Finasteride for hair loss: the FDA-approved pill for men
Finasteride 1 mg is an FDA-approved daily pill for male pattern hair loss, and the generic of Propecia®. It lowers DHT, the hormone that shrinks hair follicles. Physicians may also prescribe it off-label to women after menopause, never to anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or could become pregnant. Benefit generally takes three months or more and fades within a year of stopping. A US-licensed physician decides whether it fits you; a prescription is not guaranteed.
FDA-approved for hair lossOral tablet, 1 mg · Men, and women after menopause
As low as $46/mo, billed $549 yearly · Free online assessment · Physician-reviewed · A prescription is not guaranteed
No lab tests are required. No scalp photos: the intake is a set of questions. A follow-up visit once a year, every 12 months.
Care is provided by Beluga Health, P.A., a physician group licensed in all 50 states and DC.
Who it may be for
- Men 18 and older with male pattern hair loss: a receding hairline, thinning at the crown, or both.
- Men who want an FDA-approved treatment for this kind of hair loss and are ready to take it daily for the long term.
- Men who can talk openly with their physician about sexual and mood side effects.
- Women after menopause with pattern hair loss: a physician may prescribe it off-label. It is not FDA-approved for women.
Only your physician can decide whether it is appropriate. A prescription is not guaranteed.
Who it is not for
- Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or could become pregnant. It is not FDA-approved for women, and it can harm a male baby’s development.[1]
- Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to finasteride.[1]
- Men planning a family should say so first: male infertility and poor semen quality have been reported after approval.[1]
- Men with a history of depression should say so first: depression and suicidal thoughts have been reported.[1]
How it works
Finasteride blocks type II 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT. Balding scalp has shrunken (miniaturized) follicles and more DHT than scalp with full hair; finasteride lowers DHT in the scalp and the blood.[1]
How long it takes
The label says daily use for three months or more is generally needed before benefit is seen, and the American Academy of Dermatology says about 4 months to notice any improvement. The approval trials judged hair at one and two years. If it works, you keep taking it: stopping reverses the effect within 12 months.[1][2][3]
Side effects and safety
- Sexual side effects in the first year of the trials: lower sex drive (1.8% vs 1.3% on placebo), erection problems (1.3% vs 0.7%) and ejaculation disorders (1.2% vs 0.7%). 1.2% stopped for these, versus 0.9% on placebo.[1]
- Reported after approval: sexual problems that continued after stopping; depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior; breast tenderness or enlargement; and male breast cancer. Tell your physician about any change in mood or any breast lump.[1]
- PSA: finasteride lowers PSA, a prostate cancer blood test (in its trials the average fell from 0.7 to 0.5 ng/mL). Tell whoever checks your PSA that you take it; any confirmed rise while on it should be checked. Its label notes this drug class may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer.[1]
- Pregnant partners: women who are or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets, because finasteride can be absorbed and can harm a male baby’s development.[1]
Get medical care right away for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden swelling of your face, hands or feet. Report a side effect to FDA MedWatch.
Start your free assessment
A private online intake from home. A US-licensed physician reviews it and decides what, if anything, fits you.
Start your free assessmentCommon questions
Is finasteride the generic of Propecia?
Yes. Finasteride 1 mg tablets are the FDA-approved generic of Propecia®, approved to treat male pattern hair loss in men. It is not FDA-approved for women.
How long does finasteride take to work?
Months. Its label says daily use for three months or more is generally needed before benefit is seen, and the approval trials judged hair at one and two years. Outcomes differ from person to person.
Does finasteride cause sexual side effects?
In a small share of men. In the first year of its trials, 3.8% of men on finasteride and 2.1% on placebo reported one. Reports after approval include sexual problems that continued after stopping, which your physician goes over with you.
What happens if I stop taking finasteride?
Its label says the effect reverses within 12 months of stopping, so hair you kept or gained is gradually lost again.
Can I take finasteride if my partner is pregnant?
Tell your physician. Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets, because finasteride can be absorbed and can harm a male baby’s development.
Does finasteride affect a PSA test?
Yes. It lowers PSA, so tell whoever checks your PSA that you take it. Any confirmed rise while you are on it should be checked.
Can women take finasteride?
Only after menopause. Finasteride is FDA-approved for men, not women, but a physician may prescribe it off-label to a woman after menopause. It is never for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or could become pregnant. Other women may be offered oral minoxidil, spironolactone or a finasteride-free scalp spray instead.
Can I get finasteride online?
Yes, with VevaMD: you answer a private intake, a US-licensed physician from Beluga Health, P.A. reviews it and decides whether finasteride fits you, and if prescribed it ships to your door.
Sources
- Propecia® (finasteride) tablets, prescribing information. Organon. DailyMed. Checked October 23, 2026.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: Diagnosis and treatment. Checked October 23, 2026.
- Kaufman KD, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride Male Pattern Hair Loss Study Group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39(4 Pt 1):578-589. Checked October 23, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Checked October 23, 2026.
Last updated 2026-10-24. Content standards
Care is provided by Beluga Health, P.A., a physician group licensed in all 50 states and DC. Clinical care is provided by board-certified, US-licensed physicians. VevaMD Inc is a technology and marketing storefront only — not a medical provider or a pharmacy. Prescriptions are only issued if a licensed physician determines treatment is appropriate. Compounded medications are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies for individual patients. They are not FDA-approved and have not been reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness or quality. This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a visit with your own physician. Brand names are trademarks of their owners; VevaMD is not affiliated with them. Outcomes differ from person to person.