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
Finasteride
Propecia vs. Finasteride Dosage
Propecia
Finasteride
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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
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