Online Hair Loss Medication: A Risky Proposition
Michelle Roberts, Nat Wright, and Adam Eley, BBC News
Several online platforms have been found prescribing men a hair-loss medication with potentially hazardous side effects, bypassing necessary safety checks, according to BBC investigations. Finasteride, a drug associated with risks like suicidal thoughts and impotence, is often delivered via mail from major brands without requiring an in-person consultation.
Kyle, a 26-year-old from Wakefield, purchased the pills online through a simplistic ‘tick-box’ form. "I made an impulsive decision that upended my life," Kyle lamented.
Prompted by a friend’s recommendation last spring, Kyle began taking finasteride after doing minimal research. "I just googled it, and these online pharmacies popped up everywhere. It was as easy as pie," Kyle recounted. He had the prescription pills at his doorstep within a week, without any professional medical consultation. "No doctor checked my condition; it was like jumping in blind."
Consequently, Kyle suffered from unprecedented sexual, mental, and physical health issues. These problems persisted even after he ceased taking the medication. "Life feels colorless; it stripped away my emotions and personality," he shared, noting his withdrawal from social activities and sports.
Finasteride, widely used among men in the UK for hair loss, works by preventing testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that stunts hair growth. Despite its benefits, UK regulators warned about possible severe side effects, demanding manufacturers include a safety alert card in packaging.
The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency notes manufacturers have up to a year for compliance. Meanwhile, online providers Hims, Superdrug, and Boots claim they warn customers of risks, though the experience suggests safety checks remain inconsistent.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery emphasize thorough check-ups. They insist on gathering medical history, sharing photographs, and offering video consultations to better evaluate potential risks.
Nearly a year after first ordering the medication, Kyle regrets his decision lamenting, "It was vanity at play, but insecurity makes you do foolish things. Had I known the risks, I’d have steered clear."
Vocabulary List:
- Hazardous /ˈhæz.ɚ.dəs/ (adjective): Involving risk or danger.
- Impulsive /ɪmˈpʌl.sɪv/ (adjective): Acting or done without forethought.
- Unprecedented /ʌnˈprɛs.ɪ.dɛn.tɪd/ (adjective): Never done or known before.
- Compliance /kəmˈplaɪ.əns/ (noun): The action of complying with a wish or command.
- Demanding /dɪˈmænd.ɪŋ/ (adjective): Requires much effort or attention.
- Insecurity /ˌɪn.sɪˈkjʊr.ɪ.ti/ (noun): Lack of confidence or assurance; self-doubt.
How much do you know?
