Last updated 28 February 2022
No. While Boots is the mostubiquitoushigh-street pharmacy in the UK, it is often not the cheapest option for many medicines, and not for men requiring Propecia to treat.
Currently (March 2022)Boots sell finasteride tablets from 82p each– this is for generic finasteride 1mg, not branded Propecia from Merck. Boots sell Propecia from £1.19 per tablet.
To buy Propecia from Boots you will need to register with the Boots Hair Loss Online Clinic, and complete a medical questionnaire. After 2 days you can either pick-up your order from a Boots store or local Post Office, or have it delivered
Dr Fox also provides a mail order optionfor just 38p per tablet(plus small prescription fee and P& P). Dr Fox also provides.From online doctor and pharmacy.
| Supplier | 28 tablets | 56 tablets | 84 tablets | 168 tablets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr FoxGeneric finasteride | £12.20 | £21.50 | £31.20 | £58.80 |
| Branded Propecia | £42.40 | £81.70 | £108.40 | £214.00 |
| Boots Pharmacy | £51.00 | £91.00 | £110.00 | £200.00 |
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Propecia 1mg tablets are prescription-only medicine for the treatment of male pattern hair loss and contains the active ingredientfinasterideIt is a daily tablet usually taken for many years, so cost savings can be significant. Propecia is sold in packs of 28 (4 weeks) or 84 (12 weeks).
Finasteride 1mg should not be confused with finasteride 5mg. Finasteride 5mg is used for the treatment of benign prostate cancer.
Propecia is a brand name for finasteride 1mg. Propecia lost its patent protection in allowing lower cost generics to be licenced for sale in the UK. Generic finasteride 1mg tablets and Propecia tablets are.
For further details please read:
Topical (minoxodil 5%) foam or lotion applied to the scalp twice daily is the only other effective hair loss treatment, and can be used at the same time as Propecia.
Men can also visit their GP or private doctor to obtain aprivate prescription for Propecia, and take that paper prescription into a Boots store. Doctors will charge for private prescriptions, usually £8-£20 but this can be much higher.
If you have a private paper prescription for 84 x Propecia 1mgtablets (12 weeks worth) prices are:
If you already have a private paper prescription you can post to our pharmacy ().
Prices withou more than your healthFor further details see
Boots offers a modern and accessible approach to pharmacy storage and use, and we believe data and patient care collaborate best.
There is an ongoing debate on the efficacy of finasteride (5-alpha-reductase inhibitors) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men who are experiencing symptoms of BPH. It is thought that the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may have additional benefits in delaying the progression of BPH, especially in patients who have not responded to previous therapies, or in patients who have had a reduction in prostatic size with other treatments. However, the effectiveness of finasteride for men with BPH has not been determined. This study assessed the efficacy of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in the treatment of men with BPH and found that 1,200 mg finasteride daily resulted in a statistically significant increase in the reduction in BPH symptoms compared to placebo. The 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which are primarily used to treat symptomatic BPH, are a combination of finasteride and a weak inhibitor of the 5-alpha-reductase, and finasteride has the unique property of increasing its solubility in both benign and symptomatic BPH patients. This study found that 1,200 mg finasteride daily resulted in a statistically significant increase in the reduction in BPH symptoms compared to placebo. The 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors appear to have the potential to be a first-line treatment option for the treatment of men with symptomatic BPH. A phase III, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (PROSPERO/EAN/PREVASTIS) is warranted to further evaluate these results. Copyright © 2025. The American Society for Sexual Medicine. Published by Elsevier B. V. Inc. All rights reserved.
Citation:Ranasingh S, Bhattari M, Khan R, Singh A, Kothari A (2021) Effect of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor therapy on BPH symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PLoS ONE 11(11): e103526. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.003526
Editor:Leena Parati, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States of America
Received:February 4, 2020;Accepted:December 30, 2020;Published:April 15, 2021
This is an open-access article, which may be freely reproduced without the express written permission of the cited author.
Funding:This study was supported by grants from the National Institute of Health (R01-AG038894) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Rheumatism, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grant R01AG038894, and a post-doctoral fellowship from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.
Competing interests:The authors have read the journal's policy and the authors have the following competing interests: Amit K, A. Khan R, Khan A, Singh A, Khan R, Singh A, Khan S, Gupta R, Khan S, Singh D, Singh P, Khan S, Gupta A, Khan D, Singh H (with other collaborators), and Khan H (with additional collaborators) are employees of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The other authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common type of male pattern hair loss in men. This condition has significant impact on quality of life, and many men with BPH can lead to significant functional impairment in the daily activities, and this can affect their quality of life.
The prostate is a small gland (Pelvis) located at the base of the penis. It is characterized by enlargement of the prostate and its symptoms can affect men with BPH. The symptoms of BPH are often non-specific and can vary in severity from mild to severe.
General Product DescriptionPropecia (finasteride)is a widely used medication for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). It works by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes hair loss. Propecia is produced in a number of different stages of its production:
Precautions
You should only use Propecia if prescribed by a doctor. Some men may have hair loss that is reversible and stops completely after a few months. Your hair will grow back soon after you stop taking it. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Important Information
Before starting treatment with Propecia, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it, if you have a history of breast cancer, any other hormonal changes you experience, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Propecia can cause birth defects if it is used in pregnancy. Before taking Propecia, inform your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy or if you are breast-feeding.
Dosage and Administration
For most men who have male pattern baldness, the recommended dose of Propecia is 1mg daily for a minimum of 5 to 7 days. For men who have a receding hairline, the typical daily dose is 1-2mg. It is important to take Propecia exactly as directed by your doctor. The doctor will decide the best dose for you based on your condition. Propecia is usually taken orally, usually at the start of a new cycle, with a meal to take before the cycle begins. Do not miss any doses.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Overdose
If you think you may have taken too much Propecia, seek emergency medical attention or contact a doctor immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include:
It is important to inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions:
Side Effects
Propecia may cause side effects in some individuals.
Fluoxetine (Fluvoxamine) is used to treat depression, and also to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer. It can also be used for hair loss. It is also used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by blocking the production of the male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
Fluoxetine works by stimulating the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes hair loss and prostate enlargement. By blocking DHT, it may also reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
The dosage of this medication depends on the individual's condition and response to treatment. For example, you may be prescribed one tablet daily for one month. You may also be prescribed a second tablet daily for one year or for another year. To find out the dosage, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Allergic reactions may occur; you may experience one or more of these side effects:
Contact your doctor or healthcare provider right away if any of these side effects persist or become severe.
If you get any side effects that bother you or don't go away, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
For more details about the side effects of this medication, including details about what to do if you have one, check out these general drug information guides:
The dosage of this medication may vary depending on the condition you are treating and the response to treatment.
You can take this medication with or without food. However, it is important to take this medication with a full glass of water. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. You should not take this medication with dairy products (e.g., milk or yogurt) or calcium-fortified juices. You can take it with or without food. You should not use this medication with iron or calcium supplements.
To reduce the risk of taking this medication if you are also taking finasteride (Propecia), it is important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions. It may take some time to take effect and the amount of this medication will depend on several factors, including your dosage.
If you have questions about the dosing information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to any other medications, including the ones listed below: