1. What Finasteride is and what it is used for

Finasteride belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It works by reducing the amount of a natural hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your body. DHT is responsible for shrinking hair follicles, which leads to hair loss.

Finasteride 1 mg tablets are used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men. Finasteride is not suitable for use by women or children.

You may need to take finasteride for three months or more before you see a benefit. Hair loss is likely to return within 12 months of stopping treatment.

2. What you need to know before taking Finasteride

Do not take Finasteride if you:

• Are allergic to finasteride or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6.
• Are a woman. Finasteride tablets must not be handled by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, as absorption through the skin could harm a male baby.
• Are under 18 years of age.

Warnings and precautions

• PSA test: Finasteride reduces PSA levels by approximately 50%. Inform any doctor ordering a PSA test that you are taking finasteride so the result can be interpreted correctly.
• Mood changes: Some men have reported depression or anxiety. Contact your doctor promptly if you notice changes in your mood or mental health.
• Sexual function: Finasteride may affect sexual function (see section 4). In some cases these effects have continued after stopping the medicine.
• Breast changes: Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any lumps, pain, or nipple discharge.
• Liver problems: Tell your doctor if you have any liver disease, as finasteride is metabolised by the liver.

Other medicines and Finasteride

There are no known significant interactions with other commonly used medicines. Always inform your prescriber of any other treatments you are taking.

Driving and using machines

Finasteride is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

3. How to take Finasteride

Always take finasteride exactly as your prescriber has told you.

The recommended dose is one tablet (1 mg) once a day. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. It can be taken with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

It may take three months or more before you notice any improvement. You must keep taking finasteride to maintain the benefit.

If you take more than you should

Contact your doctor, pharmacist, or call NHS 111. Take the pack with you so they can see what you have taken.

If you forget to take a dose

Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

If you stop taking Finasteride

Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor first. Hair loss is likely to return within 12 months of stopping treatment.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, finasteride can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Decreased sex drive (libido)
• Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
• Decrease in the amount of semen released during sex

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynaecomastia)
• Depression
• Skin rash

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the lips and face
• Testicular pain
• Male infertility and/or poor semen quality (normalises after stopping treatment)

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated)

• Persistent difficulties with sexual function after stopping treatment
• Anxiety
• Palpitations

You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Finasteride

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store below 30°C.
• Store in the original packaging to protect from moisture.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return any unused medicine to your pharmacy.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Finasteride contains

The active substance is finasteride 1 mg per tablet.

Other ingredients may include lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium stearate, and a film coating. If you have been told you have an intolerance to certain sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

What Finasteride looks like and contents of the pack

Finasteride 1 mg tablets are small, round, film-coated tablets. They are supplied in a quantity determined by your prescriber, as shown on your dispensing label.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

This leaflet was last revised: June 2025.

1. What Minoxidil is and what it is used for

Minoxidil 5% topical solution is a hair regrowth treatment applied directly to the scalp. It is thought to work by prolonging the active growth phase of the hair follicle, increasing follicle size and stimulating hair regrowth.

Minoxidil is used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men. It is applied to the scalp and is not taken by mouth.

You may need to use minoxidil for at least four months before you notice any effect. Hair regrowth may stop and hair loss may resume within three to four months of discontinuing treatment.

2. What you need to know before using Minoxidil

Do not use Minoxidil if you:

• Are allergic to minoxidil, propylene glycol, or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6.
• Have a red, inflamed, infected, irritated, or painful scalp.
• Are using other medicines applied to the scalp.
• Are under 18 years of age.

Warnings and precautions

• Heart or cardiovascular disease: Small amounts of minoxidil can be absorbed through the skin. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, low blood pressure, or any other cardiovascular condition.
• Kidney or liver problems: Inform your doctor, as these may affect how the medicine is processed.
• Scalp conditions: Do not apply to broken, sunburned, or inflamed skin, as absorption will be increased.

Keep minoxidil away from eyes, nose, and mouth. If accidental contact occurs, rinse immediately with plenty of water.

Minoxidil solution is flammable. Do not use near a naked flame or while smoking.

Other medicines and Minoxidil

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any other medicines, particularly other scalp treatments or blood pressure medicines. Using other scalp applications at the same time may increase absorption of minoxidil.

Driving and using machines

Minoxidil topical solution is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

3. How to use Minoxidil

Always use minoxidil exactly as your prescriber has told you.

The recommended dose is 1 ml applied to the scalp twice daily (morning and evening), directly onto the dry scalp in the area of thinning hair. The total daily dose should not exceed 2 ml. Part your hair in the area of hair loss and apply the solution directly to the scalp, not to the hair.

Wash your hands thoroughly after each application. Allow the solution to dry completely before going to bed. Do not use a hairdryer to dry your scalp after applying.

If you use more than you should

If you accidentally apply more than prescribed, or if minoxidil is swallowed, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or call NHS 111 immediately. Symptoms may include a fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, or dizziness.

If you forget to apply a dose

Skip the missed application and apply the next dose at the usual time. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed application.

If you stop using Minoxidil

Do not stop without talking to your doctor first. Any hair regrowth may be lost within three to four months of stopping, and hair loss is likely to resume.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, minoxidil can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Itching or skin irritation at the application site
• Scalp dryness or flaking
• Temporary increase in hair shedding in the first few weeks of treatment (this usually resolves)

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Unwanted facial or body hair growth
• Headache
• Contact dermatitis (skin reaction at the application site)

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Low blood pressure or dizziness (due to systemic absorption)
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• Fluid retention or swelling
• Allergic reactions including rash, hives, or swelling of the face

You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Minoxidil

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store below 25°C.
• Keep away from heat and direct sunlight. The solution is flammable — do not use near a naked flame or while smoking.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return any unused medicine to your pharmacy.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Minoxidil contains

The active substance is minoxidil 50 mg/ml (5% w/v) per ml of solution.

The other ingredients are propylene glycol, ethanol (96%), and purified water.

What Minoxidil looks like and contents of the pack

Minoxidil 5% is a clear, colourless to slightly yellow topical solution supplied in a bottle with a metered-dose applicator. The volume supplied is determined by your prescriber, as shown on your dispensing label.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

This leaflet was last revised: June 2025.