Finasteride (1mg) | Side Effects, Dosage and More

What is male pattern baldness?

Hair loss associated with male pattern baldness is characterised by a receding hairline, hair thinning on the sides and the top of the head (the crown). There are other causes of hair loss, as well as male pattern baldness, such as stress, illness, cancer, vitamin deficiencies, and weight gain. If you think your hair loss is related to any of these, it is important to contact your GP to manage these. Usually, for these specific causes, your hair will grow back as normal once the stress or illness subsides.

What Causes Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern hair loss happens due to genetic factors and a hormone called DHT. DHT shortens the hair growth phase, leading to thinning. Finasteride reduces DHT by blocking an enzyme. It is effective for mild to moderate hair loss in men, slowing down hair loss progression.

Over five years, many men using Finasteride see improved hair growth as well.

How does Finasteride work for male pattern baldness?

The active ingredient, which is Finasteride itself, hinders an enzyme that transforms testosterone, a male hormone, into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – the hormone responsible for hair follicle shrinkage, ultimately leading to male hair loss. This process is pivotal in understanding how Finasteride operates. By diminishing the influence of DHT on scalp hair follicles, Finasteride intervenes to arrest hair loss and, in specific cases, even prompt hair re-growth.

Importantly, remember that Finasteride's effects are localised to the scalp. It solely fosters hair growth there and doesn't trigger growth in other body regions.

How to get better results from finasteride

You can use finasteride with minoxidil  (Regaine) together, boosting your hair growth and getting the best outcomes by having two mechanisms working at the same time.

Research into hair loss has indicated that Finasteride effectively halts hair loss in about 83% of men, with approximately 66% experiencing regrowth over 2 years.

Moreover, another study has revealed that consistent use of Finasteride over 5 years can assist up to 90% of men in preventing further hair loss.

These insights underscore the various outcomes that individuals might encounter while utilising Finasteride to manage hair loss.

As finasteride requires a prescription, the initial step involves consulting a healthcare provider. But don’t worry — this process isn’t complicated or expensive.

If you're detecting signs of male pattern baldness (such as a receding hairline or general thinning) and have an interest in utilising finasteride, here is the option for prescription:

Before starting Finasteride, please discuss with your doctor or a pharmacist. Keep in mind that it can cause changes in mood, including feelings of sadness, depression, and, in rarer cases, even thoughts of self-harm, have been noted in patients using Finasteride. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Finasteride and contact your doctor for further medical advice as soon as possible.

You should not use Finasteride if you have sensitivity to finasteride or if you suffer from severe liver disease.

Finasteride is excreted in semen, so if you have a female partner, the use of a condom is required if your partner is pregnant or likely to become pregnant. Similarly, women who are pregnant or likely to become pregnant should not handle finasteride tablets, especially if crushed or broken, because of the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male fetus (including abnormalities of the external genitalia).

Caution is required if a male has mild to moderate liver disease or suffers from a condition known as obstructive uropathy, which is when there is a blockage (structural or functional) of urine flow in the urinary tract. 

Sexual dysfunction is also another side effect of Finasteride. It is usually only common in the first year and reduces with the duration of treatment. It resolves if treatment is discontinued. 

The BNF states a person should report any changes in breast tissue (lumps, pain, nipple discharge) or any breast tenderness or enlargement. 

Always consult healthcare professionals for specific guidance and adhere closely to the original instructions.

Generally, finasteride stands as a safe and effective medication for most men. The majority of men dealing with hair loss and using finasteride witness reduced hair loss and enhanced hair growth, often with minimal adverse effects.

However, in a small percentage of men, finasteride might trigger side effects, including some affecting sexual desire and performance.

So, how long does finasteride take to work? Finasteride gets to work as soon as it's absorbed into your body. This means blocking testosterone-to-DHT conversion and having lower DHT levels soon after taking the first finasteride dose. There is an immediate shedding period when you start using Finasteride. 

However, an immediate reduction in hair loss or changes in hair thickness should not be expected. Hair grows through a multi-phase process called the hair growth cycle. During the growth phase (anagen), hair takes two to six years to reach full length. You should start to see changes such as decreased hair loss and regrowth in approximately three to six months. One year of consistent daily use of Finasteride will achieve full results. After this time, you can also start to see increased thickness in the hair. At the one-year mark, if results have not been seen, it is worth discussing alternative options with your healthcare professional. 

Taking more than 1 tablet a day (1mg) won't make Finasteride work faster or better. Therefore, it is better to stick to the prescribed dose.

Below is the study

Finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, curbs male pattern hair loss by impeding DHT conversion. Clinical phase III studies encompassing 1879 men unveiled that oral finasteride 1 mg/day stimulates hair growth and halts further loss significantly.

Improvement in hair count seen after a year continues throughout 2 years of treatment. In cases of vertex hair loss, 48% and 66% of finasteride users experienced heightened growth at 1 and 2 years, as opposed to 7% on placebo.

After 2 years, 83% on finasteride observed no additional hair loss versus 28% on placebo. Though generally well tolerated, 7.7% of finasteride users reported treatment-related adverse events.

Sexual function concerns were more prevalent (3.8% vs 2.1% on placebo), resolving upon discontinuation. Rare drug-related events occurred. Oral finasteride is contraindicated in pregnant women due to potential fetal risk.

You can use finasteride with minoxidil  (Regaine) together, boosting your hair growth and getting the best outcomes by having two mechanisms working at the same time.

Research into hair loss has indicated that Finasteride effectively halts hair loss in about 83% of men, with approximately 66% experiencing regrowth over 2 years.

Moreover, another study has revealed that consistent use of Finasteride over 5 years can assist up to 90% of men in preventing further hair loss.

These insights underscore the various outcomes that individuals might encounter while utilising Finasteride to manage hair loss.

Stopping Finasteride: What Happens Next

Stopping Finasteride means hair loss will return. If you decide to stop taking Finasteride, give it 3 to 6 months for the full effect to fade.

Follow your doctor's advice. If you stop taking Finasteride, you are likely to lose the hair you have gained within 9 to 12 months. If you have more questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Finasteride 1mg Dosage:

The recommended dosage for Finasteride is 1mg daily. You can take it with or without food. Remember, consistent usage is essential for the treatment's effectiveness.

Proper Storage and Disposal:

Keep this medication in its original container, tightly sealed, and out of children's reach. Store it at room temperature, away from excessive heat and moisture. Avoid storing it in the bathroom.

Child Safety:- Ensure that all medications are out of sight and reach of children. Containers like pill minders, eye drop bottles, creams, patches, and inhalers are often not child-resistant and can be easily opened by young children.

To prevent accidental ingestion, always lock safety caps and place medication in a secure location that is up, away, and out of children's reach.

Disposal:

Unused or unneeded medications should be disposed of in a way that prevents accidental consumption by pets, children, and others.

Do not flush this medication down the toilet. The recommended method for disposal is through a medicine take-back program. For details about take-back programs in your region, seek advice from your pharmacist.

If no take-back option is accessible, consult the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website for guidance. Remember to always adhere to these guidelines to guarantee the safe storage and appropriate disposal of medications.