of men at 1mg daily, with a similar rate in the placebo arm, so the true drug-attributable rate is small.
Uncommon (roughly 1 in 100)
Reduced libido, usually mild
Erectile dysfunction
Changes to ejaculation volume
Rare (less than 1 in 1,000)
Breast tenderness or enlargement
Mood changes (incidence unclear, still reported)
Persistent sexual effects after stopping treatment
When to seek urgent medical advice
Signs of allergic reaction: facial or lip swelling, difficulty breathing, rash
Unusual breast lumps or nipple discharge
Significant mood change or thoughts of self-harm
Who should not take finasteride
Women, in any circumstance
Anyone under 18
Anyone with a known allergy to finasteride
Anyone with severe liver disease should be reviewed carefully
Pregnancy and fertility
Finasteride can affect a male foetus. The tablets are film-coated, so simply taking finasteride does not expose a pregnant partner. The risk arises only if a pregnant woman handles a broken or crushed tablet. Store the pack securely and do not split tablets.
If you and your partner are actively trying to conceive, discuss with your prescriber before starting.
Supply note
We supply generic finasteride 1mg from a range of MHRA-approved UK or EU manufacturers (Accord, Teva, Dr Reddy's and others). The active ingredient and strength are identical across manufacturers. If you specifically want Accord brand, order the Accord 1mg pack instead.
Prescription included
Complete the short online health questionnaire at checkout. A UK prescriber reviews your answers; most approvals are the same day. Your tablets are dispensed by a GPhC registered UK partner pharmacy and delivered free.
Combining oral finasteride with topical treatments
Finasteride 1mg oral blocks DHT at source, addressing the hormonal driver of male pattern hair loss. Many men add a topical treatment on top so they also hit the growth stimulator side.
The most common combinations for men in the UK:
- Oral finasteride plus topical minoxidil is the classic evidence backed regimen. Finasteride blocks DHT systemically, minoxidil stimulates growth locally. See our Topical Minoxidil in TrichoSol® base for a low irritation option, or the oral minoxidil 5mg for an oral only routine.
- Oral finasteride plus a custom topical compound. If you want minoxidil, tretinoin and other actives compounded into a single 100ml bottle, our Custom Topical Solution lets your prescriber build the exact formula. Since you already take oral finasteride, keep the topical DHT free and use it for minoxidil, tretinoin, melatonin, spironolactone or other supporting actives. Never add topical finasteride or topical dutasteride to a formula while taking an oral DHT blocker.
- Prefer a topical only approach? Our FINASOL topical finasteride delivers the same finasteride active to the scalp rather than swallowed, in a 100ml TrichoSol® bottle at 3 months of daily use. This gives lower systemic DHT reduction than oral, which can suit men who had side effects on tablets.
Plateaued on finasteride? Dutasteride 0.5mg is the natural escalation. Dutasteride blocks both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase (roughly 90 to 98% DHT reduction versus 70% for finasteride). Switch to dutasteride, not alongside: our clinical rule is one DHT blocker at a time.
References
- NHS: Finasteride. Patient information leaflet with dosing, side effects and pregnancy warnings.
- NICE CKS: Hair loss (androgenetic, male and female pattern). UK clinical summary for male and female pattern hair loss management.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium: Finasteride 1mg. The licensed product SmPC.
Frequently asked questions
How does finasteride 1mg treat hair loss?+
Finasteride 1mg works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, reducing DHT levels by around 70%. DHT is the main hormone that causes male pattern baldness by shrinking hair follicles. Lower DHT allows follicles to recover and produce thicker hair.
Is a prescription needed for finasteride?+
Yes, finasteride is prescription-only in the UK. We offer a free online medical questionnaire, reviewed by our GPhC-registered pharmacists who can prescribe it if suitable for you.
When will I see results from finasteride?+
You may notice less hair shedding within 3 months. Noticeable hair regrowth usually takes 6-12 months of daily use. Clinical studies show the best results after 2 years of continuous treatment.
Is finasteride safe for use over multiple years?+
Yes, finasteride has been used for over 25 years for hair loss treatment with a well-established safety profile. Long-term studies of up to 10 years show continued efficacy and safety in most men.
What happens if I stop taking finasteride?+
If you stop taking finasteride, DHT levels return to normal within about 2 weeks, and any hair regained or maintained is gradually lost over 6-12 months. Continuous use is needed to maintain results.
Can I return this item?+
Prescription and custom-compounded medicines cannot be returned once dispensed under UK pharmacy regulations. Non-prescription items may be returned within 14 days if unused and in their original packaging. See our returns policy at hairrepairclinic.co.uk/returns-policy for full details.
Why start with a 1-month pack instead of committing to 3 or 12 months?+
Finasteride is well-tolerated by most men (side effects in around 3-4% at 1mg), but you cannot know how you will respond until you start. A 1-month starter lets you confirm tolerance before committing to a longer supply. After the first month with no issues, the 3-month or 12-month packs offer much better per-tablet value.
When should I reorder?+
Reorder before you run out to avoid gaps in treatment. A gap of a few days is not clinically significant, but consistent daily dosing over months is what produces results.
How does the pricing work per tablet?+
The per tablet price drops as the pack size increases. Monthly (28 tablets) is 54p per tablet at £15. Three month (84 tablets) is 45p at £38. Six month (168 tablets) is 39p at £65. Twelve month (336 tablets) is 36p at £120. Every pack includes the free UK prescriber review and free UK delivery, and every reorder goes back through prescriber review at no additional cost.
Should I switch to dutasteride if finasteride is not working?+
Not immediately. Finasteride 1mg is judged at 6 to 12 months of consistent daily use, not sooner. If you are still shedding heavily after 6 months, or your response has plateaued after 12 months at the crown or the hairline, your prescriber may recommend dutasteride 0.5mg as an escalation. Dutasteride reduces DHT by roughly 90 to 98% versus 70% for finasteride, because it blocks both Type I and Type II 5-alpha reductase. Never take both together: our clinical rule is one DHT blocker at a time.
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