Finasteride (Proscalpin) is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of hair loss. Also known by the brand name Propecia®, finasteride belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. It works by preventing testosterone from breaking down into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes male pattern baldness. You can get this medication with a prescription from your primary care physician (PCP).

Available in tablet form, finasteride is designed for long-term use. You may not see any significant results until you’ve been taking the product continuously for a few months. It may also help to take the tablet at the same time each day. Men who have used finasteride to treat hair loss have reported an increase in the number of hairs, as well as improvement in hair quality. Keep in mind that finasteride only works if you keep taking it. If you stop using finasteride, the hair you’ve regrown will fall out within a year.