Male Hair Loss Treatment

This service is unsuitable for you if you are:

• Female.
• Less than 18 years of age.
• Require a prescription for a medication not listed in the medical application form.
• Already using medication to treat benign prostate conditions.
• History of breast or prostate cancer.

Male pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in men (androgenic alopecia). Men can begin to notice a receding hairline or scalp hair loss any time after puberty.

It affects around 30% of men by 30 years of age, and 50% by the age of 50 years. For some men, this normal ageing process can cause significant psychological distress, particularly if it is excessive, or occurs in early adult life.

This pattern of hair loss can sometimes occur in females. Unfortunately, we are NOT able to provide this treatment for females safely via our prescription service.

This process has more of an effect on some individuals than others and is usually more pronounced if you have a family history of male pattern hair loss, which can be inherited from either parent.

The hair loss may be temporary or permanent. If you are concerned about another cause for your hair loss, you should speak with a doctor for advice.

Unfortunately, the treatment offered by our service is for male pattern hair loss ONLY and will not help other causes of hair loss.

Treatment will not recover any significant hair already lost and will only maintain improvements for as long as you are taking the medication. Benefits will be lost within 6 months of stopping treatment.

It can take 3-6 months of continuous use before any benefit is seen. There is no evidence that an increased dose will provide better or faster results.
If no improvement is observed by 12 months of continuous treatment, it is unlikely this treatment will work for you and you should stop it.

Please be aware, this is an “off-licence” use of this medication.

This medication has a product licence to treat prostate problems but can be used at lower doses to treat hair loss in men in an “off-licence” manner, a well recognised use of this medication.

A licensed version of this medication (1mg tablets) is also now available on the Irish market and can also be requested. Please let us know by sending a message on your secure patient account.

This medication will only stimulate hair growth on the scalp, it will not stimulate hair growth on other areas of the body.

Side effects of this treatment are uncommon and are usually mild:

• Rash.
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Decreased libido.
• Tenderness in/ around the nipple area.
• Low mood/ suicidal thoughts.

It is important to note that a small number of men (less than 3%) may experience erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. This often settles without having to stop the medication but very rarely, it can persist after the medication has been stopped.

If you experience any changes in the breast tissue (lumps, discharge, swelling, pain) please seek medical advice. This is because there have been a few very rare reports of breast cancer in men taking this treatment.

If you notice any change or deterioration in your mood when taking this medication, please seek medical advice.

If you develop side effects that you feel are related to this medication (even if they are not listed), stop the medication and seek medical review.

For full information about this medication, it is important to read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine before you start taking it.

• If you are trying to conceive you should not use this medication. It can affect sperm quality.
• This medication may cause harm to an unborn baby.
  • Pregnant women MUST avoid handling these tablets once they have been removed from the protective packing.
  • If your partner is pregnant or might be pregnant you MUST use condoms.