| Type of treatment |
Prescription oral tablet taken once daily |
Branded oral tablet (finasteride 1mg) taken once daily |
Topical treatment applied directly to the scalp |
| How it works |
Lowers levels of DHT, the hormone that causes genetically sensitive hair follicles to shrink |
Same active ingredient and dose as generic finasteride – lowers DHT in the scalp |
Helps increase blood flow to hair follicles and prolongs the hair growth phase |
| How to use |
Swallow 1 tablet daily at roughly the same time each day |
Swallow 1 tablet daily at roughly the same time each day |
Apply to dry scalp once or twice daily (as directed in the product instructions) |
| Typical areas of benefit |
Crown and mid-scalp thinning; may also help with receding areas if follicles are still active |
Same as generic finasteride – crown and mid-scalp thinning |
Thinning areas on the scalp (crown and vertex); can be used on other thinning areas as instructed |
| Time to see results |
Usually 3–6 months of daily use for noticeable improvement; maximum benefit around 12 months |
Same timeline as generic finasteride – several months for visible change |
Often 2–4 months before early improvement; further gains with longer, consistent use |
| Ongoing use |
Needs continuous daily use to maintain results; stopping usually leads to gradual loss of benefit |
Same – long-term daily treatment if effective and well tolerated |
Needs regular ongoing application; stopping usually leads to gradual return of hair loss |
| Common side effects |
A small number of men report reduced sex drive, erection difficulties, or mood changes; see leaflet for full details |
Similar side-effect profile to generic finasteride |
Possible scalp irritation, dryness, itching, or unwanted hair growth on nearby skin if it runs/drips |
| Who it's for |
Adult men with male pattern hair loss who are medically suitable for finasteride |
Adult men who prefer a branded version of finasteride or whose prescriber recommends it |
Adults with male pattern hair loss who prefer a non-tablet option or who are using it alongside tablets (if advised) |
| Who should avoid it |
Not for women, anyone under 18, or men advised not to take it by a clinician |
Same as generic finasteride |
Not for use on broken/infected skin; not suitable for everyone with heart or blood pressure conditions – follow product and prescriber advice |
| Can it be combined? |
May be used with topical minoxidil in some men, if advised by a prescriber |
Same – combination use only under clinical guidance |
Can sometimes be used together with finasteride; always follow prescriber or product guidance |