Hair loss drug finasteride ‘biggest mistake of my life’ | Global News Avenue

The BBC has discovered that some online websites are prescribing hair loss drugs to men that may have potential side effects without consistent safety checks.

Finasteride side effects can include suicidal thoughts and impotence, but some big-name companies will mail the drug without ever meeting or chatting with customers.

Kyle, 26, from Wakefield, regretted buying the drugs online after filling in a ‘tick box’ form.

He says his life was turned upside down by a decision that was too hasty.

Kyle started taking finasteride last spring after a friend who took it recommended it to him.

He said he did some research beforehand, but buying online was easy.

“I just typed it into Google and it came up with all these online pharmacies,” Kyle said.

“It’s everywhere. It’s easy to get to.”

The prescription was delivered to his doorstep within a week of ordering it.

“I didn’t consult with a doctor. I didn’t have a Zoom meeting. I didn’t have to send them any pictures or anything like that to really make sure that I actually had male pattern baldness.

“I started it and yeah – it was the biggest mistake of my life.”

Kyle said he has been having problems with his sexual, mental and physical health since taking the drug – problems he had never experienced before and which have continued since he stopped taking the drug.

“Life felt gray. It was like emasculating my emotions,” Kyle said.

“It took everything away from me – all my personality and everything. I stopped going out with my friends, stopped playing football and started having all these problems.”

Finasteride is one of the most common hair loss drugs, taken by tens of thousands of men in the UK. It is only available by private prescription.

It works by preventing testosterone from converting into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can prevent hair growth.

Kyle took it for about six weeks but stopped after developing problems, including suicidal thoughts.

In late April 2024, just weeks after Kyle got his prescription, UK regulators took emergency action against finasteride, saying Packaging must contain a special safety warning card Warning: There is a small risk of serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction.

After being contacted by others like Kyle Your voice, your BBC Newswe asked a male colleague to buy finasteride from three leading online providers to see what tests are involved now.

Online prescriber “Hims” mentioned side effects.

Superdrug also offers the option to chat with a doctor – for an additional fee.

Only Boots Pharmacy requires photos of hair loss.

When some packages arrived, none contained the new patient alert cards that drug manufacturers were required to add.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said manufacturers have up to a year to comply, but it may take longer.

Boots, Hims and Superdrug said online finasteride customers were asked to confirm they had read and understood the possible risks.

They say users can read the long patient information leaflet already included with the medicine to learn about side effects before the alert card is “rolled out” and placed in the packaging.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says online prescriptions can be very useful for many patients, especially when they are too embarrassed to go to the doctor. But inspections must be robust.

James Davies, director of the RPS in England, told BBC News: “It is extremely important that these thorough checks are carried out, whether online or face-to-face.

“This means taking a complete medical history and having the opportunity to understand the medications that may be prescribed, their side effects, risks and benefits.”

He said it might be useful to share photos of hair loss with the prescriber and have a video call to discuss any concerns.

British Society for Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Believes patients should not just fill out an online form to get their medication.

Greg Williams, a hair transplant surgeon and BAHRS vice president, says that while finasteride is an excellent treatment for many people, minor cases of serious side effects must be interpreted and closely monitored. possibility.

“Some patients have risk factors that may make finasteride a risky prescription. I’m not saying it can’t be prescribed, but patients need to be properly counseled.”

European medicines regulator is conducting its own safety review of finasteride May include ban.

Nearly a year since he first ordered the drug, Kyle said he deeply regrets taking finasteride.

“It’s just a little pill. You take it without really thinking about what it’s going to do to you,” he said.

“Every day I would scold myself and say ‘your life is perfect, you don’t have to take risks with your hair’.

“I’m very conceited…but when you’re insecure, you do stupid things.

“Had I known what it could do, I never would have taken it.”