Can I get it?
Not for this use. Dutasteride 0.5mg has no EU authorisation for it, so it cannot be prescribed or dispensed here for that purpose.
Why buying it online is riskyDutasteride 0.5mgPrescription only
Online medical consultation for Dutasteride 0.5mg.
An EU-licensed doctor reviews your case and, if eligible, issues an electronic prescription valid at any EU pharmacy under Directive 2011/24/EU.
- One capsule a day
- Dual 5-α-reductase blockade (types I and II)
- An option when finasteride isn't enough
Start consultationStart consultation · €15/month
Full refund if a review is not approved · Medication, if prescribed, is dispensed and paid for separately at a pharmacy.
IN PLAIN TERMS
What Dutasteride 0.5mg is, and how to get treatment
Dutasteride is a daily capsule that lowers DHT, the hormone involved in male pattern hair loss, and it blocks both forms of the enzyme that makes it. In the EU it is authorised only for an enlarged prostate, not for hair loss: using it for hair loss in Europe is off-label, meaning a doctor prescribes it outside the use the medicine was licensed for. It has been approved specifically for male pattern hair loss in South Korea and Japan, but no European regulator has assessed it for that purpose. Its known side effects, measured in prostate studies in older men, include reduced erections in about 6 in 100 men in the first year, lower sex drive in about 4 in 100, and breast tenderness or swelling in about 1 in 100, and the EU product information notes these sexual effects can persist after stopping.
Dutasteride 0.5mg has no EU marketing authorisation for this use. It may be an approved medicine for something else, or approved in another country — but not something a doctor here can prescribe for this.
What can I take instead?
Finasteride is approved in the EU, has published peer-reviewed trial results, and can be prescribed today if a doctor decides it suits you.
Read about FinasterideWhat do the studies show?
Every trial behind Dutasteride 0.5mg is listed below with its registry number, how many people took part, and whether the results are peer-reviewed or a company announcement.
Jump to the studiesVERIFIED EVIDENCE
Dutasteride 0.5mg: evidence and regulatory guide.
WHAT IT IS
How it works
It blocks both forms of the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT, the hormone linked to male pattern hair loss and to prostate enlargement.
- 5-alpha-reductase type I
- 5-alpha-reductase type II
DEVELOPMENT STAGE
Not marketed in the EU
Trial register2 registered trials
Every NCT identifier links to its ClinicalTrials.gov record. A readout is not the same as peer-reviewed publication.
| TRIAL / NCT | POPULATION | PARTICIPANTS | STATUS | READOUT / COMPLETION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GSK ARI114264 - dutasteride 0.02/0.1/0.5 mg vs finasteride 1 mg vs placeboNCT01231607 | Men aged 20-50 with androgenetic alopecia; sites in Argentina, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Taiwan and Thailand | 917 | Read out | 2014-03-01 |
| Dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily for 6 months in male pattern hair loss (phase III, Republic of Korea)NCT00441116 | Men aged 18-49 with male pattern hair loss (Norwood-Hamilton IIIv, IV, V) | 153 | Read out | 2010-08-01 |
What the studies reported
Results are grouped by source and evidence grade so journal data and manufacturer announcements cannot be confused.
Peer-reviewed
Gubelin Harcha W, Barboza Martinez J, Tsai TF, et al. 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. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70(3):489-498.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.049 (PMID 24411083)| DOSE OR GROUP | MEAN WEIGHT CHANGE | WEEKS |
|---|---|---|
| dutasteride 0.5 mg daily | +89.6 hairs (least-squares mean change from baseline in target-area hair count within a 2.54 cm vertex circle) | 24 |
| dutasteride 0.1 mg daily | +63.0 hairs (same measure) | 24 |
| dutasteride 0.02 mg daily | +17.1 hairs (same measure) | 24 |
| finasteride 1 mg daily (active comparator arm) | +56.5 hairs (same measure) | 24 |
| placebo | -4.9 hairs (same measure) | 24 |
This 24-week study was run entirely outside the EU and was never submitted to support an EU marketing authorisation for hair loss, so no EU regulator has assessed dutasteride for this indication and no long-term hair-loss outcome data exist.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-07-27
- AEMPS CIMA - Dutasterida 0,5 mg capsulas blandas EFG, ficha tecnica (Spain, registration 80595) - indication is benign prostatic hyperplasia only
- ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT01231607 (dutasteride vs placebo and finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia, posted results)
- Gubelin Harcha et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2014 (PMID 24411083)
- Eun et al., J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;63(2):252-258 (PMID 20605255)
- Ding Y, Wang C, Bi L, et al. Dutasteride for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: an updated review. Dermatology. 2024;240(5-6):833-843 (PMID 39278205) - states that only South Korea and Japan have approved dutasteride for male AGA
- EMA - Article 31 referral: finasteride- and dutasteride-containing medicinal products
- ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT01231607
- ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT00441116
NAMED SAFETY SIGNALS
What has been reported with Dutasteride 0.5mg.
Impotence
Reported in 6.0% of men in year 1 (n=2,167) and 1.7% in year 2 (n=1,744) of the placebo-controlled phase III programme. These figures come from prostate trials in older men taking dutasteride 0.5 mg, not from hair-loss trials.
Decreased libido
Reported in 3.7% of men in year 1 and 0.6% in year 2 of the same prostate trials.
Ejaculation disorders, including reduced semen volume
Reported in 1.8% of men in year 1 and 0.5% in year 2 of the same prostate trials.
Breast disorders (tenderness and enlargement)
Reported in 1.3% of men in year 1 and 1.3% in year 2 of the same prostate trials.
Sexual effects that persist after stopping
The EU product information states that these sexual adverse events are associated with dutasteride treatment, that they may persist after treatment is stopped, and that the role of dutasteride in that persistence is not known.
Depression and mood changes
Depression is listed with frequency not known. Following the EU Article 31 review concluded in 2025, information about the mood changes seen with finasteride is being added to dutasteride product information as a precaution, because dutasteride works in the same way; a direct link between dutasteride and suicidal ideation was not established.
Body hair loss and hypertrichosis
Alopecia (mainly loss of body hair) and hypertrichosis are listed as uncommon in the EU product information.
€15/month (billed €45 every 90 days)Start a medical consultation
Form0.5 mg oral capsule
FrequencyOnce a day
ResultsAssessed at months 3–6
What you pay Hi-Doctor€15/month (billed €45 every 90 days)
IN 60 SECONDS
Dutasteride 0.5mg at a glance
- A dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, taken as a 0.5 mg soft capsule by mouth.
- Authorised in the EU for an enlarged prostate; hair-loss use is off-label.
- One 0.5 mg capsule swallowed whole once a day, with or without food.
- Sexual side effects are common and may continue after you stop the capsules.
- Hi-Doctor consultation fee; the medicine is paid separately at a pharmacy
About
What is Dutasteride 0.5mg?
Also sold as Avodart.
Active ingredient: Dutasteride · Dosages: 0.5 mg / day
Dutasteride inhibits both isoforms of 5-alpha-reductase (I and II), while finasteride only acts on type II. The DHT blockade is more complete, which can translate into a better response in some patients.
It's typically considered when finasteride hasn't given a sufficient response after 6–12 months, or when the pattern of loss is particularly aggressive. It's off-label for alopecia in some countries, so the doctor weighs it case by case.
HOW IT WORKS
What Dutasteride 0.5mg does in your body
By inhibiting both 5-alpha-reductase isoforms, dutasteride lowers scalp DHT more completely than finasteride — slowing follicle miniaturisation where a single-isoform block wasn't enough.
DHT shrinks scalp hair follicles
Testosterone is turned into a stronger hormone, dihydrotestosterone or DHT, by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. In men with male pattern hair loss, the balding scalp carries miniaturised follicles and higher amounts of DHT, so each follicle grows a thinner, shorter hair.
Dutasteride blocks both enzyme types
Dutasteride inhibits both the type 1 and the type 2 forms of 5-alpha-reductase. Finasteride inhibits only the type 2 form. Blocking both routes means less testosterone is converted overall, which is why blood DHT falls further on dutasteride than on a type 2 blocker alone.
Less DHT reaches the follicle
With less DHT circulating, the shrinking process slows and some follicles can go back to producing thicker hair. In men treated for an enlarged prostate, which is the EU-authorised use, median blood DHT fell by 94 percent at one year. Any scalp effect builds over months.
How it helps
How it protects your hair.
More complete DHT block
Acts on both enzyme isoforms, not just one.
A step-up option
Considered after 6–12 months of insufficient response to finasteride.
Case-by-case decision
Off-label for alopecia in some countries — the doctor weighs benefits and risks with you.
What to expect
A steady, monitored routine.
One 0.5 mg capsule daily, assessed over months. Switching from finasteride is done under medical supervision with a quarterly follow-up plan.
- Months 1–3 · Daily 0.5 mg; changes build silently
- Months 3–6 · Shedding stabilises
- Months 6–12 · Visible improvement is assessed
- Ongoing · Quarterly follow-up reviews
Doses your doctor can prescribe
- Standard dose0.5 mg / day
Your schedule is personal
These are typical steps only. Your doctor adjusts the plan to how you respond and tolerate it — and you can message them at any point.
DAY TO DAY
Taking Dutasteride 0.5mg day to day
Get a prescriber's decision first
Dutasteride is prescription-only everywhere in the EU. Because using it for hair loss is off-label here, a doctor has to weigh the benefits and risks with you, and can decide it is not appropriate.
Swallow one capsule whole daily
The dose is one 0.5 mg soft capsule by mouth once a day. Swallow it whole. Do not chew it or open it, because contact with the contents can irritate the mouth and throat.
Take it with or without food
Food does not change how much dutasteride your body absorbs, so choose a time you will remember and keep to it. Blood levels reach about 90 percent of steady state after three months.
Keep capsules away from others
Dutasteride passes through skin. Women who are or could become pregnant, children and adolescents must not handle leaking capsules. If contact happens, wash the area straight away with soap and water.
Use a condom if needed
Small amounts of dutasteride reach semen. If your partner is pregnant or might become pregnant, the label advises using a condom, because the medicine can affect how a male foetus develops.
Do not donate blood
Do not give blood until at least six months have passed since your last dose. The wait exists so that dutasteride in donated blood cannot reach a pregnant woman receiving a transfusion.
Flag it before a PSA test
Dutasteride roughly halves the PSA blood test used to look for prostate cancer, within three to six months. Tell any doctor who orders a PSA that you take it, so the result is read correctly.
Give it several months
For the licensed prostate use the label says a response can take up to six months. In the hair-loss trial the main result was measured at week 24, so judge it slowly and with your prescriber.
Safety first
Safety, in full.
Dutasteride 0.5mg is an effective medicine — and like any medicine it carries risks. Your doctor screens for all of this before prescribing. Here's the honest picture, not just reassurance.
Side effects, by how often they happen
Stop and get urgent medical help if
seek medical help immediately
these need urgent attention, whatever the frequency
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Sudden widespread rash, hives or intense itching after a dose
- A new breast lump, breast pain, or discharge from a nipple
- Breathlessness, unusual tiredness, or swelling of the ankles and legs
- Thoughts of harming yourself, or a low mood that will not lift
- Pain and swelling in a testicle that does not settle
Most people who get side effects get these
common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
up to 1 in 10 men
- Trouble getting or keeping an erection, reported by 6.0 percent in year one
- Lower sex drive, reported by 3.7 percent in year one
- Difficulty ejaculating, including less semen, reported by 1.8 percent in year one
- Breast enlargement or tenderness, reported by 1.3 percent in both years
- Sexual side effects that may continue after you stop the medicine
- Dizziness, mainly when dutasteride is taken together with tamsulosin
Less common, or frequency not known
uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100)
fewer than 1 in 100 men
- Loss of body hair, or unwanted extra hair growth elsewhere
- Heart failure, reported mainly when dutasteride is combined with tamsulosin
- Depression and low mood, reported after marketing, frequency not known
- Pain and swelling in the testicles, frequency not known
- Allergic reactions with rash, itching, hives or swelling, frequency not known
- Reduced sperm count, semen volume and sperm motility in healthy men
- Male breast cancer, reported rarely in trials and after marketing
Adult men with androgenetic alopecia, often after an inadequate finasteride response, or for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- 0.5 mg orally once a day, with or without food.
- Half-life is long (3–5 weeks): plasma levels persist after stopping, side effects can take time to resolve.
- Stopping treatment reverses hair-loss gains over 6–12 months.
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE IT, AND WHO NEEDS EXTRA CARE
- You are a woman, a child or an adolescent
- You are pregnant, could become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- You have ever reacted badly to dutasteride or another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor such as finasteride
- You are allergic to soya or peanut, because the capsule contains lecithin that may contain soya oil
- You have severe liver impairment
- You plan to donate blood within the next six months
- You and your partner are trying to conceive, since dutasteride can reduce sperm count and motility
- You have not had the prostate examination and PSA test the label requires before starting
- You cannot swallow a capsule whole, because it must never be chewed or opened
When to seek urgent care
For severe, sudden or unexpected symptoms, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. Then let your doctor know through your account chat.
Medicines and substances that interact
| MEDICINE OR SUBSTANCE | WHAT CAN HAPPEN | WHAT THE DOCTOR DOES |
|---|---|---|
| Strong CYP3A4 blockers (ritonavir, indinavir, nefazodone, itraconazole, oral ketoconazole) | Can raise dutasteride blood levels, and the already long half-life may be prolonged further. | Prescriber may reduce how often you take dutasteride if side effects appear. |
| Verapamil or diltiazem (heart and blood-pressure medicines) | Dutasteride levels averaged 1.6 to 1.8 times higher in patients also taking these. | Prescriber notes the higher exposure and reviews you if side effects appear. |
| Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin | The combination raised ejaculation problems and dizziness, and cardiac failure was marginally higher. | Prescriber combines them only after a careful benefit and risk assessment. |
| PSA blood test for prostate cancer | Dutasteride lowers mean PSA by about 50 percent, so older results no longer compare. | Prescriber sets a new PSA baseline at six months and tracks changes from it. |
| Warfarin and digoxin | Dutasteride had no effect on how the body handles either medicine in studies. | No dose change needed, though the prescriber still reviews your full medicine list. |
| Colestyramine (cholesterol-lowering powder) | 12 g taken one hour after a dutasteride dose did not change its levels. | No change to dose or timing is needed on the basis of this study. |
Have a doctor review your caseThis is exactly what the doctor screens for before prescribing anything.
Read the full Dutasteride 0.5mg safety summaryEVIDENCE
What the clinical trials found
The main head-to-head evidence in hair loss is a 917-man, 24-week randomised trial of dutasteride against finasteride 1 mg and placebo, run in an indication dutasteride is not authorised for in the EU.
917 men with male pattern hair loss · 24 weeks
Least-squares mean inside a 2.54 cm circle at the crown, in a trial of an off-label use.
Source: NCT01231607: dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia, posted results917 men with male pattern hair loss · 24 weeks
Active comparator arm of the same trial. The placebo arm changed by -4.9 hairs.
Source: NCT01231607: dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia, posted results917 men with male pattern hair loss · 24 weeks
Published significance for the 2.54 cm hair count. Adverse events were similar across arms.
Source: Gubelin Harcha W et al. A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in male androgenetic alopeciaMen treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia · 1 year
Measured in the EU-authorised use. It was 93 percent at two years.
Source: Avodart 0.5 mg soft capsules (dutasteride): Summary of Product Characteristics917 men with male pattern hair loss · 24 weeks
Total hair width in the same circle. Finasteride 1 mg gained 4.0 mm and placebo lost 0.9 mm.
Source: NCT01231607: dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia, posted resultsThese hair figures come from a 24-week trial in male pattern hair loss, which is not the use dutasteride is authorised for in the EU, so a prescriber weighing them is weighing off-label evidence. They are averages across hundreds of men, so some men did far better than the numbers suggest and others saw no change at all. The trial looked at the crown over six months, so it says little about a receding hairline or about what happens after several years.
ALTERNATIVES
Dutasteride, finasteride and minoxidil compared
| MEDICINE | HOW IT IS TAKEN | HOW OFTEN | TYPICAL DOSE RANGE | EU-AUTHORISED INDICATION | KEY EVIDENCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutasteride | Oral capsule | Once daily | 0.5 mg | EU authorisation is for benign prostatic hyperplasia, so hair-loss use is off-label | 24-week trial: +89.6 hairs at the crown versus -4.9 on placebo |
| Finasteride | Oral tablet | Once daily | 1 mg | Authorised in the EU for male pattern hair loss in men | 5-year trial: +88 hairs at two years versus -50 on placebo |
| Minoxidil | Topical solution or foam | Twice daily | 1 ml of 5% solution, maximum 2 ml daily | Authorised in the EU for androgenetic alopecia in men | Label states two months or more of twice-daily use before regrowth |
Not sure which one fits your case? The doctor reviews your history and tells you.
Start consultation · €15/monthACCESS AND COST
Getting Dutasteride 0.5mg, and what it costs
Dutasteride is a prescription-only medicine everywhere in the EU, and everywhere in the EU it is authorised for an enlarged prostate rather than for hair loss. Because hair-loss use is off-label, it is not reimbursed for that purpose, so a hair-loss course is paid for privately. The supply classification was read off the Spanish, German and French registers; the other seven rows apply the EU-wide classification, and the register linked on each row is the current authority for that country.
What you pay Hi-Doctor
€15/month (billed €45 every 90 days)
Answer a few questions and a licensed EU doctor reviews your case in less than 2 hours on average. Refunded in full if it's not right for you.
What the pharmacy charges
Hi-Doctor does not sell, stock or dispense medicines and does not set their price. The medicine is paid for separately at the pharmacy, and the amount depends on the country, the pack size, whether a generic is available and whether your health system covers it. The official national database linked in the table publishes the current authorised price.
| COUNTRY | HOW IT IS SUPPLIED | COVERED BY THE HEALTH SYSTEM? | OFFICIAL SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | AEMPS CIMA |
Show the other countries
| Germany | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | PharmNet.Bund AMIce |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | Prescription-only | Reimbursed for prostate use only, not alopecia | Base de données publique des médicaments |
| Italy | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | AIFA Medicinali |
| Netherlands | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | CBG-MEB Geneesmiddeleninformatiebank |
| Portugal | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | INFARMED Infomed |
| Belgium | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | FAGG-AFMPS medicines database |
| Ireland | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | HPRA Find a Medicine |
| Austria | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | BASG Medikamente Info Austria |
| Poland | Prescription-only | Not reimbursed for androgenetic alopecia | Rejestr Produktów Leczniczych |
PRICING
You only pay if treatment is approved.
€25/month for weight loss or €15/month (billed €45 every 90 days) for hair growth. €35 one-off is available for sexual health.
Hair growth
ONGOING PLAN
€15/month
Billed €45 every 90 days · cancel anytime
For ongoing treatment and doctor-reviewed renewals.
Lowest monthly price we offer
Start consultation
Full refund if a review is not approved
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- First consultation included
- Renewals reviewed by your doctor
- Ongoing care with your doctor
- Cancel anytime
Full refund if a review is not approved
If a review is not approved, we refund that period's €45 fee and cancel the plan.
Note: The medication, if the doctor prescribes it, is paid separately at the pharmacy at the price it sets. Hi-Doctor does not sell medications.
HOW THE DOCTOR DECIDES
A licensed doctor reviews your case, not an algorithm
An EU-licensed doctor reads your questionnaire and answers in less than 2 hours on average.
If the doctor decides it is not safe to prescribe, the consultation fee is refunded in full.
Follow-up happens in the private chat inside your account, under GDPR. No WhatsApp, no SMS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions about Dutasteride 0.5mg.
OTHER HAIR GROWTH TREATMENTS
Explore related treatments.
SOURCES
Where this information comes from
- 01
Avodart 0.5 mg soft capsules (dutasteride): Summary of Product Characteristics — electronic medicines compendium (emc), GlaxoSmithKline UK, 2024
- 02
Avodart 0.5 mg soft capsules: Package Leaflet, Information for the patient — electronic medicines compendium (emc), GlaxoSmithKline UK, 2024
- 03
Dutasteride capsules: full FDA prescribing information (blood donation, half-life, PSA) — DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine, 2024
- 04
NCT01231607: dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in men with androgenetic alopecia, posted results — ClinicalTrials.gov, US National Library of Medicine, 2014
- 05
Gubelin Harcha W et al. A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in male androgenetic alopecia — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (via PubMed), 2014
- 06
Olsen EA et al. The importance of dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss — Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (via PubMed), 2006
- 07
Article 31 referral: finasteride and dutasteride containing medicinal products, measures to minimise the risk of suicidal thoughts — European Medicines Agency, 2025
- 08
List of nationally authorised medicinal products, active substances dutasteride and dutasteride/tamsulosin (PSUSA/00010506/201711) — European Medicines Agency, 2018
- 09
Report on the Deliberation Results, Zagallo Capsules 0.1 mg and 0.5 mg (dutasteride), indication androgenetic alopecia in men — Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Japan (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare), 2015
- 10
Long-term effectiveness and safety of dutasteride versus finasteride in male androgenetic alopecia in South Korea: a multicentre chart review — Annals of Dermatology, 2023
- 11
AEMPS CIMA: dutasterida 0,5 mg cápsulas blandas, authorised and marketed products, prescription status — Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS), 2026
- 12
Base de données publique des médicaments: dutasteride 0,5 mg capsule molle, reimbursement restricted to benign prostatic hyperplasia — ANSM / Ministère de la Santé, France, 2026
- 13
Dutasterid, human medicines with a currently valid German authorisation: 46 entries, Avodart 0,5 mg soft capsules and its generics, all prescription-only — BfArM AMIce, public part, via PharmNet.Bund, Germany, 2026
- 14
Propecia 1 mg film-coated tablets (finasteride): Summary of Product Characteristics — electronic medicines compendium (emc), Organon, 2025
- 15
Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v (minoxidil): Summary of Product Characteristics — electronic medicines compendium (emc), Johnson & Johnson, 2024
Reviewed by Hi-Doctor's medical team · Last reviewed 2026-07-27 · Next review due 2027-07-27
This page is educational information about a medicine, not a recommendation to take it and not a substitute for a medical consultation. Only a licensed doctor who has reviewed your history can decide whether a treatment is appropriate for you.
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See if Dutasteride 0.5mg is appropriate for you.
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