|  Hair
Loss Medication
Finasteride is a tablet for male
hair loss that is effective and simple to take.
Finasteride that is taken regularly (daily or
every other day – dependant on dosage) has been
shown to increase hair growth and prevent further
hair loss in men.
How does Finasteride work?
Finasteride gets to the ‘root’ cause of male
pattern hair loss. Scalp hairs grow in cycles
and every 2-6 years a new one is formed in the
hair follicle which pushes the old one out.
It is now known the gradual thinning of successive
hair and the eventual loss of hair on the scalp
can be caused by the action of dihydrotestosterone
(DHT) in men that are genetically sensitive
to it. DHT is formed by the action of the enzyme
5-alpha-reductase. By producing the enzyme Finasteride
reduces the amount of DHT in the scalp and this
can lead to the reversal of the balding process.
When a course of Finasteride is taken most men
can expect no further hair loss or a considerable
slow down. In recent clinical trials where hair
loss was measured by the number of scalp hairs
a man gained or lost – 83% of those taking Finasteride
showed no further loss after 2 years. A further
clinical trial showed 66% of men had an increase
in hair growth.
Side Effects
Finasteride is very well tolerated in men. In
clinical studies drug related side effects were
reported in very few men who took the drug.
1.8% experienced a decrease in sex drive. 1.3%
suffered temporary erectile dysfunction. Side
effects were often temporary and were resolved
in all men who stopped treatment. Finasteride
is not indicated for use in women or children.
Women who are pregnant or may potentially be
pregnant must NOT use it or have access to it.
Finasteride is unlikely to be the sole answer
for most men. More complete hair restoration,
and for anybody with substantive hair loss will
probably require a combination of transplant
(Micrografting or FUE) surgery and Finasteride.
Finasteride is strictly a prescription only
medicine and it is imperative that your medical
history is provided for our doctors who are
experienced hair loss and hair surgery specialists.
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