Generic Propecia (Finasteride) vs. Merck Propecia
Baseball versus football, merlot versus rosé, Propecia® versus finasteride. Life is full of choices between seemingly similar items — sports, wine and even hair loss treatments.
Sometimes, we have strong preferences. Other times, comparing two things can lead to more confusion. And when dealing with male pattern baldness, you want to be absolutely sure you’re making the right decision.
So what’s the difference between finasteride versus Propecia? Is there a difference? And what about that other hair loss treatment — how do Proscar® versus Propecia compare?
Don’t worry. We’ll discuss the differences between these common hair growth solutions below. So kick back with your beverage of choice while we tell you all you need to know about Propecia versus finasteride.
Propecia vs. Finasteride: Is There a Difference for Hair Loss?
When it comes to finasteride versus Propecia, both are excellent choices for hair loss.
The medications contain the same active ingredient, which, incidentally, is finasteride. One difference between these two hair loss treatments is the names (although it’s not the only difference, which we’ll explain below).
Propecia is the brand name of the medication made by a company called Merck & Co.
Here’s where things get a little complicated: Finasteride is both the active ingredient in and the generic version of Propecia. So, while it’s an ingredient, you’ll also see medications sold under the name “finasteride” (which we sell). If this is hard to wrap your head around, think about this: ibuprofen is a generic version of Motrin® — it’s the active ingredient in the brand name pain reliever, but many people also call Motrin ibuprofen.
But back to finasteride and Propecia. Finasteride was initially released as Proscar, designed specifically to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Proscar tablets containing 5 milligrams (mg) of finasteride are still prescribed for this purpose.
In 1992, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved a second finasteride medication called Propecia, to treat male pattern baldness. Propecia contains a lower dose of finasteride than what’s prescribed for BPH (1 mg versus 5 mg).
Propecia is intended for daily use by men with symptoms of male pattern baldness, such as a receding hairline, baldness around the crown of the head, thinning hair, or other signs of hair loss.
Generic finasteride and brand-name Propecia are FDA-approved for hair loss, along with one other medication, topical minoxidil.
How Propecia and Generic Finasteride Work for Hair Loss
Also known as androgenetic alopecia (or androgenic alopecia), male hair loss is caused by genetics and androgen hormones and affects up to half of men by age 50.
Let’s go back to Clorox and Klennex for a second. While they both do a good job, they’re not the only bleach or tissue brands that do the job. Finasteride is like those other brands.
Finasteride and its brand name counterpart, Propecia, treat male pattern hair loss similarly, as they’re essentially the same medication. The active ingredient (that’s finasteride) works by stopping the production of a male hormone called dihydrotestosterone (or DHT), which can bind to receptors in the scalp and damage hair follicles.
DHT is converted from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. By preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT, finasteride reduces DHT levels throughout the body and shields hair follicles in the growth phase of the hair growth cycle from damage.
A review of finasteride as a treatment for male pattern baldness concluded that oral finasteride promoted hair regrowth and prevented further hair loss in many men with male pattern hair loss.
Although it’s typically taken as an oral medication, topical finasteride is another option with promising results. It’s unclear whether the topical version affects DHT levels, but some studies found a decrease in hair loss and new hair growth with the use of topical finasteride.
You may be wondering, is generic finasteride as good as Propecia? With the same active ingredient, the two should be nearly identical. The results of finasteride versus Propecia are the same, which should be a relief when looking for an effective hair loss treatment.
Finasteride vs. Propecia Dosage
As mentioned above, finasteride is the active ingredient in Propecia. It’s available in several forms prescribed at various dosages, depending on the condition being treated.
Brand-name Propecia is sold exclusively as a 1 mg tablet. Each tablet is intended for once-daily use.
The 1 mg and 5 mg finasteride doses are prescribed for different purposes.
The 1 mg version of generic finasteride is intended for hair loss treatment. As with brand-name Propecia, this medication should be taken once a day.
The 5 mg version of generic finasteride, known as Proscar, is generally used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. This dosage isn’t intended to treat male pattern baldness and shouldn’t be used for this purpose.
Side Effects of Propecia vs. Finasteride
Finasteride is a safe, effective medication for most men. However, like many other medications, it can cause side effects.
Common side effects of finasteride include:
Reduced sex drive
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Premature ejaculation (PE)
Decreased ejaculation volume
Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia)
Skin rash
While these sexual side effects might sound alarming, they only affect a small percentage of men who use finasteride to treat hair loss.
Brand-name Propecia and generic finasteride may differ slightly in terms of the inactive ingredients they’re formulated with. However, since they contain the same active ingredient, they generally cause side effects at an equal rate.
Propecia vs. Finasteride Price
Though brand-name Propecia and generic finasteride are alike in many ways, one of the biggest differences is price. As you probably know, generic drugs are almost always cheaper than their brand-name counterparts.
As a brand-name medication manufactured by a major drug company, Propecia is significantly more expensive on a per-tablet basis than generic finasteride.
A month’s supply of Propecia costs between $110 and $160 at most major pharmacies. The exact price depends on various factors, like the pharmacy location, insurance co-pays, and deductibles.
In comparison, a month’s supply of generic finasteride can run between $20 and $60, depending on the specific brand you choose and the pharmacy where you purchase the medication.
Generic or brand name, you can’t get Propecia over-the-counter. But this guide on how to get finasteride walks you through getting a prescription from your healthcare provider.
Should You Use Propecia or Finasteride for Hair Loss?
So which effective hair loss treatments should you use, brand name or generic Propecia?
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Brand-name Propecia and generic finasteride contain the same active ingredient: finasteride. Finasteride slows hair loss and stimulates regrowth by lowering DHT levels in your body.
Generally speaking, you’ll see the same results from both medications. You may also experience similar mild side effects from both. Although they’re rare overall, some of the more common side effects relate to sexual dysfunction, like erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, or premature ejaculation.
The main distinction between Propecia and finasteride is that the former is brand-name, while the latter is simply generic. The other major difference is the price. Brand-name medications tend to be more expensive than generic ones.
Besides finasteride, topical minoxidil is the only other FDA-approved treatment for hair loss. You can use minoxidil foam, liquid minoxidil solution, or a combination of topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.
Want to get started? Discuss hair loss treatments with a licensed healthcare provider online today.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.