Finasteride Vs. Propecia: Drug Comparison

Finasteride is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Propecia^®. The information below is about brand name Propecia. According to the FDA, “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Propecia (finasteride) is an oral medication used to treat male pattern hair loss by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to pattern hair loss. It is typically prescribed to men experiencing hair thinning on the crown and the middle of the scalp. Propecia is taken once daily and can slow hair loss while promoting regrowth in some men. However, it may cause side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and, in rare cases, depression and breast tenderness​.

Propecia^® (finasteride) is an oral medication used to treat male pattern hair loss by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to pattern hair loss. It is typically prescribed to men experiencing hair thinning on the crown and the middle of the scalp. Propecia is taken once daily and can slow hair loss while promoting regrowth in some men. However, it may cause side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and, in rare cases, depression and breast tenderness​.

5α-reductase inhibitor

5α-reductase inhibitor

Propecia (finasteride) is indicated:

• For the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only

Propecia (finasteride) is indicated:

• For the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 1 mg tablets

• Typically taken orally once daily

• Comes in 1 mg tablets

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥1% of patients treated with finasteride and greater than in patients treated with placebo are:

• Decreased libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Ejaculation disorder

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥1% of patients treated with finasteride and greater than in patients treated with placebo are:

• Decreased libido

• Erectile dysfunction

• Ejaculation disorder

• Pregnancy

• Hypersensitivity to any components of this product

• Pregnancy

• Hypersensitivity to any components of this product

• Propecia is not indicated for use in women or pediatric patients

• Women should not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant due to potential risk to a male fetus

• Propecia causes a decrease in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Any confirmed increase in PSA while on Propecia may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if those values are still within the normal range for men not taking a 5α-reductase inhibitor

• 5α-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer

• Propecia is not indicated for use in women or pediatric patients

• Women should not handle crushed or broken Propecia tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant due to potential risk to a male fetus

• Propecia causes a decrease in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Any confirmed increase in PSA while on Propecia may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if those values are still within the normal range for men not taking a 5α-reductase inhibitor

• 5α-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer

*This information is from the label for brand name Propecia^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient finasteride.

*This information is from the label for brand name Propecia^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient finasteride.