Finasteride 1 mg

Finasteride 1 mg is the standard dose for the treatment of hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men. It is the active ingredient of the original product Propecia and is available as a generic from many manufacturers.

Unlike minoxidil, finasteride works from the inside: it inhibits the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT – the hormone that damages the hair follicles.

Finasteride inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase type 2:

• Reduction of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the blood by approx. 70%
• DHT is mainly responsible for the miniaturization of the hair follicles
• Less DHT = less hair loss + possible regrowth

• Men with early-stage to advanced hereditary hair loss
• Effective in studies for hair loss at the crown, but efficacy for receding temples has not been demonstrated
• Most effective when treatment is started early

• 1 mg daily (the only approved dose for hair loss)
• One tablet per day
• Not divisible (broken or crushed tablets should not be touched by women who are or could be pregnant)

One tablet daily, with or without meals, always at the same time.

• Women (especially pregnant women – danger to male fetuses!)
• Children and adolescents
• Impaired liver function is not a contraindication, but its effects on how the body processes finasteride have not been studied
• Known hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1-1%):

• Decreased libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Decreased semen volume

Very rare:

• Depressed mood
• Gynecomastia (breast enlargement)
• Post-finasteride syndrome (disputed)

Most side effects resolve after the medication is stopped.

• Finasteride is mainly metabolized via the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme system. Medicines that inhibit or induce this enzyme can affect finasteride levels in the blood. According to the Summary of Product Characteristics, however, such an increase is unlikely to be clinically relevant.
• Topical minoxidil: There are no data on its use together with finasteride. The combination is therefore not recommended.