Propecia vs. Finasteride

See how Propecia and Finasteride compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Propecia is simply the brand name for finasteride 1 mg, so the two work identically to slow male pattern hair loss.

  • Generic finasteride typically costs far less per month than brand-name Propecia for the same 1 mg dose.

  • Generic finasteride also comes in a 5 mg strength approved for BPH, while Propecia is sold only as 1 mg for hair loss.

Propecia vs. Finasteride Drug Summary

Propecia

Propecia is the brand-name version of finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor FDA-approved to treat male pattern hair loss in men. It comes only as a 1 mg tablet taken once daily and works by lowering the DHT levels that shrink hair follicles.

Finasteride

Generic finasteride is the same 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor sold in 1 mg tablets for hair loss and 5 mg tablets for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It's taken once daily and produces the same DHT-lowering effect as Propecia, usually at a lower cost.

Propecia vs. Finasteride Side Effects

Propecia

Most common
decreased libido (up to 1.8%)
erectile dysfunction (up to 1.3%)
decreased ejaculate volume (up to 1.2%)
ejaculation disorder (up to 1%)

Finasteride

Most common
decreased libido (up to 1.8%)
erectile dysfunction (up to 1.3%)
decreased ejaculate volume (up to 1.2%)
ejaculation disorder (up to 1.2%)

Propecia vs. Finasteride Dosage

Propecia

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 1 mg once daily Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Finasteride

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 5 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Propecia vs. Finasteride Indications

Propecia

Propecia is FDA-approved to treat androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss, in men. It is not approved for use in women or children and is available only in the 1 mg strength.

  • Male pattern hair loss in men

  • Not approved for women

  • Not approved for children

  • Only available as a 1 mg tablet

Finasteride

Generic finasteride treats the same male pattern hair loss at the 1 mg dose, while the 5 mg strength is FDA-approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Some clinicians also prescribe it off-label for hirsutism in women with elevated androgen levels.

  • Male pattern hair loss in men

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

  • Off-label: hirsutism in women

  • Available as 1 mg and 5 mg tablets

Propecia vs. Finasteride Pros and Cons

Propecia

Propecia offers the exact clinical profile of finasteride 1 mg, with data supporting its use since its 1997 approval and consistent brand manufacturing. Coverage for hair loss drugs is inconsistent, and the brand price tends to run well above the generic.

Pros

  • Long-standing brand track record since 1997

  • Consistent brand-name manufacturing

  • Simple dosing with only one available strength

Cons

  • Roughly $100 to $250 per month without insurance

  • No BPH indication, so a separate prescription is needed if the prostate is enlarged

  • Only sold at the 1 mg strength, with no dose flexibility

Finasteride

Generic finasteride delivers the same active ingredient and effectiveness as Propecia, usually at a much lower price. It's also sold in a 5 mg strength, so the same drug can address both hair loss and BPH.

Pros

  • Roughly $10 to $50 per month without insurance

  • Also available at 5 mg for treating BPH

  • Widely stocked by generic manufacturers, easy to find

Cons

  • Two strengths (1 mg and 5 mg) raise the risk of mixing up doses

  • Pill appearance can vary between manufacturers

  • No brand-name consistency from refill to refill

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.