Finasteride
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Reviewed on August 08, 2023. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935) Next review due on Aug 09, 2026.
Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell

Last updated on August 08, 2023.

Product info

  • Finasteride is a tablet treatment that can ease symptoms of overactive bladder.

  • It works by metabolising testosterone, which can revert the prostate to its normal size.
  • For overactive bladder, the usual dose is one 5mg tablet a day.

Finasteride Finasteride

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is the enlargement of prostate tissue and a common cause of urinary tract infections in men. [1] Not all men need treatment for BPH, but some symptoms, like nocturia (waking up in the night to go to the toilet), increased urinary frequency and urinary urgency, can make it frustrating to live with. Using medication like Finasteride helps shrink your prostate gland, which can improve these symptoms.

How does Finasteride work?

BPH is when your prostate grows too large due to changes in some of your hormone levels, including testosterone.

For most men, around 10% of their testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) each day with the help of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). But when your DHT levels get too high, it can lead to prostate growth. So by inhibiting the production of DHT, your prostate can revert to its normal size.

Finasteride is in a class of medicines called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. As the name suggests, these drugs inhibit the enzyme type 2 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT. Without this conversion, excess prostate growth becomes less likely, which improves your symptoms. [2]

What doses of Finasteride are there?

There are two doses of Finasteride available: 1mg and 5mg. But the one you use will depend on your condition. 5mg is the dose for BPH, while 1 mg is for hair loss. It’s important to take the correct dose for your condition, as the effects will be different.

Topical Finasteride is a relatively new product available in some countries. It’s not FDA-approved and not easily available in the UK. It also only treats male hair loss. At Treated, we only have oral Finasteride.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Ng M, Baradhi KM. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. [Updated 2022 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
  2. Smith, A. B., & Carson, C. C. (2009). Finasteride in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A review. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 5, 535-545.
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 August 09, 2023. Next review due on August 09, 2026.

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.

Finasteride Finasteride

How to take Finasteride

Take one Finasteride tablet a day, orally. You’ll usually take Finasteride for several months or years. You may be prescribed another medicine called doxazosin in combination with it to help control your BPH. It’s important to take it for as long as your clinician has prescribed to see the full effects.

What happens if I make a mistake when taking Finasteride?

If you forget to take a dose of Finasteride, skip the missed one and take the next dose as usual. Don’t take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you accidentally took more than the recommended dose, contact your doctor immediately.

How long does Finasteride take to work?

Finasteride can start to work almost instantly, but this doesn’t mean it will shrink your prostate within a couple of days. Treating BPH is a slow process. It can take approximately 6 months for your prostate to return to normal size on Finasteride. This is why it’s important to continue taking it for a long time (even if you think the medicine isn’t working).

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 August 09, 2023. Next review due on August 09, 2026.

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.

Finasteride Finasteride

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

Finasteride Finasteride

FAQ: Finasteride

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.

What are the side effects of Finasteride?

Answer:
There is a risk of side effects when taking finasteride. But for those who want to treat their hair loss the benefits generally outweigh the risks, so long as a discussion has been had with a clinical professional. Some of the common side effects include erectile dysfunction, a reduction in sex drive and depression whilst taking it. They usually occur when you’re taking the treatment, but once you stop they resolve. [1] It has been reported that some men feel that even after finishing a course of Finasteride they notice a worse mood or sex drive but there isn’t enough evidence to support this.

If you’re concerned about side effects, you should speak to your clinician. There are other treatment options for hair loss that might suit your needs better.

When can I stop taking Finasteride for BPH?

Answer:
You should only stop taking Finasteride when your clinician advises you to. For BPH, this could mean taking it for 6 months to even a year. You may not notice a difference in the first couple of weeks but, with time, you should see a significant improvement.

Post-finasteride syndrome is a term for patients who stop using Finasteride and still experience persistent side effects like sexual changes, anxiety and depression. It may affect around 3%-5% of those who take it. However, there are debates within the science community about whether it’s real or not. [3] If you’re worried about taking Finasteride because of this, you can talk to our clinician and discuss treatment options for BPH.

Is Finasteride similar to other treatments?

Answer:
Yes, Finasteride is the generic version of Proscar. They both contain the same active ingredient in the same concentration. The only differences are the price and the packaging. It's up to you to choose what product you prefer, but the generic one is often cheaper.

How does Finasteride compare to other treatments?

Answer:
The main mechanism of drugs treating BPH is acting on the alpha receptors. Finasteride inhibits 5-alpha reductase, preventing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Another drug, Dutasteride, is also a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It inhibits type 1 and 2 5-alpha reductase, working similarly to Finasteride.

On the other hand, Tamsulosin relaxes the smooth muscle of the prostate by blocking the alpha receptors. This improves urine flow and other symptoms related to BPH, but it doesn’t shrink the prostate.

All 3 are effective at treating BPH, but Tamsulosin is better as a short-term treatment for the symptoms of BPH, whereas Finasteride and Dutasteride are better for shrinking enlarged prostates.

Can Finasteride treat hair loss?

Answer:
Yes, Finasteride is also prescribed for male hair loss.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the active version of testosterone, induces hair loss by shrinking your hair follicles, causing your hair to thin. Finasteride, though, inhibits the conversion of testosterone into DHT, which can stop, slow or reverse this balding process. [2]

Finasteride for BPH is different for hair loss. It contains a higher concentration (5mg), compared to 1mg for hair loss. If you want Finasteride for hair loss, check the hair loss page here.

Treated trusted sources:

  1. Choi, H., Lee, Y., Shin, S., Nam, J., Park, W.-S., Park, B. and Kim, B. (2022b). Induction of hair growth in hair follicle cells and organ cultures upon treatment with 30 kHz frequency inaudible sound via cell proliferation and antiapoptotic effects. Biomedical Reports, [online] 16(3).
  2. Abdulmaged M. Traish., Post-finasteride syndrome: a surmountable challenge for clinicians. Fertility and Sterility. Volume 113, Issue 1. 2020. Pages 21-50.
  3. Patient information leaflet – Finasteride:

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Similar but different

Overactive bladder: Here are our other options.

Plain white medicine bottle with twist cap

Proscar Tablets

Finasteride

Branded treatment for an enlarged prostate. Gets to work on symptoms within a few weeks.

5mg
£49.95
£49.95
See this option
Tamsulosin Blister Pack UK

Tamsulosin

Tamsulosin

Treats BPH and an overactive bladder. Once a day capsule for greater control.

400mcg
£37.95
£37.95
See this option

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