Finax

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Finax and finasteride specs

Finax and finasteride specs

Finax which contains the active ingredient finasteride, is a treatment for male hair fall. Finasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which means it stops too much testosterone from being changed into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks your hair follicles and makes your hair grow more slowly or can lead to hair fall.

Finasteride was first used in 1992 to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), sometimes called an enlarged prostate, at a dose of 5mg. Since 1998, 1mg of finasteride has also been used to treat male pattern hair fall. It’s the oldest 5-Alpha-Reductase inhibitor developed to treat people, and it’s still being used. That’s because we know it really works.

Since it’s been around for a while, we also know it’s safe to use long term. So if you hit it off with Finax, you can keep taking it for as long as you want to maintain your new head of hair.

Navkaran Singh Sandhu
Medically reviewed by
Navkaran Singh Sandhu, Lead Doctor
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Medically reviewed by
Dr Navkaran Singh Sandhu
Lead Doctor
on March 13, 2023.
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Finax and Finasteride - what’s the difference?

Finax is a branded product that contains finasteride. If you’re wondering what that means, there isn’t too much of a difference. It contains 1mg of the active ingredient finasteride, which is what matters when it comes to your hair.

Finax has a recognisable name and packaging that comes with their licence to sell their brand of finasteride. Other forms of finasteride treatment might sometimes look a little different, or be produced in different places. The finasteride ingredient is the most important thing, so no matter which medicine you choose, it works in the same way and will be just as effective.

So, if you’re not sure how to pick between Finax and other finasteride treatments, it’s really up to you. Some people prefer branded versions like Finax because they are always the same size, shape, colour and cost less.

How does it work?

Male pattern hair fall is also called androgenetic alopecia. It’s related to male sex hormones, namely dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The function of DHT can be linked to helping you build muscle and maintain a healthy sex life. But DHT also affects the growth and health of hair follicles, and too much of it can make you start to lose the hair on your head as you age.

Finasteride’s mechanism of action is to partly block an enzyme called 5-A-R. This enzyme helps your body convert free or excess testosterone into DHT. This conversion of testosterone into DHT is a natural process, but not what you want if you’re losing hair.

Hair fall caused by DHT will begin affecting most men by the time they’re into their thirties. It affects up to 50% of men by the age of 50 . Finasteride lowers your levels of DHT by stopping the conversion. This helps hair growth and stops you from losing more hair.

What else does Finasteride do?

Finasteride also comes in a 5mg dose, which is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is an enlarged prostate, due to hormone changes as you get older. It isn’t dangerous, but it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as difficulty urinating.

Finasteride reduces the size of the prostate in people with BPH . If you want to learn more about treating BPH with finasteride, we have a page on it.

How to take Finax?

Finax or finasteride for hair fall should be taken once a day. Taking it more than once won’t make it work better, and it’s not good for you. Swallow the tablet whole, make sure you don’t crush or chew it.

There’s no best time to take Finax, and you can take it with or without food. Try to take it around the same time every day though. Setting an alarm can help you remember when it’s time to take it.

How effective is finasteride?

Finax is effective at fighting male hair fall. Two year-long trials found that taking 1mg of finasteride per day both reduced hair loss and increased hair growth significantly . Finasteride works longer-term too, with a five year study finding that 90% of men taking part eithergained hair or maintained it.

They measured this by both examining the hair and through asking the participants. Most of the men taking part were positive about the effects of finasteride on their hair. So not only is finasteride effective at improving the fullness of your hair, it can make a noticeable difference too.

Will it work on my temples or hairline?

Finax works best on the top of your head, and that’s where you’ll see the most growth. Finax should still work on your hairline and temples though. You’ll just need some hair there already for it to work with.

Although even if you don’t, it’s important to remember that Finax doesn’t just help you grow more hair. It also stops your hair from thinning. Finax could be a good choice to stop your temples or hairline from receding more, while giving you a thicker head of hair.

How long does Finax take to work?

Hair growth is a slow process for everyone, even if we don’t consider hair fall. Every hair on your head goes through its own life cycle, where it grows slowly for a few years and then rests for a few months. Healthy hair will usually only grow one centimetre a month. Then, it falls out and starts growing again. Hair loss caused by DHT disrupts this process. It makes the growing phase even shorter and the hair itself often grows patchy and weak.

Finax will start working on your scalp very quickly, immediately working on the DHT levels affecting the follicles on your scalp. But due to the slow process of growing, it can still take a while to realise it’s working.

It often takes three months to start seeing results from finasteride or Finax. The full benefits can take a year to show.

How long does Finax stay in your system?

If you stop taking Finax, it should completely leave your system within a week. This is because it has a short half-life of only five or six hours. The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for a drug's active ingredient to reduce by half in the body.

After you’ve stopped taking finasteride, your hair loss will begin again. You’ll probably lose any hair you have gained in nine to twelve months . Without finasteride, your DHT levels will return to how they were without taking it.

Do Finax or Finasteride pills expire?

Like most medicines, Finax tablets expire after a certain time. Make sure you check the expiry date on the packaging before you use finasteride. Don’t take tablets after the expiry date has passed, because they will not be as safe or effective.

Can you get Finax on prescription?

Finax is only available on prescription. This means you’ll need to talk to a doctor before you take it and get their approval. It’s not the right treatment for everyone, so they’ll have to check if it’s safe and right for you to use.

Prescription medications can only be dispensed by licensed pharmacies. If you’re buying finasteride online, make sure that registered professionals are prescribing it to you. You should also check that the site is registered with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

You can also get a Finax prescription by booking an appointment with a doctor.

Common side effects

Common side effects

DHT is a bit like a more potent testosterone. This means limiting DHT can be great for hair growth, but it can sometimes affect your sex life. One potential side effect can cause some people to find it harder to get an erection or find they have a lower sex drive while taking Finax.

Although this is rare, in some cases Finax has been associated with low mood or depression. If you’re experiencing new or worsening symptoms of low mood, you should stop taking Finax immediately and talk to your doctor.

Most people won’t experience any side effects, but be sure to seek medical advice if you have any worrying symptoms.

Could finasteride or Finax be right for me?

If you’re wondering whether finasteride or Finax could help you with your hair fall, speak to a doctor. Although finasteride is a proven hair-loss treatment, it’s not always effective or suitable for everyone. By assessing the extent of your hair loss, as well as your health needs and history, a registered doctor will be able to help you understand whether the treatment could be safe, suitable and effective for you.

And remember, finasteride isn’t a miracle cure for hair re-growth. Many men that take it find that it mostly just works to prevent any further hair fall — so if you’re looking for something to completely reverse extensive hair fall, finasteride probably isn’t the right choice for you. You’ll need to lower your expectations or seek out alternative options.

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How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Navkaran Singh Sandhu, Lead Doctor on March 13, 2023. Next review due on March 13, 2025.

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