Avodart is a prescription hair loss treatment containing dutasteride 0.5mg that helps slow male pattern hair loss and promote thicker, healthier hair growth.
- Once-daily tablet that lowers DHT, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.
- May be more effective than finasteride for treating hair loss in suitable men.
- Buy Avodart online after an online consultation to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for you.
Pricing
| 0.5 mg | |
| 30 Tablets | £34.99 |
| 60 Tablets | £55.99 |
| 90 Tablets | £74.99 |
| 120 Tablets | £94.99 |
| 150 Tablets | £109.99 |
| 180 Tablets | £129.99 |
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What is Avodart?
Avodart is a branded version of dutasteride 0.5mg, a prescription medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. GSK manufactures it, and it is available as a 0.5mg capsule taken once daily.
In the UK, Avodart is licensed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). But it can also be prescribed off-label to treat male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). You may be able to buy Avodart for hair loss if you have not achieved the results you were hoping for with finasteride.
How Does Avodart Work for Hair Loss?
Avodart works by reducing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels.
DHT is produced when the hormone testosterone is converted by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Men with androgenetic alopecia have higher levels of DHT, which causes hair follicles to gradually shrink, making hair progressively thinner, more brittle, and more likely to fall out.
The active ingredient in Avodart, dutasteride, blocks both types of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, reducing DHT levels. This helps protect hair follicles, slowing hair loss and allowing thicker, healthier hair growth. As hair growth is gradual, consistent treatment is needed.
Finasteride works similarly, but it doesn’t lower DHT as much as it only blocks one 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This explains why dutasteride appears to be more effective in treating androgenic alopecia.
Is Avodart safe to use?
Avodart is considered safe for most suitable patients when prescribed by a healthcare professional. Although it isn’t licensed in the UK for treating hair loss, prescribing it for male pattern baldness is a well-established off-label use supported by evidence.
However, the medicine isn’t suitable for everyone, so you’ll need to complete a consultation before you can buy Avodart online. At The Family Chemist, every consultation is reviewed by an independent UK prescriber, who will only supply Avodart if it’s safe and appropriate for you.
Even if appropriate, you may experience side effects, including mood changes. The MHRA has updated its safety advice to include a precautionary warning about mood changes. Our prescribers will discuss the benefits and risks of treatment, so you can make an informed treatment decision.
How to take Avodart 0.5mg tablets
Taking Avodart 0.5mg is straightforward. Follow the instructions below, as well as any advice given by your prescriber:
- Take one 0.5mg capsule once daily, ideally at the same time each day.
- Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not chew, crush or open the capsule.
- Can be taken with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next one as normal.
- Do not double dose to make up for a missed capsule.
- Take Avodart capsules consistently every day, as hair growth takes time.
Do Avodart tablets work for hair loss?
Yes, several studies show Avodart increases hair count and improves hair density in men with androgenetic alopecia.
In a 24-week clinical trial, men taking dutasteride 0.5mg experienced greater increases in hair count than those taking finasteride or a placebo. Another study found that the 0.5mg dose produced the biggest improvements in hair growth, outperforming finasteride and lower dutasteride doses.
These findings are supported by a systematic review, which concluded that dutasteride is generally more effective than finasteride, with a similar overall safety profile. However, results vary between individuals and can be impacted by factors such as age, genetics and how advanced hair loss is.
Taking Avodart consistently and continuing treatment long term gives you the best chance of achieving real results.
How long does Avodart take to work for hair loss?
Avodart gradually reduces DHT, so it needs some time to work. Most men notice improvements after around six months, although some see changes sooner and others need longer.
Hair loss may also temporarily appear to worsen during the first few weeks of treatment as older hairs are shed and the follicles transition into a new growth cycle to make way for healthier regrowth. If this happens, it’s important to continue taking Avodart every day.
Most clinical studies assess results after 24 weeks and improvements may continue for a year or longer, so it’s important not to give up. Avodart also works better when started in the earlier stages of hair loss, before significant damage to the follicles occurs.
Who can use Avodart for hair loss?
Avodart may be suitable for men with male pattern hair loss, particularly if you:
- Are an adult man with male pattern baldness
- Have mild to moderate hair loss, or want to prevent further thinning
- Have not achieved results with finasteride
- Are looking for a once-daily oral treatment
- Have no medical conditions or medications that make treatment unsuitable
If you’re interested in starting treatment, complete our online consultation to find out whether Avodart is appropriate for you.
Oral Avodart side effects
Although not everyone experiences side effects, Avodart can cause:
- Reduced sex drive (loss of libido)
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Problems with ejaculation, including reduced semen volume
- Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynaecomastia)
- Allergic reactions, including rash, itching or swelling (rare)
- Mood changes, including low mood or depression, which the MHRA has recently added as a precautionary warning for dutasteride
Sexual side effects are the most common, but they are typically mild and reversible after stopping treatment. Some people have reported persistent symptoms after discontinuing Avodart, referred to as Post-Dutasteride Syndrome. This is rare, but speak to your prescriber if you have any concerns.
There has also been a small increase in the incidence of high-grade prostate cancer in clinical trials of dutasteride, although the overall importance of this remains uncertain.
If you experience any unexpected side effects or are worried about your treatment, speak to your prescriber. You can also report side effects through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
Who cannot use Avodart 0.5mg?
You should not take Avodart if you:
- Are a woman, child or adolescent
- Are allergic to dutasteride, other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or any ingredients
- Are allergic to peanuts or soya
- Have severe liver disease (hepatic impairment)
For a full list of contradictions, see the Summary of Product Characteristics for Avodart.
Your prescriber will also ask about your medical history, current medications and any other hair loss treatments you’ve used to ensure Avodart is safe and suitable.
You should tell your prescriber if you:
- Have a history of depression or other mental illness
- Have a partner who is pregnant, or may become pregnant, as small amounts of dutasteride can be present in semen
- Take medicines that can interact with dutasteride, including CYP3A4 inhibitors like ketoconazole, ritonavir or verapamil.
- Use or have previously used other hair loss treatments, including finasteride or minoxidil.
- Have ever had prostate problems, prostate cancer or liver disease.
What happens when you stop using Avodart?
If you stop Avodart, DHT will return to its previous level and your hair will start to thin again.
Because dutasteride has a long half-life of around 3 to 5 weeks, this happens slowly, so you won’t lose results immediately. But over time, any benefits you’ve gained from treatment will fade, and your hair loss will usually continue to progress.
You shouldn’t stop taking Avodart without speaking to your prescriber, who can advise whether another medication or a gradual change in your treatment plan may be more suitable.
What if Avodart is not working?
Avodart can take six months to start working and up to a year to deliver its full benefits, so it’s important to give treatment enough time before deciding it’s not working.
If you aren’t seeing the results you were hoping for, it may be because:
- Your hair loss is more advanced
- The treatment hasn’t been taken consistently
- There is another underlying cause of hair loss
In some cases, combining Avodart with another treatment, such as topical or oral minoxidil, may improve outcomes. In others, it may be worth discussing another hair loss treatment altogether.
If you’re worried that Avodart isn’t working, The Family Chemist’s prescribing team can review your progress and discuss whether continuing, changing or combining therapies may be right for you.
Avoid stopping treatment without speaking to your prescriber first, as changing treatment too early may prevent you from seeing the full benefit.
Alternatives to Avodart tablets
If you’re not suitable for Avodart, or you’d like to learn about other treatment options, below are alternatives for treating male pattern baldness:
- Generic Dutasteride: Generic dutasteride contains the same active ingredient as Avodart and works in the same way. The main difference is that it’s sold under its generic name rather than the Avodart brand.
- Finasteride: Finasteride is another 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and often the first treatment recommended for androgenic alopecia, along with minoxidil. It works similarly to Avodart but blocks less DHT, meaning some men find it less effective.
- Propecia: Propecia is the branded version of finasteride 1mg. It contains the same active ingredient and is as effective, although generic versions are often cheaper.
- Regaine: Regaine is a topical treatment applied directly to the scalp. It contains minoxidil, which is thought to help hair loss by increasing blood flow to the follicles to support hair growth, and can be used alone or together with finasteride or Avodart.
- Minoxidil: Generic topical minoxidil uses the same active ingredient as Regaine but is often more affordable. While not licensed for hair loss, minoxidil also comes in 2.5mg tablets and can be prescribed off-label for some patients.
- Loniten: Loniten is another tablet containing 2.5mg minoxidil. Like generic minoxidil tablets and topical formulations, you can take it with finasteride or dutasteride to improve results.
If you’re unsure whether Avodart or another hair loss treatment is right for you, our prescribers can assess your suitability and recommend the best option.
FAQs
Is Avodart the same as dutasteride?
Yes, Avodart is the branded version of dutasteride 0.5mg. It contains the same medicine, works in the same way, and is equally as effective in treating male pattern baldness.
Is Avodart stronger than finasteride?
Yes, Avodart blocks both types of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, whereas finasteride only blocks one. This means Avodart blocks more DHT and is generally more effective at improving hair growth.
Can I use Avodart and minoxidil together?
Yes, you can use Avodart and topical or oral minoxidil together. The two work in different ways, so combining them is safe, and many people find that doing so improves their results.
Is Avodart safe for long-term use?
Yes, Avodart is considered safe for long-term use and is generally prescribed as a long-term treatment. Regular check-ins with your prescriber can help ensure it remains appropriate for you.
Does Avodart affect fertility?
Avodart can affect sperm count and semen quality, so may temporarily impact fertility, but this typically reverses after stopping treatment. If you have concerns about your fertility, talk to your prescriber.
Will Avodart affect a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test?
Yes. Avodart can lower PSA levels by around 50%, which may affect how your results are interpreted. Always tell your doctor that you’re taking dutasteride before having a PSA test.
What is Post-Dutasteride Syndrome?
Post-Dutasteride Syndrome refers to sexual, physical, or psychological side effects of Avodart some people report after stopping treatment. It is rare, but talk to your prescriber if you’re worried.
Can Avodart cause depression?
Although not everyone is affected, mood changes, including depression, have been added as a precautionary warning for Avodart. If you notice any changes in your mood, contact your prescriber.
More treatments available
References
- A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia (2014) Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, PubMed [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone (2023) StatPearls, National Library of Medicine [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Avodart 0.5mg soft capsules — Summary of Product Characteristics (2024) Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC) [accessed 5th August 2026]
- The efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2019) Clinical Interventions in Aging, PubMed [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Finasteride and dutasteride: updated safety warnings for psychiatric side effects and sexual dysfunction (2026) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Drug Safety Update [accessed 5th August 2026]
- A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo and Active Controlled Phase II Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Novel Dutasteride Topical Solution (0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.05% w/v) in Male Subjects With Androgenetic Alopecia (2025) Cureus, PMC [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Hair loss (2026) NHS [accessed 5th August 2026]
- A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss (2020) Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, PubMed [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Post-finasteride syndrome: An emerging clinical problem (2020) Neurobiology of Stress, PMC [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Combined treatment with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia: a randomized and comparative study in Chinese patients (2015) Dermatologic Therapy, Wiley Online Library [accessed 5th August 2026]
- Effect of Dutasteride on the Risk of Prostate Cancer (2010) New England Journal of Medicine [accessed 5th August 2026]
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Our clinicians review your information and may follow up if needed.
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