Pattern hair loss

Men's health

Finasteride

Finasteride pills by mouth, plus minoxidil you put on your scalp. A clinician prescribes them after reviewing your photos.

See if I qualifyFrom $31/mo

$0 until a clinician approves · FSA/HSA eligible

$0 until a clinician approves.

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To get a prescription, you need an online visit reviewed by a U.S.-licensed provider. Compounded medicines are made by licensed U.S. pharmacies and are not FDA-approved. Results vary from person to person.

Who it’s for

Early to moderate male pattern hair loss
OK taking a daily pill and using a scalp solution twice a day
Willing to give it about six months before judging it

See if I qualify

You usually notice it in a photo before you notice it in the mirror.

How it works

Finasteride is a pill that stops testosterone from turning into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the hormone most responsible for male pattern hair loss.

Read the full Finasteride profile →Read the full Minoxidil profile →

What we can and can't tell you

Finasteride slows hair loss and can partly reverse it. It works best on hair you still have. Results take months to show, and they only last while you keep taking it.

Who makes it A LegitScript-verified 503A compounding pharmacy makes it from your prescription. We never use gray-market or overseas suppliers.
To what standard USP <797> standards for sterile compounding, and USP <800> standards for handling hazardous drugs, where they apply

How we source and ship →

Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety or effectiveness. They are not generic versions of any brand-name drug, and they are not equivalent to one.

What the first months look like

Weeks 1–4

DHT (the hormone that shrinks hair follicles) drops quickly. The mirror doesn't change yet. Start both medicines and build a daily habit. Taking them every day is what matters most.

Weeks 4–8

Some extra shedding can happen early on minoxidil, and it's usually temporary. If shedding keeps going or gets much worse, tell your clinician so they can check it.

Months 3–6

This is when you and your clinician can start to judge it. For many men, the first sign is slower hair loss. Some see regrowth, most often at the crown (the top and back of your head). Results vary.

Month 6+

Photo check-ins track how it's going. To keep your results, you have to keep using it. If you stop, the hair loss starts again.

Dosing, step by step

Finasteride	1 mg by mouth, daily — results show over 3–6 months
Minoxidil (topical)	1 mL of 5% solution to scalp, twice daily — using it every day matters more than using more
Ongoing	Same doses, continued — results last only while you keep using it

There's no dose ladder here. The doses stay the same, and what changes is time. Your clinician confirms the plan after reviewing your photos.

And when it gets rough

Show what helps

Decreased libido Tell your clinician. There are dose changes and other options. Don't just push through it.
Erectile changes Tell your clinician. Bring it up at your next check-in, or sooner if it bothers you.
Scalp irritation (minoxidil) Tell your clinician. They can check it and may suggest a different formula.
Initial shedding (weeks 4–8) This can happen early on minoxidil and is usually temporary. If it keeps going or gets much worse, tell your clinician.

Full safety profile →

Safety information

A U.S.-licensed clinician reviews every prescription and decides whether this medicine is right for you. During your visit, tell them if any of the following applies to you or your family.

Finasteride

Common side effects

Lower sex drive, Erection changes

Less common

Mood changes

Rare

Post-finasteride syndrome (debated, still being studied)

Interactions

Generally few at low doses

Minoxidil

Common side effects

Scalp irritation (topical), Extra shedding at first (4–8 weeks)

Less common

Facial hair growth (oral), Lightheadedness (oral)

Rare

Fast heartbeat, water retention (oral, more likely at higher doses)

Interactions

Blood pressure medicines: blood pressure may drop further (oral)

Full safety profile → See if I qualify

Why we start you here

Finasteride can help some men with pattern hair loss, but results vary and take months. First we look at what's causing your hair loss. We also go over possible side effects, including sexual ones. Anyone who is or may become pregnant shouldn't handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets. The minoxidil you put on your scalp has its own side effects, which we'll explain.

Medical Director · Zappy clinical team

How it works

Three steps, no insurance hoops

Take the quiz

About 5 minutes. Tell us your symptoms, history, and goals.

Clinician reviews

A U.S.-licensed clinician looks at your answers within 24 hours. If it's right for you, they write your plan.

Care ships free

Your medication arrives in days. Refills come on their own, and check-ins are included.

Common questions

How much does Finasteride cost?

From $31/mo on a 6‑month plan, or $39 if you pay month to month. That price covers everything: the medication and your clinician's care. There's no membership fee, and the price is the same at every dose. You'll see the full price before checkout. You pay nothing unless a clinician approves you.

How is Finasteride taken?

1 mg by mouth, once a day. Results show up over 3–6 months. To keep the results, you have to keep taking it. On the scalp: 1 mL of 5% solution, twice a day. As a pill (off-label for hair): 0.25–2.5 mg a day, with a clinician supervising.

What are the side effects of Finasteride?

Finasteride: Common: lower sex drive, erection changes. Less common: mood changes. Rare: post-finasteride syndrome (debated, still being studied). Minoxidil: Common: scalp irritation (topical), extra shedding at first (4–8 weeks). Less common: facial hair growth (oral), lightheadedness (oral). Rare: fast heartbeat, water retention (oral, more likely at higher doses). Your clinician checks your health history before prescribing. They'll change your plan if side effects come up.

Does Finasteride interact with other medications?

Tell your clinician about everything you take. Known interactions: Generally few at low doses; Blood pressure medicines: blood pressure may drop further (oral).

Is Finasteride FDA-approved?

No. Compounded medicines are made for you by licensed U.S. pharmacies, based on your prescription. They are not FDA-approved.