Propecia (Finasteride) and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)

What kind of baldness (alopecia) can Propecia (Finasteride) help?
Propecia is a licensed medicine for the treatment of men with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) to increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss. It is not licensed for use in women. For information on Pharmacy2U's private prescription services, including our online doctor consultation service, Click Here.

How many men suffer with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)?
Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common form of hair loss in men, occurring in 30% of men by the age of 30, and 50% of men by the age of 50. In the year 2000 it was estimated that 6.5 million men were losing their hair.

What are the causes of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)?
In male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia the way hair grows changes. The affected hairs become thinner and lighter in colour. Eventually some hairs become impossible to see making you look bald.

Some men are genetically at risk of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). In these men, hormones in the blood supply to the scalp causes each hair to grow for a shorter length of time, and this creates the thinning and light hair. Over a number of hair growth cycles, this results in the thin, pale hair that we see with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

If left untreated, male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) will tend to get worse with time.This will happen at different rates for different people.

Why does male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) matter?
Despite being a very common condition male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can have a serious effect on the sufferer. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can be associated with a poor body image, make people feel old and unattractive and in general have low self-esteem. This leads to a greater likelihood of depression and other psychological problems. In general first impressions are very important and having male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can strongly affect whether or not a man perceives himself as attractive to others, and studies show that this perception can be correct as male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) can affect men's perceived sexual attractiveness.

Treatment of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia)
Propecia (Finasteride) is the only prescription tablet in the UK for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

How does Propecia (Finasteride) work?
Propecia (Finasteride) belongs to a group of medicines called “5 alpha reductase inhibitors”. It is a tan octagonal tablet, which is swallowed and is available in just one strength - 1mg.

Propecia (Finasteride) works by blocking the enzyme, Type II 5 alpha-reductase, and in doing so it reduces the level of the hormone in the scalp which shortens the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert to a normal growth cycle. This can result in stopping further hair loss and increasing new hair growth in men with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
Continuous use once a day for 3–6 months is required before benefit is seen, and effects are reversed 6–12 months after treatment is discontinued so continuous use is recommended to sustain benefit.

Does Propecia (Finasteride) always work?
Clinical trials conducted on thousands of men have shown that after 2 years of use 66% (two thirds) of men showed increased hair growth. 30% of men showed a slight improvement, 31% moderate improvement and 5% great increase. 83% of men in the trial showed no further hair loss.

Propecia (Finasteride) side effects
When taken at the recommended dose, the possible side effects of Propecia (Finasteride) are usually mild and generally have not caused the men to stop taking the medicine.

Possible side effects that have been identified with Propecia (Finasteride) include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased volume of ejaculate, breast tenderness and enlargement; rashes, itching and swelling of the lips and face; and testicular pain.

Is Propecia (Finasteride) for everyone?
Propecia (Finasteride) should only be taken if your doctor has prescribed it for you.
Propecia (Finasteride) is only for men and should not be used by women due to serious risks in pregnancy and breast feeding.

Propecia (Finasteride) is not for use in children and adolescents.

'Propecia' should not be taken by men who are taking 'Proscar' (finasteride 5 mg) or any other 5α-reductase inhibitor for benign prostatic hyperplasia or any other condition.


How do I get Propecia (Finasteride)?
You need a prescription from your doctor to legally obtain Propecia (Finasteride). Companies offering Propecia without a valid prescription are breaking the law, and you may be putting your health at risk.


Highly convenient and embarrassment free and supply of Propecia (Finasteride)
For many men who are prescribed treatments for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), taking their prescription to the pharmacy represents an embarrassing hurdle which some may not overcome.

Pharmacy2U offers one option to avoid this hurdle. Pharmacy2U is an NHS contracted, fully registered pharmacy that specialises in national home delivery of medicines, including the common treatments for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). Pharmacy2U offers patients a professionally controlled and discreet service. All medicines are conveniently delivered in plain packaging to your chosen delivery address, so there is no need to go into a pharmacy.Medicines are dispatched by recorded delivery on the same day the prescription is received at Pharmacy2U.

Please click here for further details of how to use this service.


Ensure that you do not pay too much
The NHS does not pay for Propecia (Finasteride). This means your doctor will give you a private prescription that means you have to pay for the full cost of the medicine and also any dispensing fee the pharmacist chooses to charge. Big differences can exist depending on where you take your prescription to be dispensed. This means that it is important for you to find the best price available to you.

Propecia - what is it?

How should I take Propecia?
• Take Propecia exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Propecia can be taken with or without food.
• It is important to take Propecia regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may perform blood tests or other forms of monitoring during treatment with Propecia. One of the tests that may be performed is called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This test is used to help detect prostate cancer. Propecia will reduce the amount of PSA measured in the blood. Your doctor is aware of this effect and can still use PSA to help detect prostate cancer.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.


Women of childbearing potential should not use or handle crushed finasteride tablets. Finasteride can cause birth defects in male fetuses.

Finasteride (fin-AS-tur-ide) belongs to the group of medicines called enzyme inhibitors. It is used to treat urinary problems caused by enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). In men with very enlarged prostates and mild to moderate symptoms (difficulty urinating, decreased flow of urination, hesitation at the beginning of urination, getting up at night to urinate), finasteride may decrease the severity of symptoms. Finasteride may also reduce the chance that surgery on the prostate will be needed.

Finasteride blocks an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is necessary to change testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate to grow. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased. The effect of finasteride on the prostate lasts only as long as the medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again.

Finasteride also is used by some balding men to stimulate hair growth. If hair growth is going to occur with the use of finasteride, it usually occurs after the medicine has been used for about 3 months and lasts only as long as the medicine continues to be used. The new hair will be lost within 1 year after finasteride treatment is stopped.

Finasteride is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

* Oral Tablets (U.S. and Canada)


What are the possible side effects of Propecia?
• Stop taking Propecia and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
• Other, less serious side effects have been reported but usually resolve with continued treatment. Continue to take Propecia and notify your doctor if you experience
· decreased libido (sex drive);
· decreased volume of ejaculate;
· impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection); or
· breast tenderness or enlargement.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Propecia?
• There are no known interactions between Propecia and other medications. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

n deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For finasteride, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to finasteride. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Women who are or may become pregnant should not take finasteride or should not be exposed to broken or crushed finasteride tablets, because it can cause changes in the genitals (sex organs) of male fetuses.

Older adults—This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Propecia written for health professionals that you may read.