Propecia and finasteride: What is the difference?

Propecia vs finasteride: What are the similarities?

Propecia and finasteride contain the same active ingredient, 1mg finasteride. 

Propecia and finasteride are both clinically proven to treat male pattern baldness. They work in the same way by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). 

DHT is the hormone responsible for making hair follicles shrink and shortening the hair growth cycles of males with pattern baldness. This is why blocking the production of DHT helps most males with pattern baldness reduce hair loss and regrow their hair.

For the treatment of male pattern baldness, both Propecia and finasteride are available as a 1mg dose only, which should be taken at the same time every day. 

Learn more about male pattern baldness in our article ‘Hair loss: Causes, symptoms, and treatments’. 

Propecia vs finasteride: What are the differences?

The main difference between Propecia and finasteride is that Propecia is a branded version of finasteride. Generic finasteride may be supplied by different manufacturers. Because Propecia is a brand name, it is usually more expensive than generic finasteride.

Finasteride 1mg (including branded Propecia) is licensed for the treatment of male pattern hair loss.

Branded medicines like Propecia may differ in appearance (colour and/or shape) and the packaging may also look different to non-branded or ‘generic’ medicines using the same active ingredient, finasteride.

Is finasteride the same as Propecia?

Yes, the 1mg dosage of finasteride is the same active ingredient found in Propecia.

They both work in the same way to treat male pattern baldness and have been found to have equal clinical effectiveness.

It is possible to ask your GP or clinician to switch you from Propecia to finasteride and vice versa, but you cannot take Propecia and finasteride together, as you must stick to the 1mg per day dosage.

Why is Propecia more expensive than finasteride?

Branded medicines typically have a higher price point than non-branded or generic equivalents.

Both 1mg finasteride and 1mg Propecia are private prescription-only medications, which means they are not available on the NHS as a hair loss treatment.

How to find the best hair loss medication?

Your GP or clinician will be able to inform you if you fit the eligibility criteria and are deemed medically safe to take hair loss medications such as finasteride or Propecia. 

If your GP or clinician provides you with an option of available hair loss medications, you must ask them for their professional opinion and evaluate the side effects, effectiveness, convenience, and cost to find the best medication for you. 

It's also best to research all possible treatments for your hair loss condition, including over-the-counter hair loss products and medical procedures, to find the best option for you.

How can I start a consultation for Propecia or finasteride?

Because finasteride and Propecia are private prescription-only medications for the treatment of hair loss, you must consult your GP or clinician to see if you are suitable for the medication based on your medical profile.

Once you have a prescription, there are several ways to purchase it. You can visit your local pharmacy or order your prescription online from an MHRA-approved, GPhC-registered online pharmacy such as Pharmacy2U.

Discover more information about our online hair loss consultations or find out how you can have your GP prescription delivered straight to your door on our ‘How we work with your GP’ page.