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Dutasteride is a once-daily soft capsule. Its use for hair loss is off-label — the 0.5 mg capsule is an authorised medicine, but not for hair loss specifically, so this use has not been separately assessed and approved by EU regulators for that purpose.

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How to use

Two rules hold for as long as you are taking it — the daily capsule, and what must not be added alongside it.

Take 0.5 mg once daily as prescribed

Swallow the soft capsule whole, with or without food. It is not chewed or opened. If a dose is missed, it can be taken when remembered unless the next dose is near — two capsules are not taken together.

Avoid duplicate DHT blockers

Finasteride or another dutasteride product is not added without medical review.

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Dose schedule

Daily dose 0.5 mg dutasteride — one soft capsule, swallowed whole. Use for hair loss is off-label.
The capsule itself does not change; what changes is what the doctor is looking at as the months pass.
1

Months 0–3

One capsule daily. Early changes may be subtle, and temporary shedding does not by itself show whether treatment will help.
2

Months 3–6 and beyond

Photographs, tolerance, sexual or mood effects, and whether continued off-label treatment remains appropriate are reviewed together. The dose is not increased to try to speed results.

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What has been reported

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Contact your doctor if

  • A breast lump or nipple discharge, severe low mood, or sexual effects that are concerning appear
  • A capsule leaks or is handled by someone who is pregnant or could become pregnant
  • Fertility treatment, blood donation, or a prostate-specific antigen test is being planned

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Storage

Store below the temperature stated on the pack (commonly 30°C), in the original package, protected from moisture. Leaking capsules are kept away from women, children and adolescents; exposed skin is washed with soap and water.

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What to expect

Hair treatment is gradual. Early shedding can occur, and photographs taken in the same light are more useful than day-to-day checking. The doctor normally reviews tolerance and progress after several months, and treatment continues only while the balance of benefit and risk remains appropriate.

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Common questions

Early changes may be subtle, and temporary shedding does not by itself show whether treatment will help. The doctor reviews photographs, tolerance and progress at months 3 to 6 before assessing whether continued off-label treatment remains appropriate.
No. Finasteride or another dutasteride product is not added without medical review. Both are DHT blockers and taking them together does not provide additional benefit but increases the risk of side effects.
Leaking capsules are kept away from women, children and adolescents. Exposed skin is washed with soap and water. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and it carries a risk of harm to a male fetus.
Changes in semen parameters can occur. Fertility plans are worth discussing with your doctor before and during treatment, as the medicine can affect sperm production.
Reduced libido, erection or ejaculation changes can occur. Breast tenderness or enlargement and mood changes have been reported. Facial swelling, widespread rash or breathing difficulty requires urgent care. Contact your doctor if a breast lump or nipple discharge appears, or if sexual effects are concerning.

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How Hi-Doctor handles it

A questionnaire covering hair-loss pattern and history, scalp condition, allergies and medical history is reviewed by an EU-licensed doctor — see how eligibility works. Hair growth is available as a one-off consultation or an ongoing plan; the cost is set out on pricing. See safety for how eligibility checks run. Related guides include the oral dutasteride + minoxidil guide for the combination approach, and the minoxidil treatment guide.

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Start a consultation

Hair-growth consultation

Answer the hair-growth questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it. They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose — and declining is a normal outcome. See what it costs and how the review works.
This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription. Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor after reviewing your consultation.