Propecia

About Propecia

Effectiveness

Improved growth usually starts after about three months and is usually noticeable by 4-6 months. Maximum benefit is seen at 1-2 years. At the end of 5 years men taking Propecia/finasteride 1mg tablets have a 90% chance of having more or the same amount of hair they started with. This compares with 25% of men not taking Propecia/finasteride 1mg (see study details).

How Propecia/finasteride 1mg works

Propecia/finasteride 1mg tablets bring about hair regrowth by reducing the amount of a hormone in the scalp called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Improvement is normally seen within 3 months. Improvement usually continues for 2 years and in most cases, there is a noticeable difference in hair thickness after 5 years of Propecia/finasteride 1mg use.

Further information on how finasteride works.

Who benefits

Men at any stage of male pattern hair loss are likely to benefit.

Propecia/finasteride 1mg is most effective for hair loss over the top of the scalp (vertex).

Propecia/finasteride 1mg has NOT been proven to:

• Reverse receding frontal hairline.
• Reverse hair loss which is ONLY in the temple regions (the area at the sides of the forehead).
• Restore hair to entirely bald areas.

Clinical studies were conducted on men aged 18-41 years with mild to moderate hair loss, but not complete hair loss.

The best results of Propecia/finasteride 1mg treatment are seen after two years, at which time hair growth is likely to be at its thickest.

Cautions

• If hair loss has been rapid and recent (less than a year), or where there are symptoms of serious illness – such as unexplained weight loss, fevers, persistent diarrhea, or excessive fatigue – a doctor should be consulted.
• Where hair loss is patchy or irregular, hair comes out in clumps, or there is scalp inflammation, the scalp should be examined by a GP or dermatologist.
• Blood tests carried out to detect prostate cancer (PSA) can give misleading results when Propecia/finasteride 1mg is being taken. Tell your doctor that you are taking Propecia/finasteride if you are having a PSA test.
• If treatment is stopped, the beneficial effects begin to reverse by 6 months and return to baseline by 9-12 months.
• Pregnant women should not come into contact with Propecia/finasteride 1mg tablets. It may affect the baby’s sex organ development. For this reason, tablets are film-coated and women should not handle crushed or broken tablets.

Side effects

Reduced libido and erectile dysfunction are possible, but not often severe enough to stop use. Some men have reported episodes of depressive illness and suicidal thoughts. There are some case reports of diminished libido or erectile dysfunction persisting after stopping Propecia/finasteride.

In 2017 the NHS reviewed new research and concluded that If sexual problems do occur, the drug can be stopped and the problem will be resolved in nearly all cases. An editorial in the British Medical Journal in 2019 supported this position but suggested a need for further research.

Other side effects can include breast tenderness, gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men), and anxiety or depression.

Important: if you develop any lumps or experience pain in your breast area, or discharge from your nipples, please consult your GP. There have been rare reports of breast cancer in men who have taken finasteride.

Some men have reported episodes of depressive illness in association with the use of Propecia/finasteride 1mg for male pattern hair loss. There are also some reports of men developing suicidal thoughts. If low mood or depression develops, stop treatment and consult your GP straight away.

See the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects.

Alternative treatment

Regaine topical is the only other proven effective hair loss treatment. Regaine is applied to the scalp twice daily. Men can use Regaine and Propecia tablets/finasteride 1mg at the same time.