Male and female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) affect millions of people in the UK. Whilst Finasteride remains the most widely known DHT blocker for hair loss, there is growing interest in Dutasteride as a potentially more powerful alternative. Developed and currently only licensed as a treatment for enlarged prostates, Dutasteride is sometimes also prescribed by hair loss specialists in the UK in both oral and topical forms. Like Finasteride, it is a prescription-only medicine with significant risks and side effects. As such it is not suitable for everyone and is not freely available as a hair loss treatment. In this post we review medical services where to get oral and topical Dutasteride for hair loss treatment online and in person in the UK.
Why is Dutasteride a Prescription Only Medicine?
Before diving in, it’s important to understand why Dutasteride is strictly prescription only in the UK. Dutasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is the hormone primarily responsible for shrinking hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia. Unlike Finasteride which only blocks the type 2 version of this enzyme, Dutasteride blocks both type 1 and type 2. This means it can suppress circulating DHT by over 90% compared with approximately 70% for Finasteride. It also has a much longer half-life of around 5 weeks (versus 6–8 hours for Finasteride) which means it stays in the body long after stopping.
Oral Dutasteride is licensed in the UK to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate). However, it is available as unlicensed in oral or topical form for treating hair loss in suitable patients on a case by case basis. Taiwan, South Korea and Japan are currently the only countries where oral Dutasteride has regulatory approval for androgenetic hair loss in men.
Is Dutasteride Safe?
Because Dutasteride is more potent than Finasteride, it also shares (and in some cases may amplify) its risks. These include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory problems, mood changes including depression and anxiety, breast tenderness and gynaecomastia. As with Finasteride, some patients have reported persistent sexual and psychological side effects even after stopping treatment. Dutasteride’s long half-life means it takes months to clear from the body, managing these side effects can be particularly challenging. It also not safe for use in women of childbearing potential or anyone who may become pregnant. This is because it can cause severe birth defects. All of these potential risks require careful discussion and weighing up. Before starting Dutasteride for hair loss, it is essential to have a thorough medical consultation.
Oral vs Topical Dutasteride for Hair Loss
There are two forms of Dutasteride currently in use for hair loss in the UK. Oral Dutasteride is available as 0.5mg capsules which you typically take once daily. However, some specialists may use lower dosing frequencies to try and limit side effects. Studies have shown it to be more effective than Finasteride at improving hair density in androgenetic alopecia, but it also carries a higher risk of side effects.
Topical Dutasteride is an unlicensed, compounded treatment, usually formulated as a solution, serum or spray applied directly to the scalp. Concentrations typically range from 0.01% to 0.25%. Formulas may also combine it with other actives such as Minoxidil, Caffeine, Melatonin or Tretinoin. The theory is that delivering the drug directly to the hair follicles can minimise systemic absorption. Therefore this should reduce the risk of systemic side effects whilst still targeting the source of hair loss. Early clinical trial data is promising but the studies are small and larger trials are still necessary to fully establish its safety and effectiveness. Because of this, topical Dutasteride is only available through specialist compounding pharmacies and hair loss clinics.
How to Get Dutasteride for Hair Loss in Person in the UK
Since Dutasteride is not licensed for hair loss, it is effectively impossible to get it on the NHS for this purpose. In general, the NHS doesn’t offer any treatment androgenetic alopecia. As such, you will need to see a private GP, dermatologist or specialist hair loss clinician. Also beware that not all private providers prescribe Dutasteride off-label, and those who do should counsel you thoroughly about the risks and monitor you regularly. After your consultation, and assuming the doctor feels it is appropriate for you, they will usually issue a private prescription which you can then take to the pharmacy. For topical Dutasteride, the prescription will usually go to a specialist compounding pharmacy who will formulate and deliver your treatment.
Where to Get Dutasteride for Hair Loss Online in the UK
Dutasteride is significantly less widely available online in the UK than Finasteride in oral or topical form. Many of the well-known telehealth subscription services including Hims, Numan, Manual, Sons, Boots Online Doctor, LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, Superdrug Online Doctor and Zava do not currently prescribe Dutasteride for hair loss at all. Most stick to oral Finasteride and topical or oral Minoxidil. Getting Dutasteride online therefore requires a medical provider that is willing and able to prescribe off-label oral tablets or compounded topical Dutasteride formulas. As with Finasteride, your provider should carry out a thorough medical review of your hair loss, physical and mental health. They should also counsel you properly about the risks and only provide treatment if appropriate. Below are the main medical platforms where it is possible to get Dutasteride online for hair loss in the UK.
#1 City Skin Clinic
City Skin Clinic is an online medical clinic providing personalised prescription skin and hair loss treatments. We offer custom topical hair loss treatments following an online consultation by a UK registered doctor. Custom hair serums can contain agents like Dutasteride, Finasteride, Minoxidil, Melatonin, Caffeine, Tretinoin and Spironolactone where appropriate and safe. We provide topical Dutasteride hair loss treatments for adult men and post-menopausal women if the doctor deems it safe and appropriate. Your doctor will advise the best strength of Dutasteride (0.01-0.25%) to start. Formulas cost a flat fee regardless of strength or composition of your custom hair serum. All treatments are formulated by a specialist compounding pharmacy and delivered directly to you. The same doctor will provide care throughout your treatment journey. They will monitor your progress and adjust the next formula as needed. You can either schedule a virtual video appointment or complete the online consultation form to access treatment.
#2 The Independent Pharmacy
The Independent Pharmacy is UK online pharmacy that offers prescription hair loss treatments. They provide generic and branded (Avodart) oral Dutasteride 0.5mg for suitable men with pattern hair loss following completion of an online consultation. Their medical team reviews all forms and comprises doctors and pharmacists. If approved, your prescription is dispensed by their pharmacy team and delivered to your door. They do not offer a topical Dutasteride option.
#3 Oxford Online Pharmacy
Oxford Online Pharmacy is another UK online pharmacy that also offers generic and branded (Avodart) oral Dutasteride 0.5mg for men with pattern hair loss. To access their service, you complete a short online consultation form where you choose and pay for the treatment. A member of their clinical team reviews your suitability and, if appropriate, they will deliver the treatment to your home. They also do not offer topical Dutasteride.
#4 Simple Online Pharmacy
Simple Online Pharmacy offers oral 0.5mg Dutasteride (Avodart) to suitable men with pattern hair loss in the UK. They’re a UK pharmacy which also offers an online doctor (GP) service. You complete an online assessment form which one of their doctors reviews to determine eligibility. If approved, they post the medication to your home. Only oral hair loss treatments are available through this service.
#5 Hair Repair Clinic
Hair Repair Clinic is a UK specialist hair loss service that offers both oral and topical Dutasteride. The oral option is Dutasteride 0.5mg capsules. Their compounded topical treatment contains Dutasteride with the option to combine it with Minoxidil or Tretinoin for an extra fee. You’ll need to complete an online consultation form which a pharmacist reviews and will prescribe your treatment if appropriate. Treatment is then delivered to your home.
#6 The Family Chemist
The Family Chemist is another UK online pharmacy that offers oral 0.5mg Dutasteride (generic and Avodart) for men with pattern hair loss. To access their service, you complete an online medical questionnaire which is reviewed by one of their prescribing clinicians. If approved, your medication is delivered directly to you. They offer oral hair loss treatments as well as topical minoxidil.
#7 Click2Pharmacy
Click2Pharmacy is a UK based online pharmacy and clinic that offers oral Dutasteride 0.5mg (generic or Avodart) for men with pattern hair loss. After completing an online consultation form, their prescribing pharmacists will review your suitability. If approved, the treatment is dispensed and delivered to your door. They do not offer topical Dutasteride.
#8 Hair + Me
Hair + Me is a UK telehealth hair loss treatment provider and an offshoot of Skin + Me, the prescription skincare subscription service. They offer oral Dutasteride 0.5mg capsules for male pattern hair loss. Suitability is determined following an online consultation form which is reviewed by their clinical team. This is a subscription service with treatments delivered directly to patients on a recurring basis. Aftercare is provided by their medical team through their online portal. They do not offer topical Dutasteride but provide topical Finasteride and Minoxidil formulas.
#9 The Hair Dr
The Hair Dr is a UK hair restoration clinic with surgical centres across the UK. Alongside their in person hair transplant services they now also offer prescription medication including both oral Dutasteride 0.5mg tablets and a topical Dutasteride spray for men with hair loss as part of a subscription service. To access their service you complete an online medical consultation form which one of their doctors reviews. They will then send your treatment by post if appropriate.
Dutasteride can be an effective option for certain patients with androgenetic hair loss particularly where Finasteride has not been sufficient. However, it isn’t appropriate for everyone and requires careful counselling before starting use. The number of online providers offering Dutasteride for hair loss in the UK is much smaller than for Finasteride. Those that do, mainly offer it in the form of oral tablets. A much smaller number, provide topical Dutasteride hair loss treatments. Whichever service you choose, make sure it is a medical provider that offers a range of treatment options. They should undertake a thorough medical assessment, prescribe the best and safest treatment for you and counsel you honestly about the risks. Also ensure that they provide monitoring and aftercare should there be a problem.
We understand that hair loss is a deeply personal journey and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. This is why we offer personalised hair loss treatments for men and women through our online skin clinic. Our doctors design custom topical hair loss treatments using actives like Dutasteride, Finasteride, Minoxidil, Spironolactone and Tretinoin where appropriate. Choose your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical provider for any medical concerns or questions you might have.
