Propecia

  • Effective treatment for hair loss and male pattern baldness
  • Noticeable increase in hair growth in 3 - 6 Months
  • More than 80% of men experience renewed Hair Growth

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From As low as £48.99

Disclaimer: The prices displayed should only be used as a reference of our prices for this medicine. If you are approved for treatment, our prescribers will decide on a suitable treatment for you to jointly consider.

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About Propecia
  1. 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.

  2. Propecia 1mg Indications and Dosage

    All of our Doctors and Pharmacists follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Propecia.

    The recommended prescription dose for Propecia (finasteride) is one 1mg tablet per day, which should be taken with a drink of water.

    How to take Propecia

    Take Propecia as your doctor has instructed you. Always read the patient information leaflet for full instructions before you begin treatment.

    • The normal recommended dose is to take one tablet a day.
    • Propecia can be taken with or without food, but try to take it at the same time each day.
    • You will likely need to take Propecia for 3 to 6 months before you notice the full effect of the medicine.
    • Do not stop taking it before your doctor tells you. Ending your treatment means that any hair you regrew while taking Propecia will be lost within 9 to 12 months.
  3. Propecia Side Effects

    Common side effects of Propecia include:

    • Problems getting and maintaining an erection
    • Decreased libido
    • Problems ejaculating or decreased volume of semen

    In rare cases, men may experience the following side effects while taking this medicine:

    • Breast swelling or tenderness
    • Heart palpitations
    • Blood in your semen
    • Persistent erectile dysfunction after finishing the treatment
    • Pain in your testicles
    • Persistent decrease in your sex drive after finishing the treatment
    • Infertility or poor quality semen
    • Anxiety
    • Changes to how your liver works (this will be shown in a blood test)
    • Persistent ejaculation problems after finishing the treatment

    If you experience any of these side effects during or after using Propecia, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Try to keep a note of how long these symptoms lasted and when they started.

    This list is not exhaustive. For a full list of side effects please read the patient information leaflet.

  4. Propecia Warnings and Drug Interactions

    Propecia may interact with other medicines.

    Before taking a new medicine, you should always inform your doctor or pharmacist of any other medicines you are already using.

    You should speak to your doctor before starting a course of Propecia tablets if you are already taking any of the following:

    Propecia should only be taken by men who are over the age of 18 years old.

    Read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of warnings. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. 

  5. Propecia Ingredients

    The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Finasteride

    For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

  6. How much does it cost to buy Propecia online in the UK?

    Dosage Quantity Price
    Propecia 1mg Tablets 28 Tablets £48.99
    Propecia 1mg Tablets 56 Tablets £90.99
    Propecia 1mg Tablets 84 Tablets £119.99
    Propecia 1mg Tablets 168 Tablets £224.99
  7. Will Propecia make my hair thicker?


    Many people who take Propecia have reported that, aside from helping to regrow their hair, it has also thickened their hair.

    Can Propecia cause erectile dysfunction?


    Some men have reported that they had erectile problems while taking finasteride. If this happens, speak to your doctor.

    Can I drink alcohol with it?


    There is no known interaction between finasteride and alcohol.

    Does Propecia affect your sex life?


    Propecia can cause you to have a lower sex drive, as well as erectile and ejaculation problems. Although these side effects are uncommon (affecting around 1 in 100 users), you should talk to your doctor if they bother you.

    Is it suitable for women?


    No, women must not take Propecia. Women who are pregnant or of childbearing age must not come into contact with finasteride, as it can be harmful to unborn babies. If you have sex with a woman, you should wear a condom, as finasteride can be filtered into the semen.

    How long does it take to work?


    It may take between 3 and 6 months for you to notice a real improvement. You must make sure you keep taking Propecia for as long as your doctor tells you to.

    Will I need to take it forever?


    You will need to take Propecia every day in the long term to regrow and retain as much of your hair as possible. This may require you to take Propecia for years.

    Will Propecia wear off?


    The half-life of finasteride is quite short and the effects are normally out of the system within one week. For this reason, it is very important that you keep taking it each day for as long as your doctor says.

    Will Propecia work to regrow the hair on my hairline?


    Propecia is effective in treating hair that is thinning all over the scalp, including the temples, crown and hairline.

    Can I take Viagra with it?


    There is no known interactions between finasteride and Viagra, so it should be safe to take this medicine if you are suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Updated on: 28/09/2021

This content has been written by our Superintendent Pharmacist Hussain Abdeh and has been medically reviewed by our Pharmacist Sonia Khan

Hussain Abdeh Superintendent Pharmacist at Medicine Direct

Hussain Abdeh
MPharm: 2211840

Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

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