Dutasteride vs Finasteride - UK From £17.99

When comparing dutasteride vs finasteride for male pattern hair loss, many men want to understand which treatment offers better results and how they differ in mechanism, efficacy and side-effect profile. Both are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors that reduce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia, but they work in subtly different ways. At Cured Pharmacy, our UK-registered clinical team assesses each patient individually to determine the most appropriate option, with prices starting from £17.99 and a free online consultation completed in under three minutes.

What Is the Core Difference Between Dutasteride vs Finasteride?

Finasteride 1mg (including the branded Propecia) selectively inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme predominantly found in hair follicles and the prostate, reducing scalp DHT by approximately 70% [1]. Dutasteride 0.5mg inhibits both type I and type II isoenzymes, achieving a more profound suppression of serum DHT—around 90% reduction—which theoretically could translate to greater follicle protection [2].

However, finasteride 1mg is licensed in the UK specifically for male pattern hair loss and has decades of safety data in this population, whereas dutasteride is licensed only for benign prostatic hyperplasia and is prescribed off-label for hair loss at the prescriber's discretion. Both require ongoing use to maintain any benefit, and visible improvement typically takes three to six months of consistent treatment.

• Finasteride blocks type II enzyme; dutasteride blocks both type I and type II isoforms
• Dutasteride achieves approximately 90% DHT suppression versus 70% with finasteride
• Finasteride is licensed for hair loss; dutasteride is used off-label in the UK
• Both treatments require continuous use to sustain results

Dutasteride vs Finasteride: Clinical Evidence and Effectiveness

In a 24-week randomised trial comparing dutasteride 0.5mg, dutasteride 2.5mg and finasteride 1mg in men with androgenetic alopecia, both doses of dutasteride produced significantly greater increases in hair count than finasteride, with the 0.5mg dose showing a 12.2% improvement in target-area hair count versus 5.6% for finasteride [2]. Longer-term observational studies suggest dutasteride may offer incremental benefit in men who have had a suboptimal response to finasteride, though head-to-head data beyond six months remain limited.

Finasteride 1mg has been studied extensively in phase III trials enrolling over 1,800 men, demonstrating that two-thirds of participants maintained or increased hair count over two years, with best results seen at the vertex [1]. Real-world experience and regulatory approval support finasteride as first-line pharmacotherapy for male pattern hair loss in the UK, while dutasteride is typically considered when finasteride has not delivered the desired outcome or when a prescriber judges the additional DHT suppression worthwhile.

Which Treatment Produces Faster Results?

Neither dutasteride nor finasteride produces rapid hair regrowth; both require a minimum of three months before any visible change, and peak benefit may take 12–24 months [1][2]. Some men notice stabilisation of shedding within the first few weeks, but measurable increases in hair density are gradual. Dutasteride's longer half-life (approximately five weeks versus six hours for finasteride) means it takes longer to reach steady state and equally longer to clear if discontinued.

Side Effects and Safety: Dutasteride vs Finasteride Compared

Both finasteride and dutasteride share a similar side-effect profile because they target the same biochemical pathway. The most commonly reported adverse effects are sexual in nature—reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory disorders—occurring in approximately 1–2% of men in clinical trials, though real-world reports vary [1][3]. The MHRA advises that patients should seek medical advice if they experience sexual side effects or mood changes, including depression or anxiety, and that these effects can, in rare cases, persist after stopping treatment [3].

Because dutasteride achieves more complete DHT suppression and has a much longer half-life, some clinicians hypothesise a marginally higher risk or longer duration of side effects, though robust comparative safety data are lacking. Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets or capsules of either medicine due to risk of foetal abnormalities. Any treatment decision must be made by a UK prescriber after a full clinical assessment, weighing individual risk factors and treatment goals.

1. Review your medical history and current medications with the prescriber during consultation
2. Start treatment at the standard licensed or recommended dose as advised
3. Monitor for any side effects, particularly in the first three months
4. Report sexual dysfunction or mood changes to your prescriber promptly
5. Continue treatment consistently for at least six months before assessing benefit

Compare Hair Loss Treatments at Cured Pharmacy

Dutasteride vs Finasteride: UK Availability and Pricing at Cured Pharmacy

At Cured Pharmacy, finasteride 1mg tablets are available from £12.49 for 28 tablets, while dutasteride 0.5mg capsules start at £17.99 for 30 capsules. Branded options—Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride)—are also stocked for patients who prefer the originator product. All hair loss treatments are prescription-only medicines supplied only after an online clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber, which is free and takes under three minutes to complete.

We offer transparent upfront pricing, 100% discreet packaging and next-day delivery across the UK. New patients receive 20% off their first order with code Hairlossnew, and our superintendent pharmacist Tarun Kumar (GPhC 2233073) and clinical team are available by phone on (+44) 116 4646009 for any queries. Every medicine is UK-licensed and sourced from MHRA-approved wholesalers, ensuring you receive genuine, safe treatment.

How to Order Dutasteride or Finasteride Online

Visit the Cured Pharmacy hair loss collection at curedpharmacy.com/collections/hair-loss, select your preferred treatment and complete the short online questionnaire. A UK prescriber will review your answers, and if approved, your order is dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy (9012511) and dispatched the same day for next-day delivery. Repeat prescriptions can be set up for automatic refills, so you never run out.

Making the Choice: Dutasteride vs Finasteride for Your Hair Loss Journey

Choosing between dutasteride and finasteride depends on your treatment history, the severity and pattern of your hair loss, your tolerance for potential side effects and your prescriber's clinical judgement. For most men starting pharmacological treatment for androgenetic alopecia, finasteride 1mg is the evidence-based first choice, supported by regulatory approval and extensive real-world use. Dutasteride may be considered if finasteride has been tried for at least 12 months without sufficient benefit, or in specific cases where a prescriber believes the additional DHT suppression justifies off-label use.

Neither treatment is a cure, and both require lifelong use to maintain results; stopping either will lead to gradual return of hair loss over six to twelve months. Combining a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor with topical minoxidil 5% (available in our Hair Loss Combo Pack from £34.99) can enhance overall results by addressing hair loss through complementary mechanisms [4]. Our clinical team at Cured Pharmacy will guide you through the options, ensuring you receive a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and supported by the latest UK guidance.

• Free online consultation completed in under three minutes with UK prescribers
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees; prices shown before you consult
• Next-day delivery in 100% discreet packaging across the UK
• Genuine UK-licensed medicines dispensed by GPhC-registered pharmacy
• Ongoing support from our superintendent pharmacist and clinical team

Scientific references

1. Kaufman, K. D., Olsen, E. A., Whiting, D., Savin, R., DeVillez, R., Bergfeld, W., ... & Roberts, J. (1998). Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 39(4), 578–589. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-9622(98)70007-6 [accessed 28 October 2026]
2. Olsen, E. A., Hordinsky, M., Whiting, D., Stough, D., Hobbs, S., Ellis, M. L., ... & Topical Minoxidil in Early Male Pattern Baldness Study Group. (2006). The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 55(6), 1014–1023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.007 [accessed 28 October 2026]
3. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2017). Finasteride 1mg for male pattern hair loss: reports of depression and suicidal thoughts. Drug Safety Update, 10(12), A1. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/finasteride-1-mg-for-male-pattern-hair-loss-reports-of-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts [accessed 28 October 2026]
4. Gupta, A. K., & Charrette, A. (2014). The efficacy and safety of 5α-reductase inhibitors in androgenetic alopecia: a network meta-analysis and benefit-risk assessment of finasteride and dutasteride. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 25(2), 156–161. https://doi.org/10.3109/09546634.2013.813011 [accessed 28 October 2026]
5. NHS. (2026). Hair loss. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hair-loss/ [accessed 28 October 2026]
6. NHS. (2026). Finasteride: a medicine to treat an enlarged prostate and male pattern baldness. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/ [accessed 28 October 2026]