# Finasteride vs Minoxidil UK Compared | Pick My Pharmacy

URL: https://pickmypharmacy.co.uk/answers/finasteride-vs-minoxidil-uk/
Description: Finasteride is typically £10–£30 a month (prescription); minoxidil £20–£40 (no prescription). How UK prices and roles differ for male-pattern hair loss.

---

- [Home](/)
- /[Answers](/answers/)
- /Finasteride vs minoxidil — which should I compare in the UK?

Costs & Charges

# Finasteride vs minoxidil — which should I compare in the UK?

By [Kaiser Khan](/author/kaiser-khan/) · Updated 9 July 2026

In short

For male-pattern hair loss in the UK, finasteride tablets typically cost £10–£30 a month through a private online pharmacy after a consultation, while minoxidil foam or solution costs about £20–£40 a month without a prescription. They work differently — finasteride reduces DHT; minoxidil supports follicle blood flow — and many men use both. The NHS does not fund pattern hair-loss treatment, so almost everyone pays privately.

At a glance

- ·Finasteride: typically £10–£30/month, prescription-only, men only
- ·Minoxidil: typically £20–£40/month, no prescription needed
- ·Combination use is common — budget roughly £30–£70/month
- ·NHS does not fund pattern hair-loss treatment
- ·Results take months and reverse if you stop
- ·MHRA has issued safety communications on finasteride side effects

## Cost and access

Finasteride needs an online or GP private consultation; the monthly service price usually includes prescribing and delivery. Minoxidil is sold over the counter from pharmacies. Generic finasteride is much cheaper than branded Propecia for the same 1mg dose. Multi-month packs of either treatment usually reduce the per-month cost.

## How they differ

Finasteride blocks conversion of testosterone to DHT, which drives male-pattern hair loss. Minoxidil is applied to the scalp and can help maintain or regrow hair in suitable users. Neither is a quick fix — expect 3–6 months before judging results. Finasteride is not for women and must not be handled in pregnancy; minoxidil products have their own age and use restrictions on the label.

## Choosing safely

Sudden, patchy, or symptomatic hair loss needs a GP review before you spend on pattern-baldness treatments. For finasteride, use only GPhC-registered pharmacies and read the safety information on sexual and mood-related side effects. This page is general information, not medical advice.

Next step

## Compare Pharmacies for What You Need

See NHS services, private prices, and reviews side by side — GPhC-checked, free, and no obligation. Pharmacies you don't pick never see your details.
[Browse pharmacies](/pharmacies/)[Prescription Cost calculators →](/calculators/)
## People Also Ask
Can I use finasteride and minoxidil together?+
Many men do, and clinics often discuss combination plans. Whether it suits you is a clinical decision — tell the prescriber what you already use.
Which is cheaper long term?+
Generic finasteride alone is usually the lowest monthly cost. Minoxidil adds cost if used as well. Judge value over a year, because benefits reverse when you stop.
Is topical finasteride available in the UK?+
Some clinics offer compounded topical products, but oral finasteride 1mg is the standard licensed tablet route. Ask the clinic what is licensed vs compounded and what monitoring they provide.

Keep reading

- [How much does hair loss treatment cost in the UK?](/answers/how-much-does-hair-loss-treatment-cost/)
- [What does a private prescription cost in the UK?](/answers/what-does-a-private-prescription-cost/)
- [How do I check if an online pharmacy is legit?](/answers/how-do-i-check-if-an-online-pharmacy-is-legit/)
- [Compare hair loss treatment prices](/treatments/hair-loss/)
- [Finasteride price comparison](/treatments/hair-loss/finasteride/)
- [Minoxidil price comparison](/treatments/hair-loss/minoxidil/)

**Affiliate disclosure:**Pick My Pharmacy is free to use. We may earn a fee when you visit a referral partner or send a private-service enquiry. That never changes ratings, match results, or the prices you pay. Outbound partner links userel="sponsored". See[affiliate compliance](/methodology/#affiliate-compliance)and[how we make money](/how-it-works/).

This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk) or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from our[methodology](/methodology/).