Medication questions Finasteride

Can you drink alcohol while taking finasteride?

Short answer

Yes. The NHS says "you can drink alcohol with finasteride", and the UK product information for finasteride 1 mg lists no interaction with alcohol. You do not need to skip a dose before drinking. It is still worth knowing that heavy drinking can affect mood and erections, the same areas the MHRA asks people taking finasteride to watch.

Plain white tablets spilling from an unlabelled white bottle on a green background

Key facts

  • No interaction between alcohol and finasteride is listed in the UK product information.
  • The NHS says you can drink alcohol with finasteride.
  • Heavy drinking can worsen mood and cause erection problems on its own, so changes in either are worth discussing with your prescriber.

What the official sources say

The NHS medicines page for finasteride answers the question directly: "You can drink alcohol with finasteride." The Propecia summary of product characteristics (SmPC), the official prescribing information, does not mention alcohol in its interactions section, and the patient leaflet says the tablet "can be taken with or without food". So there is no recognised interaction between alcohol and finasteride.

That means an occasional drink, or a night out, is not a reason to stop or skip your tablet. Keep taking it at your usual time.

Why mood is worth keeping an eye on

The honest caveat is not about an interaction. It is that alcohol and finasteride can both affect mood, from different directions.

The MHRA's Drug Safety Updates of 29 April 2024 and 11 May 2026 say finasteride is associated with low mood, depression, suicidal thoughts and sexual dysfunction, and that sexual side effects may persist after treatment is stopped. Separately, the NHS says that "regular drinking at high-risk levels can make your mental health worse".

If your mood dips while you are taking finasteride, it can be hard to tell what is causing it. Do not explain it away as a hangover or a bad week. The MHRA advises stopping finasteride 1 mg immediately and contacting your doctor if you develop depression or suicidal thoughts. Our page on finasteride and depression explains what to look out for. If you need to talk to someone now, Samaritans are free on 116 123, day or night.

Alcohol, erections and sexual side effects

The NHS says occasional erection problems are "usually caused by stress, tiredness or drinking too much alcohol". Finasteride can also cause sexual side effects, including problems getting an erection, lower sex drive and less semen.

If you notice a change, think about whether it only happens after drinking or is there most of the time, and tell your prescriber either way. A pattern that persists when you have not been drinking is worth reporting, and our page on persistent sexual side effects explains the MHRA position.

Sensible drinking while on treatment

The usual UK guidance applies. The NHS advises not drinking more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spreading it over 3 or more days if you do drink that much, and having several drink-free days each week.

A practical point: if a late night means you miss your usual dose, follow the normal missed dose advice and do not take two tablets the next day. If you are unsure whether finasteride suits your lifestyle, a doctor can talk it through as part of the free online assessment.

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Related questions

Do I need to skip finasteride before drinking?

No. There is no recognised interaction, so keep taking your tablet at the usual time. Skipping doses around drinking is more likely to cause gaps in treatment than to prevent any problem.

Does alcohol stop finasteride working?

Neither the NHS nor the UK product information says that alcohol reduces the effect of finasteride. The things that do matter for results are taking it every day and giving it time, usually 3 to 6 months before any change shows.

Does alcohol make finasteride side effects worse?

There is no official evidence that it does. However, heavy drinking can cause low mood and erection problems by itself, and those overlap with finasteride's known side effects. If you notice either, tell your prescriber, and stop finasteride and contact your doctor straight away if you develop depression or suicidal thoughts.

I felt very low after a weekend of drinking. Is it the finasteride?

It may be the alcohol, the finasteride, something else, or a combination, and it is not something to guess at. Low mood on finasteride is a recognised side effect that the MHRA asks patients to act on. Speak to your doctor, and if you are struggling right now, call Samaritans free on 116 123.

Sources

Facts checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Read our editorial policy.

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