learn Finasteride
Popular 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that lowers DHT, taken as a pill or used topically
- Finasteride for alopecia: the definitive guide to using it correctly. Finasteride 1 mg daily blocks DHT and, in trials, slowed hair loss in most men over 6 to 12 months, though some men do not respond and the benefit lasts only while the drug is taken. It is prescription-only, carries a pregnancy contraindication, and has reported sexual, mood, breast and semen side effects, some of which men report continuing after stopping.
- Is Finasteride unbeatable or are there equally powerful alternatives? Finasteride has the longest record of trial evidence in male androgenetic alopecia; in pooled 24-week trials dutasteride increased hair counts more, and minoxidil, topical finasteride, PRP, LLLT and microneedling have supporting studies. Regulators warn that finasteride can cause sexual side effects, depression and suicidal thoughts that may persist after stopping, its label also lists breast, semen and other physical effects, and dutasteride now carries a precautionary mood warning; both are prescription-only, and dutasteride and oral minoxidil are off-label for hair loss.
- Is finasteride safe? In one-year trials most men tolerated finasteride 1 mg, but its risks are not only sexual: US, UK and EU regulators warn of sexual dysfunction, depression and suicidal thoughts, and of sexual and mood symptoms that have continued after stopping, and men also report cognitive, anxiety and physical symptoms. How often lasting problems happen, and how much of that the drug causes, is not known; finasteride is prescription-only and must not be taken, or handled as crushed or broken tablets, by women who are or may be pregnant.
- All 4 questions on Finasteride →