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Hair LossHair Loss

Pattern hair loss has two established medicine options here, alongside a shampoo for a scalp condition and a tablet used for the prostate. Which one suits someone depends on their sex and on whether a related scalp or prostate issue also needs treating.

Propecia

Finasteride

1mg · 5mg

Utilised to manage male pattern hair loss to support follicle density and target hormonal scalp conversion.

From$0.40/ tabletView

Mintop Solution

Minoxidil

2% 60ml · 5% 60ml

Intended to relieve hair thinning to support follicle reactivation and target structural scalp circulation.

From$28.17/ bottleView

Avodart

Dutasteride

0.5mg

Developed to mitigate prostate enlargement to support urinary stream dynamics and alleviate bladder outflow restrictions.

From$2.62/ capsuleView

Nizoral Shampoo

Ketoconazole

200ml 1%

Developed to mitigate scalp fungal colonisation and inflammation to support hair follicle health and alleviate flaking.

From$40.00/ bottleView

Morr F

Minoxidil, Finasteride

5% 60ml

Developed to mitigate androgenic hair loss to support hair follicle density and target local scalp microcirculation.

From$69.00/ sprayView

Key points

  • NHS names finasteride and minoxidil as the main treatments for male pattern baldness; minoxidil can also treat female pattern baldness, but finasteride is not used by women.
  • NHS explains hair loss can be permanent, such as inherited pattern baldness, or temporary, following illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or iron deficiency.

Finasteride and minoxidil for pattern hair loss

Propecia contains finasteride as a tablet and Mintop Solution contains minoxidil as a scalp solution; Morr F combines both in a spray. NHS’s Hair loss page restricts finasteride to men, so only a minoxidil-based option applies to a woman with pattern hair loss.

Nizoral Shampoo treats the scalp, not the follicle

Nizoral Shampoo contains ketoconazole and treats seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp and dandruff, not hair regrowth. Someone with a flaking or itchy scalp alongside their hair loss may need this as well as, or instead of, a regrowth treatment.

Avodart is a prostate medicine, not a hair loss one

Avodart contains dutasteride and treats benign prostatic hyperplasia, not hair loss. NHS’s Finasteride: a medicine for benign prostate enlargement and hair loss page covers both conditions under one ingredient, which is why a prostate medicine can turn up alongside a hair loss one without the two being interchangeable.

Further reading

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