Propecia (finasteride)

What is Propecia (finasteride)?

Propecia is the only prescription medication approved to treat male pattern baldness. The name of the active ingredient in Propecia is Finasteride. The medication works by stopping the production of the hormone dihydratestosterone which causes baldness in men. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Propecia had a beneficial impact on 90% of men who suffer from male pattern baldness in terms of preventing further hairloss or hair regrowth.

How to Buy Propecia

Propecia is a prescription medication so you must complete a consultation form before you can buy Propecia online. Consultations are entirely free and you are under no obligation to make a purchase.

Why Use The Online Clinic for Propecia?

As Propecia is a “vanity” medication it is not available on the NHS. Doctors are usually prepared to prescribe Propecia on private prescription but most men do not have the time to go to see their GP every three months for this medication so find services like those offered by The Online Clinic much more convenient. Propecia is not suitable for everyone but it is generally a well tolerated medication.

Propecia Effectiveness

A five year clinical study has demonstrated the following facts about Propecia:

• 9 out of 10 men on Propecia had visible results (either hair re-growth or no further hair loss) according to an independent panel of dermatologists;
• 2 out of 3 men re-grew hair as measured by hair count; and
• A majority of men were rated as improved by doctors - 77% against 15% on a placebo.

How Propecia Works

Propecia (finasteride) is a type of medication called a Type II 5 alpha reductase inhibitor and it works by halting the production of dihydratestosterone, which attacks hair follicles on the scalp, causing baldness in men. Interestingly, this hormone appears to promote the growth of hair on other parts of the male body such as in the nostrils, on the chest and on the back. This is the reason why a lot of men grow body hair when they start going bald. Propecia takes around three to six months to have any visible signs of success because of the hair growth cycle.

Propecia Side Effects

As with all medications, Propecia (finasteride) can have side effects in some men but very few men actually get any side effects and a large proportion of those who do, find that the side effects abate with continued use. The most common side effect is a loss of libido and this affects around 2% of Propecia patients. Erectile dysfunction was noted in around 1% of men during the clinical trials but this was reversed after cessation of treatment in all cases and in some when the patient continued use of the medication. Most men who are going bald are prepared to take the 1-2% risk of these side effects when weighed against the 90% chance of saving his hair!

Finasteride use has been associated with depressed mood for some time but a review of evidence in 2017 has suggested that more significant depression can occur, including suicidal thoughts in rare cases.

If you are prescribed Finasteride and you develop depression then you must stop taking the medication and report this to us or another healthcare professional straight away.

Reviewed by: Dr Loraine Haslam MBBS, DRCOG, DFSRH, LoC SDI, LoC IUT, MRCGP
GMC registration number: 4524038
Date: 9 June 2024
Next review: 8 June 2026
All UK registered doctors can have their registration checked on
The Medical Register at the GMC website.

Information Leaflet

Source and further information

Download Propecia Patient Information Leaflet