Finasteride 1mg Tablet for Hair Loss (Propecia)

Finasteride 1mg is a prescription medicine used to treat male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, in adult men. It works by targeting the underlying hormonal cause of hair loss rather than simply masking the symptoms. For many men, hair loss can have a real impact on confidence and self-image, and understanding your options is an important first step. This page provides factual, evidence-based information about finasteride 1mg to help you have an informed conversation with a prescriber.

Male pattern baldness affects a significant proportion of men in the UK. It typically begins with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown and can progress over time. The condition is largely driven by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. Finasteride 1mg acts on this hormonal pathway and has been shown in clinical studies to help slow the progression of hair loss and, in some men, to support visible hair regrowth.

This medicine is available on prescription only. A consultation with a qualified prescriber is required before it can be issued, and treatment will only be recommended if it is considered clinically appropriate for you as an individual.

Finasteride 1mg is a film-coated tablet taken orally once daily. It belongs to a class of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. In the UK, it holds a marketing authorisation for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) in adult men aged 18 and over.

The brand name Propecia is one of the licensed presentations of finasteride 1mg. Generic versions containing the same active ingredient and manufactured to the same pharmaceutical standards are also available on prescription.

Finasteride is not a cosmetic product. It is a licensed medicine with a defined indication, clinical evidence base, and a recognised side effect profile. It is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine by the MHRA, meaning it must be prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional following an appropriate clinical assessment.

The Role of DHT in Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness is primarily driven by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen derived from testosterone. DHT binds to receptors in genetically susceptible hair follicles and causes them to miniaturise over time. The growth phase of each hair cycle shortens, and the follicle gradually produces thinner, weaker hair until it eventually stops producing hair altogether.

How Finasteride Interrupts This Process

Finasteride 1mg works by selectively inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase type II. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT in the scalp and other tissues. By blocking this conversion, finasteride reduces DHT levels in the scalp by approximately 60%, according to clinical data referenced in its Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

This reduction in scalp DHT slows the miniaturisation of hair follicles. In clinical trials, finasteride 1mg has been shown to slow or halt the progression of male pattern hair loss and, in a proportion of men, to promote measurable hair regrowth. Results typically take several months to become apparent, and continued use is required to maintain any benefit gained.

Always follow the instructions given by your prescriber and the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine. The general guidance below reflects the licensed dosing for this medicine:

1. Take one 1mg tablet by mouth once daily.
2. It may be taken with or without food.
3. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
4. Take it at approximately the same time each day to help establish a routine.
5. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and continue as normal. Do not take a double dose.

Finasteride must be used consistently over time to remain effective. Clinical studies indicate that visible results may begin to appear after three to six months of continuous treatment. Stopping treatment will typically result in the reversal of any benefit within twelve months.

Do not adjust your dose or stop taking this medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.

Available Strength

Finasteride for male pattern hair loss is available in one strength only: 1mg. This is the licensed dose for androgenetic alopecia in adult men.

Important note on higher-strength finasteride:

Finasteride is also available in a 5mg strength, which is licensed for a different condition (benign prostatic hyperplasia). The 5mg strength is not the appropriate dose for hair loss treatment and should not be used for this purpose unless specifically directed by a prescriber.

Duration of Treatment

Finasteride 1mg is a long-term treatment. It does not cure male pattern baldness; rather, it manages the condition while you continue to take it. Your prescriber will advise you on how long to continue treatment and will carry out appropriate reviews as part of ongoing care.

Like all medicines, finasteride 1mg can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine carefully and report any concerns to your prescriber or pharmacist.

Common Side Effects

• Decreased libido (reduced sex drive)
• Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Decreased volume of ejaculation

Uncommon Side Effects

• Ejaculation disorder
• Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynaecomastia)
• Hypersensitivity reactions including rash, urticaria, or swelling of the lips and face

Post-Marketing Reports

The following have been reported during post-marketing surveillance and should be discussed with your prescriber:

• Persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping treatment (this has been reported in some men)
• Depression and, rarely, thoughts of self-harm
• Testicular pain
• Breast cancer in men (very rarely reported)
• Male infertility and poor semen quality (generally reversible on stopping treatment)

Important drug and handling instructions: Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets. The active ingredient can be absorbed through the skin and may harm a developing male foetus. Intact tablets pose a negligible risk if the coating is not damaged.

Finasteride can affect the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test used to screen for prostate cancer. Inform any healthcare professional carrying out a PSA test that you are taking this medicine.

If you experience any side effects that concern you, speak to your prescriber or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Finasteride 1mg Is Not Suitable If You

• Are female. This medicine is only licensed for use in adult men.
• Are under 18 years of age.
• Have a known hypersensitivity to finasteride or any other ingredient in the tablet.
• Are a woman of childbearing potential, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Women must not take or handle crushed tablets.

This Medicine May Be Appropriate If You

• Are an adult male aged 18 or over.
• Are experiencing androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss).
• Have had a clinical assessment confirming this medicine is appropriate for you.
• Are able to commit to long-term, consistent use of the medication.

Use With Caution If You

• Have liver disease, as finasteride is metabolised by the liver and dose adjustments may need to be considered.
• Have a history of depression or mood disorder, given reports of mood-related side effects.
• Are having or have recently had a PSA blood test for prostate cancer screening, as finasteride affects PSA levels.
• Have obstructive uropathy or other prostate conditions. Tell your prescriber about your full medical history.

This is not an exhaustive list. Your prescriber will review your full medical history, current medicines, and individual circumstances before determining whether this treatment is appropriate for you.

Finasteride 1mg is a Prescription Only Medicine. This means that before you can receive it, a consultation with a registered prescriber is required. At Pharmacy Planet, this consultation takes place via our secure online platform and is conducted by qualified healthcare professionals.

During the consultation, the prescriber will ask about your medical history, current medicines, any allergies, and your experience of hair loss to date. This process exists to ensure your safety. The consultation is the primary step; the medicine is a potential outcome, not a guaranteed one. A prescription will only be issued if the prescriber determines that finasteride 1mg is clinically appropriate for you as an individual.

There are some circumstances in which the prescriber may wish to discuss your case further, request additional information, or recommend an alternative approach. If a prescription is not considered appropriate for you at this time, the prescriber will explain why and may suggest other options.

Once a prescription has been issued, your medicine will be dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy and delivered to you in discreet packaging. Our team of pharmacists remains available throughout your treatment if you have questions about your medicine or experience any concerns.

• Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a dry place.
• Keep the tablets in their original packaging until use.
• Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return unwanted medicines to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant must not handle broken or crushed tablets.

The table below compares the two prescription hair loss treatments available through Pharmacy Planet. Both require a clinical consultation and approval from a registered prescriber before treatment can be supplied.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical or pharmaceutical advice. A prescriber or pharmacist will determine which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation or suitability assessment.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy committed to providing safe, regulated access to prescription medicines for patients across the UK. Our clinical team includes experienced pharmacists and prescribers who follow current UK clinical guidelines and regulatory standards in every consultation.

We believe that people should have access to clear, honest information about their medicines. Every product page on our site is written to inform, not to sell. Our consultation process is designed to put your safety and clinical appropriateness first.

When you complete a consultation with us, you can expect a thorough assessment by a qualified professional, clear communication about the outcome, and ongoing support from our pharmacy team throughout your treatment.

References

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). Propecia 1mg Film-coated Tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1534. Accessed May 2026.
2. British National Formulary (BNF). Finasteride. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/finasteride. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. Hair loss. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss. Accessed May 2026.
4. MHRA. Yellow Card Scheme — reporting side effects. https://www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Accessed May 2026.
5. Kaufman KD, et al. Finasteride 1mg in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1998; 39(4): 578-589.