Finasteride, also known as Propecia, is a popular hair loss drug — but it’s not suitable for everyone. There are a few rare safety concerns around Finasteride, so you can’t just swing by the pharmacy to pick it up. You need to consult a medical professional beforehand. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to get Finasteride, from getting a prescription to avoiding black market sellers.
Yes — in the UK, Finasteride is a prescription-only medication. So you’ll need to speak to a doctor to get a prescription.
If you want to use Finasteride to treat hair loss, you can’t get a prescription on the NHS. Generally, the NHS does not cover hair loss and alopecia treatment. You’ll need to consult a trichologist or doctor and get a private prescription. That means Finasteride costs a little more than the standard NHS price, unless you need it for a medical condition like benign prostate enlargement.
No. You need a prescription, so you must see a doctor in advance. Some online pharmacies will carry out an online consultation with you to assess your eligibility. But to be on the safe side, it’s best to make an appointment with a trichologist.
The Wimpole Clinic trichology team can assess your hair loss and provide free, impartial advice. We can also issue a Finasteride prescription if you’re suitable for this hair loss drug. Book a free consultation to get started.
No. You can visit your GP to get general advice on your hair loss, and they can issue a private prescription. But this isn’t essential.
Balding can be a sensitive subject, so it’s understandable if you don’t want to speak to your GP. Consulting with a trichologist is a good alternative, as hair loss specialists speak to dozens of men with hair loss every day. Our team is renowned for putting patients at ease — some of them have even had hair loss treatments and hair transplants themselves. So they’ll make you feel completely comfortable when discussing your treatment plan.
There are a few options for getting Finasteride for hair loss:
We recommend talking to a hair loss specialist at a clinic to get a proper hair and scalp assessment before using Propecia. Finasteride isn’t always the best option — it’s only suitable for people with male pattern baldness. So if you have another condition, such as alopecia areata or telogen effluvium, it probably won’t help with your hair loss.
Finasteride isn’t usually suitable for women. Men who are trying for a baby with their partner (or planning to in the near future) should also avoid using it, as it may be linked with development problems in male foetuses [1].
If you’re transgender and considering Finasteride, you should seek advice from your doctor. They’ll be able to advise if Finasteride is suitable for you.
To make sure Finasteride is suitable for you, and you’re aware of all the potential side effects, it’s important to speak to a trichologist who can properly assess your needs.
Finasteride is available on online black market sites. These sites won’t require a prescription or carry out a consultation with you.
Avoid these sites at all costs. They may sell out-of-date tablets that won’t work, or completely different drugs altogether in Propecia packaging. It’s not worth taking the risk, so make sure you get your medication from a reliable source.
It’s important to know about the effects of Propecia before you start taking it. Here are some useful resources:
We’re also happy to give you all the free, impartial guidance you need to make the right hair loss treatment decision for you.
Want to try Finasteride for your hair loss, or find an alternative treatment plan? Book your free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic to get the best advice from a Harley Street hair loss clinic.
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