FINASTERIDE

As soon you start losing your hair and it has been diagnosed as male pattern baldness, you can start treatment. Studies have shown that the earlier you start, the better the results. Take one tablet every day, preferably at the same time every day. Finasteride tablets can be taken with or without food.

Finasteride is the most effective hair loss medication available.

Research shows that Finasteride halts hair loss or regrows hair in 9 out of 10 men. The research has demonstrated this in men between the ages of 18 and 41, with mild to moderate hair loss at the crown and the middle/front of the head.

The benefits will continue with consistent and regular use. If the treatment is stopped the beneficial effects start to reverse after 6 months and usually completely disappear after 9-12 months.

Most drugs have side effects, but luckily for Finasteride, it’s rare.

98.6% of men who took Finasteride in clinical trials, continued to do so as they experienced no significant adverse effects to the medication.

In those rare cases, side effects included a rash, tenderness around the nipples, decrease in libido, problems gaining an erection or ejaculating, depression/low mood and palpitations.

Stopping treatment usually resolves any side effects, only in very rare cases have side effects persisted after stopping the medication.

Animal studies did not show negative effects on fertility. There are some reports of poor seminal quality/infertility, however these patients had other risk factors that might have caused infertility. Seminal quality improved after stopping the medication. There isn’t enough data to confirm whether these findings are significant or not.

It’s really uncommon to get breast changes on this medication and the data available shows, that up to November 2009, only 3 cases of male breast cancer have been reported worldwide with 1 mg dose. If you do experience any changes in your breast tissue such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge please stop the medication and see a doctor for a review.

Before starting Finasteride, please read its accompanying information leaflet carefully for a full list of side effects and advice.

Women should not take finasteride at all even if they are experiencing hair loss.

Women who are, or potentially could be pregnant, or those who do not use regular contraception should not handle Finasteride tablets. Finasteride can harm an unborn baby.

Men who take Finasteride do have traces of the medication in their semen. Available evidence suggests this is unlikely to pose a risk to an unborn child, but we advise you should not take this medication if you are planning a pregnancy. You should use a condom when having sexual intercourse with a woman who does not take regular contraception.

Finasteride can lower a hormone called PSA measured in a blood test for prostate problems. Please tell your GP that you are taking this medication if you have this blood test so that they can interpret your test results correctly.

You should not take Finasteride if you are taking 5mg of Finasteride already or if you take any other 5ɑ reductase inhibitor medications (such as Dutasteride) .

You should not take Finasteride if you are allergic to Finasteride or any other component in the medication.

If you are or have suffered from male breast cancer or prostate cancer you should not take Finasteride.

Men who have Galactose intolerance, lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should also not take Finasteride.

Men with total baldness, as it has not been shown to be effective in men who have complete hair loss.

Topical Minoxidil (2% or 5%) is the other treatment that is UK Licenced to treat hair loss. Minoxidil is a topical lotion/foam that by opening up blood vessels to your scalp, helps with hair growth. It's not quite as effective as Finasteride, helping approximately 4 out of every 10 men.

The combination of finasteride and minoxidil should give you the best results. You can get minoxidil at a local pharmacy.

Other treatment options are available such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and low-level laser treatment (LLLT) have worked for some people but don’t have robust evidence to show their effectiveness.

Hair transplants have shown rapid improvement over the last few years, but they can be expensive and success rates vary greatly. Also usually even after your hair transplant your surgeon will recommend finasteride and minoxidil to ensure you keep the hair that is still there.

Hair pigmentation treatments and hair fibres are another possible treatments/applications to disguise your hair loss, already don’t actually prevent the hair loss itself.

There is no clinical evidence to suggest that herbal pills help with male pattern baldness.

Please read the 'Patient Information Leaflet' supplied with your medication. This provides important information.