Dutasteride
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Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on June 17, 2028.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on Jun 16, 2025.

Product info

  • Dutasteride can be prescribed off-label to treat male pattern baldness.

  • It comes as a capsule that’s taken daily for long-term use.
  • It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

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0.5mg
£34.95
  • Prices include:
    Express shipping

    24 hour shipping by secure courier.

  • Consultation + Access to our clinicians

    Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.

  • Total
    £34.95
    Save £0.00 each order
Dutasteride Dutasteride

What is Dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a tablet that’s used to treat enlarged prostate, but it’s also used as an off-label treatment for male pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia. An off-label treatment means it’s not officially licensed to treat the condition you’re using it for (in this case, hair loss).

Multiple studies have shown Dutasteride’s effectiveness at treating male pattern hair loss[1], and your clinician will only prescribe it if they think it’s safe and suitable for you.

How does Dutasteride work?

Dutasteride belongs to the class of drugs called 5α-reductase inhibitors. 5α-reductase is an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles, causing the hair to thin and eventually resulting in hair loss.

Dutasteride stops the conversion of testosterone into DHT by blocking 5α-reductase. This stops your hair from thinning and allows it to regrow.[2]

What doses of Dutasteride are there?

Dutasteride comes in a capsule, in one dose of 0.5mg. You’ll usually take one dose daily until you or your clinician decides to stop treatment. If you decide to stop taking it, ask your clinician about the possible consequences.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Hee Chul Eun, et al. (2010). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily in male patients with male pattern hair loss: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study. 63(2), pp.252–258.
  2. Al-Horani RA, Patel P. Dutasteride. [Updated 2024 Mar 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on June 17, 2025. Next review due on June 17, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Dutasteride Dutasteride

How to take Dutasteride

Swallow one capsule whole with some water. Try to take it at the same time each day for best results.

How long does Dutasteride take to work?

While Dutasteride is absorbed fairly quickly, it can take several months to notice an improvement.[1] This is because hair takes a while to grow, so be patient if you aren’t seeing a difference in a few weeks.

You may notice hair loss in the first few weeks to months after starting Dutasteride. Don’t worry if this happens; it’s a normal part of the hair growth process. The hair that falls out is typically old hair that was already in the final stage of the hair cycle before starting Dutasteride.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Dutasteride?

If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed capsule and take the next one at the usual time.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. EMC (2024). Dutasteride 0.5 mg capsules, soft – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) | 8988. [online] Medicines.org.uk
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell 1218322
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on June 17, 2025. Next review due on June 17, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Dutasteride Dutasteride

Dutasteride isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

 

Dutasteride Dutasteride

FAQ: Dutasteride

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How does Dutasteride compare with Finasteride?

Answer:
Dutasteride and Finasteride belong to the same class of drugs of 5α-reductase inhibitors. This means they work similarly by blocking 5α-reductase enzymes to prevent testosterone from converting into DHT.

When the two were compared, patients using Dutasteride showed greater improvement in hair growth than those using Finasteride. Additionally, fewer side effects were reported in the group using Dutasteride.[3]

It’s up to you which treatment you choose, but based on scientific research, Dutasteride seems to be more effective.

Will I see hair growth with Dutasteride?

Answer:
You might see hair growth while using Dutasteride, but this can take several months. This was demonstrated in a study where men taking daily Dutasteride had a significant increase in hair count after 6 months.[2]

It’s important to note that in the first few weeks, you may notice that more hair falls out. This is normal and is old hair shedding; it isn’t a side effect of Dutasteride.

Do I need a prescription for Dutasteride?

Answer:
Yes, you need a prescription for Dutasteride so your clinician will check if it's safe and suitable for you.

Will I get side effects using Dutasteride?

Answer:
There’s a chance of getting side effects, but not everyone will get them. The common side effects include:

  • Impotence

  • Lower sex drive

  • Difficulty ejaculating

  • Breast tenderness


You can talk to your clinician if you're worried about any of these side effects. 

In rare cases, depression has been reported as a side effect too.[4] 

These side effects are more likely to happen while you're on treatment, but once you stop, they should go away. 

In studies, discontinuing treatment was shown to improve sperm volume and motility. But prolonged long-term use may increase the likelihood of male infertility.[1]

If you prefer a treatment with fewer potential side effects, Minoxidil may be a better option.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Kim, Y.J., Lee, S.R. and Yu, Y.D. (2025). Long-term use of dutasteride to treat androgenic alopecia in young men may lead to persistent abnormalities in semen parameters. Clinical and experimental reproductive medicine.
  2. Hee Chul Eun, et al. (2010). Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily in male patients with male pattern hair loss: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study. 63(2), pp.252–258.
  3. Choi, S., et al. (2022). Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Dutasteride versus Finasteride in Patients with Male Androgenic Alopecia in South Korea: A Multicentre Chart Review Study. Annals of Dermatology, 34(5), 349.
  4. Welk, B., et al. (2017). Association of Suicidality and Depression With 5α-Reductase Inhibitors. JAMA internal medicine, 177(5), pp.683–691.

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