Finasteride UK — Evidence-Based Information

All content aligned with NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries and MHRA licensing. Reviewed by our independent medical review board. For general information only — always consult your GP or specialist.

Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor licensed in the UK for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) at 1 mg/day and for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at 5 mg/day. This guide covers prescribing, evidence, and practical information for UK patients.

UK licensing & NICE guidance

Indication	Brand	Dose	MHRA licensed?	NHS prescribable?
Male pattern baldness (AGA)	Propecia (generic available)	1 mg/day	Yes	No — not on NHS formulary for cosmetic indication
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)	Proscar (generic available)	5 mg/day	Yes	Yes — NHS prescribable

Source: MHRA licensed medicines database; NICE CKS (Alopecia, BPH). Correct as of 2025.

Propecia for hair loss is not available on the NHS for cosmetic indications. It can be prescribed privately by a GP or dermatologist. Generic finasteride 1 mg is widely available through UK online prescribing platforms at significantly lower cost than branded Propecia.

Getting a finasteride prescription in the UK

UK patients can access finasteride for hair loss through three routes:

Private GP consultation — Your GP can prescribe finasteride privately. A private prescription can then be dispensed at any UK pharmacy.
NHS dermatologist referral — If a GP refers you to an NHS dermatologist for hair loss, the specialist may prescribe finasteride. The prescription itself may still be private for cosmetic AGA.
Regulated online pharmacies — Several CQC-registered online platforms offer finasteride prescriptions following an online consultation. Look for the NHS-approved pharmacy logo (green cross with the NHS logo verifying the online pharmacy register).

Cost in the UK

Option	Approx. monthly cost	Notes
Generic finasteride 1 mg (pharmacy)	£10–£20/month	Requires private prescription (~£25–£50 one-off)
Propecia branded 1 mg	£40–£70/month	Same active ingredient; premium price for brand
Online platform (incl. consultation)	£15–£30/month	Regulated platforms include consultation fee in subscription
Finasteride 5 mg (BPH) — NHS	£9.90/prescription (2025 charge)	Prescription charge applies unless exempt

Prices indicative only and vary by pharmacy and platform. See full cost guide.

UK clinical evidence summary

Finasteride’s efficacy for AGA is supported by two pivotal trials included in the NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary on alopecia:

Kaufman 1998 (JAAD): 1,553 men over 2 years — 83% maintained or increased hair count vs 28% on placebo; 66% rated global improvement as improved.
Whiting 1999: Histological confirmation of follicle miniaturisation reversal with 1 mg finasteride.
Van Neste 2000 (Br J Dermatol): Scalp DHT reduced 64% at 1 mg/day; anagen/telogen ratio improved after 6 months.

For BPH, NICE NG145 (Lower urinary tract symptoms in men) recommends 5-alpha reductase inhibitors — including finasteride — for men with an enlarged prostate (estimated volume ≥30 mL or PSA ≥1.4 ng/mL).

Side effects — UK prescribing information

The MHRA-approved Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for Propecia lists the following frequencies for 1 mg:

Side effect	Frequency (SmPC)
Decreased libido	Common (≥1/100, <1/10) — resolves in most on stopping
Erectile dysfunction	Common (≥1/100, <1/10)
Ejaculation disorders	Common (≥1/100, <1/10)
Depression / mood changes	Uncommon (≥1/1000, <1/100) — Black Triangle warning added 2017
Breast tenderness/enlargement	Uncommon (≥1/1000, <1/100)
Persistent sexual dysfunction (post-finasteride)	Rare — added to SmPC following MHRA review 2020

Source: MHRA-approved Propecia SmPC (electronic Medicines Compendium, eMC). SmPC frequency categories per EU/EEA standard.

MHRA Yellow Card: UK patients and healthcare professionals can report suspected side effects from finasteride via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. This is particularly important for any persistent sexual side effects or mood changes.

PSA monitoring in UK practice

In line with NICE guidance and UK urology practice, finasteride reduces serum PSA by approximately 50% after 6 months of use at 5 mg. NHS laboratories and GPs managing patients on finasteride for BPH should apply a correction factor:

Multiply the measured PSA by 2.0 after 6+ months on finasteride 5 mg. For finasteride 1 mg, multiply by approximately 1.7. This adjusted value represents the patient’s true PSA equivalent.
Based on NICE NG145 and British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) guidance.

Frequently asked questions (UK)

Can I get finasteride for hair loss on the NHS?

No. Finasteride 1 mg (Propecia) is not available on the NHS for androgenetic alopecia because NICE considers hair loss a cosmetic rather than medical condition. Finasteride 5 mg (Proscar/generic) for BPH is available on the NHS via GP prescription.

Is finasteride available at Boots or Lloyds Pharmacy?

Yes. Generic finasteride 1 mg and Propecia branded are available at most UK pharmacies including Boots and Lloyds, but require a valid UK prescription. The Boots Online Doctor service and Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor both offer private consultations that can result in a prescription dispensed at the pharmacy or delivered by post.

Does finasteride interact with any common UK medications?

Finasteride has very few clinically significant drug interactions. It is not metabolised via the CYP3A4 pathway significantly at 1 mg/day doses. No interaction is expected with common UK medications such as statins, antihypertensives, or SSRIs. Always disclose all medications to your prescriber. See our full interactions guide.

What is the legal status of finasteride in the UK?

Finasteride is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK. It cannot be legally sold without a valid prescription from a registered prescriber. It is not a controlled drug. Importation from overseas pharmacies without a UK prescription may breach UK medicines legislation.

Sources: MHRA Propecia SmPC (eMC, 2024). NICE CKS: Alopecia (2023). NICE NG145: Lower urinary tract symptoms in men (2023). BAUS guidance on PSA interpretation. Kaufman KD et al. JAAD 1998. Van Neste D et al. Br J Dermatol 2000.