What is finasteride?
Oral 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that slows or reverses pattern hair loss.
What is finasteride?
Oral 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that slows or reverses pattern hair loss.
Also known as
- propecia
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
Quick facts
60–80%
of patients see hair count improvement at 1 year
6–12 months
before benefit reverses after stopping
1–5%
incidence of sexual side effects in trials
Common reasons people choose this procedure
Approaches and motivations vary by surgeon and patient anatomy. Compare techniques and real outcomes on the main Finasteride page.
Alternatives
Minoxidil (topical or oral)
Different mechanism; works synergistically with finasteride. Topical: messy, lifelong. Oral low-dose minoxidil is increasingly common.
Dutasteride (off-label)
Stronger 5-alpha-reductase inhibition than finasteride. Greater efficacy in some studies; same side effect profile, possibly stronger.
Topical finasteride
Lower systemic absorption; growing evidence base. Compounded; not FDA-approved.
Hair transplant
Surgical solution — but most surgeons recommend continuing medical therapy after transplant to prevent further loss.