Is there a difference between Propecia and generic Finasteride?
If you’re keen to begin a hair loss treatment, the chances are that you have come across Propecia and Finasteride in your research. Both have been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss, so it begs the question - is there a difference between Propecia and generic Finasteride? Let’s find out.
Propecia vs. generic Finasteride
Propecia and Finasteride are prescription medications used to treat male pattern baldness, and they’re both typically swallowed as a pill. They’re actually the same medication, as Propecia is the branded name for generic Finasteride. Propecia is manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co - hence why it is sometimes called Merck Propecia - and the typical dose consists of 1mg of Finasteride.
Branded medication is nothing new and this is typically how medications are first sold when they are under patent. Minoxidil, for instance, is also known as Rogaine, which is a product of Johnson & Johnson. Branded medications are typically more expensive than the unbranded alternative, but they’re capable of the same results and contain practically the same ingredients. As a result, if you’re wondering about the differences between Propecia and Finasteride, the fact is that they’re exactly the same medication.
Do Propecia and Finasteride treat male pattern hair loss?
Whether you opt for Propecia or generic Finasteride, you can be confident that the medication will help you treat male pattern hair loss. Studies show that Finasteride is highly effective at blocking DHT, which is a growth hormone responsible for the miniaturisation of the hair follicles on your head. In a two-year trial, researchers learned that a 1mg dose of Finasteride slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in men with male pattern hair loss.
When taken consistently, Finasteride stops the production of DHT, which can bind to the receptors in your hair follicles, causing them to shrink and eventually die. The fact that both Propecia and generic Finasteride consist of 1mg of the drug means that they can both successfully treat male pattern hair loss, particularly when used in conjunction with other hair loss treatments like Minoxidil.
The verdict: Should you choose Propecia or Finasteride?
The fact of the matter is that Propecia and Finasteride are effective for treating male pattern hair loss. However, one of the key differences between the two medications is the price. Due to the fact that it’s a branded medication, Propecia can cost 2-3 times more than Finasteride, but the price will, of course, depend on the dispensing pharmacy that you visit. Given that both medications do exactly the same work, it makes sense to opt for the cheaper drug, making generic Finasteride the better option.
At Sons, we offer generic Finasteride as part of our highly successful hair loss treatment plans. For the best results, we recommend taking Finasteride alongside Minoxidil, as the two medications work hand in hand and are effective for 9/10 men. If you’re unsure about which of our treatments to opt for, you can schedule a free online consultation for further information.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
