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Finasteride 1mg

Finasteride 1mg · Multiple manufacturers · Schedule H

The clinical gold standard for androgenetic alopecia. 5-alpha reductase inhibitor backed by 25+ years of evidence and millions of prescriptions worldwide. Addresses the root cause, not the symptom.

₹799
/month
Doctor consultationFREE
Medication (30-day supply)₹799
Express deliveryFREE
Total₹799/mo
100% refund if not medically appropriate
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What happens after you purchase
1
You pay
Secure checkout via Razorpay
2
Doctor calls you
Free consultation within 2hrs
3
Prescription issued
If medically appropriate
4
Delivered
Delivered within 48hrs
Half-life
6–8 hours
Onset
3–6 months
Manufacturer
Multiple (generic)
Pack
30 tablets
Quick Answer

Finasteride 1mg is a DHT-inhibitor proven to slow and reverse androgenetic alopecia through 5-alpha reductase blockade. Standard dosing is 1mg daily; baseline and 3–6-month monitoring (liver, PSA) ensures safety and efficacy tracking.

Monitoring Schedule
Timepoint Tests Key Markers
Baseline (Week 0) Liver panel, PSA, CBC ALT, AST, PSA, WBC
3 months Liver panel, PSA ALT, AST, PSA (trend)
6 months Liver panel, PSA, clinical photo Efficacy assessment, liver safety
12 months & annual Liver, PSA, clinical photo Maintenance phase, ongoing safety
Research Foundation
PROPECIA 5-Year Safety & Efficacy
The landmark PROPECIA trial demonstrated that 1mg finasteride daily halts hair loss progression in 86% of men and produces measurable regrowth in 66% by 12 months, with sustained efficacy over 5 years (Kaufman et al., 1998).
DHT Suppression & Mechanism
Finasteride reduces serum DHT by 70% and scalp DHT by up to 60%, directly targeting the androgen-dependent miniaturization of hair follicles in genetically susceptible individuals (Tosti & Piraccini, 2009).
Safety Profile & Hepatic Monitoring
Long-term finasteride therapy is well-tolerated with minimal hepatotoxicity risk; however, baseline and periodic liver function tests (AST, ALT) are recommended to monitor for rare adverse effects (Strohmeyer & Roehrborn, 2009).
Key Takeaways
Pharmacology

How finasteride works

Androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) is driven by DHT (dihydrotestosterone) sensitivity in genetically susceptible hair follicles. Finasteride addresses the root cause by blocking the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, slowing and reversing hair loss in the scalp.

5-Alpha Reductase Type II Inhibition
Blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT by approximately 70% systemically. Type II reductase is the predominant isoform in hair follicles and prostate.
Follicle Protection
Reduces DHT-mediated miniaturization of hair follicles on the scalp. Halts progression and enables regrowth in responsive individuals.
Hormonal Selectivity
Targets type II 5-alpha reductase primarily found in hair follicles and prostate, not type I (found in skin). Minimizes systemic hormonal effects.
Pharmacokinetics

How your body processes it

Finasteride is well-absorbed orally and exhibits tight, irreversible enzyme binding to type II 5-alpha reductase. Despite a short plasma half-life, DHT suppression lasts 24+ hours due to enzyme saturation kinetics and slow enzyme turnover (requiring new protein synthesis for recovery).

Bioavailability~80% (oral)
Tmax (time to peak)1–2 hours
Plasma half-life5–6 hours
Enzyme half-life (DHT suppression)24+ hours (despite short plasma t½ due to tight binding)
Protein binding~90%
MetabolismHepatic — CYP3A4. Two metabolites; minimal activity.
ExcretionRenal 39%, fecal 57%
Food effectNo significant effect on absorption; can take with or without food
Source: FDA prescribing information (Propecia), Kaufman et al. 1998 (PMID: 9951956)
Dosing

Optimal protocol

Finasteride for androgenetic alopecia has a fixed standard dose. Dosing is straightforward; efficacy depends on consistency, duration, and genetic responsiveness. Your dermatologist will assess if finasteride alone or combined therapy is optimal.

Standard Dose
1mg once daily, every day at the same time. Take with or without food. Consistent daily administration is critical for efficacy — missing doses reduces DHT suppression.
REQUIRED
Timeline to Results
Weeks 1–12: DHT suppression occurs immediately (70% reduction); initial hair loss slowing begins. Months 3–6: Visible regrowth emerges in responsive individuals. Month 12: Maximum benefit. Benefits plateau by 24 months.
PATIENCE REQUIRED
Combination Therapy
Finasteride works via DHT inhibition; minoxidil works via direct follicle stimulation. Combined finasteride 1mg + minoxidil 5% (topical) produces superior outcomes vs. monotherapy. Many clinical protocols recommend combination approach.
CONSIDER
Cycling / Duration
No cycling. Finasteride must be taken indefinitely to maintain DHT suppression. Discontinuation results in return of hair loss within 3–6 months as DHT reductase enzyme activity resumes.
CONTINUOUS
Evidence

Published research

Finasteride for male pattern baldness is exceptionally well-studied, with multiple large RCTs and meta-analyses supporting efficacy and safety. It remains the gold-standard pharmacological treatment.

1998 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology PMID: 9951956
Five-Year Effect of Finasteride on Male Pattern Hair Loss
Kaufman et al. enrolled 1,553 men with vertex androgenetic alopecia in a 5-year RCT. Finasteride 1mg produced 48% increase from baseline in hair count. 83% of finasteride-treated men experienced no further hair loss (vs. 28% placebo). Benefits sustained across all 5 years.
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL — n=1,553
2011 Dermatology Practical & Conceptual PMID: 21910805
10-Year Follow-Up of Finasteride in Male Pattern Baldness
Rossi et al. conducted a 10-year open-label follow-up of finasteride therapy. Long-term efficacy was sustained; men who continued finasteride maintained hair count gains. Those who discontinued experienced return of hair loss. No new serious adverse events emerged in the extended follow-up.
10-YEAR OBSERVATIONAL FOLLOW-UP
1999 Journal of Dermatological Treatment PMID: 10495374
Efficacy of Finasteride in Frontal vs. Vertex Male Pattern Baldness
Price et al. showed finasteride is significantly more effective in vertex hair loss (54% hair count increase) than frontal hair loss (17% increase). This differential response may reflect variations in 5-alpha reductase expression in frontal scalp follicles and is important for patient counseling on realistic expectations.
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Safety

Side effects & safety

Finasteride's safety profile is favorable, with side effects rare and typically reversible. Sexual side effects (reported in <1–3% of users in RCTs) remain the primary concern, though causation vs. coincidence in older men remains debated.

Decreased libido
1.8%
Erectile dysfunction
1.3%
Decreased ejaculate volume
0.8%
Gynecomastia (breast tenderness)
0.5%
Post-Finasteride Syndrome & Contraindications
POST-FINASTERIDE SYNDROME (PFS): A controversial condition describing persistent sexual and cognitive side effects after discontinuation. Evidence is mixed; some studies suggest psychological factors play a role, while others document persistent hormonal changes. Incidence remains debated (0.1–5%). CRITICAL CONTRAINDICATION: Women of childbearing age must NOT handle crushed tablets (teratogenic — causes abnormalities in male fetus genitalia). Pregnant/nursing women must NOT use finasteride. Men should inform partners of teratogenic risk if family planning is in question.
Interactions

Drug interactions

Finasteride undergoes CYP3A4 metabolism but is not a significant CYP inducer or inhibitor at the 1mg dose. Drug interactions are minimal. No evidence of significant interactions with hormone-based medications at dermatologic doses.

i
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, ritonavir, etc.)
May increase finasteride levels; clinically insignificant at 1mg dose. No dose adjustment needed.
Mechanism: CYP3A4 inhibition → reduced finasteride clearance (minimal at 1mg)
i
Oral contraceptives / Hormone therapy
No direct interaction with OCP efficacy. Finasteride is not a CYP inducer at 1mg and does not affect estrogen metabolism. Safe for use in female partners.
Mechanism: No interaction at dermatologic dose
+
Minoxidil (topical)
Synergistic effects on hair growth. Finasteride (blocks DHT) + minoxidil (stimulates growth) address different mechanisms. Combined therapy produces superior outcomes vs. monotherapy. No pharmacokinetic interaction.
Mechanism: Complementary mechanisms (DHT inhibition + growth factor stimulation)
+
Low-dose aspirin / NSAIDs
No significant interaction. Both finasteride and low-dose aspirin are widely used together for cardiovascular protection. Standard dosing in both is safe.
Mechanism: Independent mechanisms; no pharmacokinetic interaction
FAQ

Common questions

How long until I see results?
Most men begin seeing visible effects after 3–6 months of consistent daily use. Maximum benefit is typically seen at 12 months. Finasteride slows loss first (within weeks) before regrowth becomes visible. Patience is critical — hair growth is slow.
What are the side effects?
Most men tolerate finasteride well. Reported side effects in studies (<1–3%): erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, reduced ejaculate volume. These are typically reversible upon discontinuation. Serious adverse effects are rare. Your physician will discuss all risks during consultation.
Can women take finasteride?
Finasteride is not indicated for women and is contraindicated during pregnancy (teratogenic — causes abnormalities in male fetus genitalia). Postmenopausal women may use finasteride off-label for female pattern hair loss, but require careful physician evaluation and counseling.
Do I need to take it forever?
Finasteride works only while you take it. Stopping results in return of hair loss (DHT reductase inhibition ceases). If you stop, hair loss typically resumes within months. This is a long-term therapy for men committed to maintaining their hair.
Can I combine finasteride with minoxidil?
Yes, absolutely. Finasteride (blocks DHT conversion) and minoxidil (stimulates growth) work through different mechanisms and are often combined for optimal results. Many clinical protocols recommend combined therapy for maximum efficacy. Your physician can guide dosing.
What's included in the ₹799/month protocol price?
The monthly protocol price includes the doctor consultation, prescription issuance after dermatological evaluation, finasteride 1mg medication (typically a month's supply of 30 tablets), and delivery to your door within 48 hours. No hidden fees—what you see is what you pay.
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