Finasteride and minoxidil are the two medicines the NHS names as the main treatments for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil can also treat female pattern baldness, but women should not use finasteride. Neither works for everyone, and both only work while you keep using them. This page is general information and gives no dosing advice. Your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist can advise on what suits you.
What each medicine is
| Finasteride | Minoxidil | |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Male pattern baldness (the 1mg product) | Male and female pattern baldness |
| Women | Should not use it, per the NHS | Can be used for female pattern baldness, per the NHS |
| Key safety point | MHRA warning on mood and sexual side effects | Ask a pharmacist or doctor about suitability and side effects |
| Once stopped | Benefit usually fades | Benefit usually fades |
The 1mg finasteride product is licensed for hair loss. A 5mg product exists for prostate conditions. Do not mix them up or swap between them.
What the MHRA says about finasteride
The MHRA, the UK medicines regulator, has reviewed finasteride and dutasteride and is updating their product information. As summarised by Community Pharmacy England in May 2026, finasteride is linked to depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction, and the sexual effects may persist after treatment stops. These include reduced sex drive, erectile difficulties and ejaculation disorders.
Patient alert cards, which highlight these risks, are supplied in packs of both the 1mg and 5mg products. The earlier safety review followed patients telling the MHRA the risks were poorly known. The same review noted Yellow Card reports of persistent sexual dysfunction in almost half of the sexual dysfunction cases reported.
What to do if you take it
- Read the leaflet and keep the patient card. Tell your doctor about any history of depression or suicidal thoughts before starting.
- If you take finasteride 1mg and develop depression or suicidal thoughts, the MHRA advice is to stop it immediately and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
- If you are at risk of serious harm, call 999.
- Contact your doctor about sexual side effects, including a lower sex drive or erection problems.
- Report suspected side effects through the Yellow Card scheme.
In Ireland, the equivalent medicines regulator is the HPRA. We have not verified its current wording here, so ask your GP or pharmacist for the latest Irish product information.
The safe route to getting it
Finasteride is a prescription medicine. Start with a GP or a regulated pharmacy prescriber who asks about your health and mental health history and plans a review. Avoid sellers who supply prescription-only medicines without a consultation. Not every treatment is available on the NHS, so ask what you would pay for.
Questions to ask your GP or pharmacist
- Is this the right treatment for my type of hair loss?
- What are the risks for me, given my medical and mental health history?
- How will we review whether it is working, and when should we stop?
- What should I do if I notice side effects, and who do I contact?
- Is any of this available on the NHS, or will I be paying privately?
A good prescriber will explain the reasons and the review plan, not just supply the medicine. They should also tell you that benefits usually fade if you stop, which is worth thinking about before you start.
Using these medicines alongside a transplant
If you are considering a transplant, mention any treatments you use. Some clinics suggest continuing medical treatment to protect existing hair, but that is a decision to make with a doctor who knows your history. Do not start, stop or change a prescription-only medicine because of marketing from a clinic or a website. This page is general information from public regulator and NHS sources, and it is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
What the evidence can and cannot tell you
The NHS is plain that neither medicine works for everyone and that results stop when use stops. That is worth weighing against the cost of long-term use, which the NHS notes can be significant if the treatment is not available on the NHS. The MHRA position on finasteride is also a reminder that medicines have trade-offs, and that people can value the same risk differently. Some people are comfortable with a small chance of a serious side effect; others are not. There is no single right answer, and a doctor who knows you can help you decide.
If you notice changes in mood or sexual function after starting any medicine, tell a clinician promptly rather than waiting to see if it passes.
Getting help quickly
If you are taking finasteride and feel your mood falling, or have thoughts of harming yourself, treat it as urgent. The MHRA advice for finasteride 1mg is to stop it and contact your doctor as soon as possible. The patient alert card is meant to be shared with a family member or friend, because other people can sometimes notice mood changes before you do. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Tell any hair transplant clinic what you are taking, as it can affect planning. Related reading: non-surgical hair loss options, types of hair loss and the Norwood scale and how to check a clinic's registration.
Frequently asked questions
Can women take finasteride?
The NHS says women should not use finasteride. Minoxidil can be used for female pattern baldness, after advice from a GP or pharmacist.
What does the MHRA warn about finasteride?
That it is linked to depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction, which may persist after stopping.
What if I feel low while taking it?
The MHRA advice for finasteride 1mg is to stop it and contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you are at risk of serious harm, call 999.
How do I report a side effect?
Through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, or tell your doctor or pharmacist.