Propecia

You should take one tablet every day at the same time unless your doctor recommended otherwise. Do not take more than one pill in a 24h period, unless implicitly instructed by your doctor.

The treatment typically comes in two common dosages, 5 mg and 1 mg. Different doses are prescribed for different purposes. Males with pattern hair loss are generally recommended to take the 1mg dose. The 5 mg dose, however, is not used for hair loss treatment. Instead, it is prescribed to treat such conditions affecting the prostate as BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Certain patients may experience side effects from using Propecia, as the drug affects everyone differently. Not everyone will experience them. Some of the most common Propecia side effects include:

•         Erectile dysfunction
•         Reduced libido (sexual interest)
•         Lower semen count

Most people never experience any of these side effects. However, there are certain rare side effects. Contact your doctor if you experience the following symptoms after using the medicine:

•         Pain in your testicles
•         Breast enlargement or tenderness
•         Nipple discharge

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction after using the medicine, discontinue using it immediately and contact your doctor. The most common allergic reaction symptoms are:

•         Skin rash
•         Hives
•         Lip swelling
•         Tongue, throat or face swelling
•         Itchiness

In 2017, new research was reviewed by the NHS and the conclusion was reached that people taking the drug who are experiencing sexual problems can stop taking it. This typically resolves the issue. In 2019, this was further supported by an editorial published in the British Medical Journal, however, it did highlight the need for more research.

Important: If you start to experience pain or you notice the presence of a lump or lumps in your breasts or you notice discharges coming from your nipples it is crucial to get in touch with your GP. There have been rare cases of breast cancer among men who are using Propecia as hair loss treatment.

There are also men who reported experiencing a depressive illness due to using 1mg Propecia/finasteride to address their pattern hair loss. Some have reported harbouring suicidal thoughts as a result. If you happen to develop depression or low mood, make sure to stop the treatment and talk to our doctor without delay.

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of the drug you should not take it. Notify your doctor of any allergies before they prescribe Propecia. The drug should not be used by women or children either.

If you are experiencing rapid hair loss and it is recent or less than a year or have been experiencing symptoms that may point to potentially serious illness including fevers, unexplained and sudden weight loss, excessive fatigue or persistent diarrhoea, it is important to seek a medical consultation first.

Where there is irregular or patchy hair loss or there is an inflammation of the scalp or there seem to be clumps of hair coming out, it is recommended for the scalp to get checked by a dermatologist or a GP.

Male breast cancer has been associated with Propecia use in a small number of cases. There is no evidence indicating a direct correlation, however, the possibility has to be considered. If you notice any signs of breast enlargement or nipple discharge, contact your doctor immediately.

Men suffering from prostate cancer may develop higher-grade prostate cancer after using the drug, although the risk is small. Propecia is not used to treat prostate cancer.

People with known liver problems should be cautious about using Propecia. Consult your doctor if you have any liver problems.

Pregnant women should be extra cautious, as the foetus can absorb the medicine leading to genital deformities in male babies. Therefore, pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets as the drug may get absorbed through the skin. Breastfeeding mothers should also be careful around the drug, as it can get absorbed in the breast milk as well.

Propecia should not be used by children. If your child is suffering from hair loss, consult your doctor as this may be a symptom of a much more serious issue.

Before taking Propecia, make sure you let your doctor know which drugs you are currently using or have recently taken. Let your doctor know how frequently you use caffeine, nicotine or alcohol, as they can affect the way drug reacts.

Your doctor should let you know if any of the drugs you are taking may interact with Propecia.

Propecia and Finasteride both contain the same active ingredients and are essentially the same treatment. However, Propecia is the branded version of Finasteride. Finasteride is also the name of the active ingredient in both drugs.

Finasteride is just as effective as Propecia, but it is much more affordable. However, Propecia is a more distinguishable brand. Propecia does contain several different non-active ingredients to which some patients may react differently.

Propecia is an approved hair loss treatment aimed at people suffering from male pattern baldness. It has been proven effective in over 80% of users. Most users reported seeing results 6 months after starting therapy.

Both Propecia and Finasteride are equally strong and both require a prescription. They have been proven most effective in men up to 41 years of age. The earlier you start using Propecia when you notice the first signs of male pattern baldness, the more effective the therapy will be. If you start using Propecia early, the chances of the treatment preventing further hair loss and stimulating new hair growth are better.

The topical treatment Regaine is the only alternative which efficacy has been proven to treat hair loss. The product is applied onto the scalp two times a day. It is alright to use both 1mg Propecia/finasteride and Regaine together.

Regaine is used by applying it directly onto the scalp. About 60% of men who used the product have achieved positive results. On the other hand, Propecia has been established to have improved or stopped any further loss of hair in 90% of the men who use it. In addition, more men who use Propecia experienced not only an improvement in the coverage of their scalp hair and have experienced regrowth as well, compared to just maintaining their coverage at present. In contrast, 75% of men who did not go for any treatment and are experiencing pattern baldness ended up experiencing more hair loss within the same length of time.

These hair loss treatments may be combined together, and a lot of men tend to incorporate both treatments not only in treating their hair loss but also in maximising the regrowth of hair follicles.

Propecia tablets are intended to be swallowed whole. Every tablet contains the active ingredient finasteride in 1mg dosage. This is the daily required dose of the drug for treating hair loss.

You can expect to see improvements within three months of taking the tablets. However, the most optimal results tend to be most noticeable 2 years into the treatment.

Propecia’s medicine licence relies on a study that involved men who are aged 18-41 years old. That being said, there may be some benefits in taking the drug for those who are older than 45 years old.

Yes. All the gains that people have made from taking the drug will likely be lost within a period of 9 to 12 months of discontinuing the treatment.

Propecia needs to be taken daily and for the long term. One can start seeing the benefits within 2 months of taking the tablet. This goes on up to 5 years and even possibly beyond. All the gains made for taking the project, however, will be lost after 9-12 months of stopping the treatment.

Propecia is not designed to address hair thinning issues in women. In fact, the drug may cause some very serious side effects for women in their childbearing age. This is why it is not recommended for women to handle the tablets. This is also the reason that the tablets come coated with a film to reduce the risk of women coming into contact with its active ingredient.

No. Propecia is a prescription medicine and hence, cannot be purchased over the counter. You will need a doctor’s prescription if you are to buy the product from a pharmacist.

Is Propecia available on the NHS?

No. Propecia is not available on the NHS.

You can purchase Propecia safely and discretely at True Medical. After you’ve filled out your prescription online, we will dispatch and deliver your order in an unbranded, discreet package with no branding or indications of the content within to your UK shipping address.

This information leaflet is intended for patients and carers, to help you understand how to take your medicine. It may be used by pharmacists when they give you information about this medicine. You should read all of this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine, because it contains important information for you. Propecia 1 mg Film-Coated Tablets – Patient Information Leaflet