Finasteride belongs to the group of drugs that are referred to as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride is a generic drug that is also available in the generic form or as popular branded medicines such as Propecia and Proscar. Both Propecia and Proscar are manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co., Inc.
Finasteride is usually prescribed for the treatment of one of two conditions –
- Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate gland undergoes enlargement causing pain, difficulty urinating, loss of bladder control, etc.
- Androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness characterized by loss of hair in the crown and mid-scalp
The dosage of generic Finasteride recommended for treating these two conditions is very different. The Merck brand medications Propecia and Proscar both contain Finasteride but are manufactured in dosages that are best suited for the treatment of alopecia and BPH, respectively. Propecia is a 1 mg tablet, and Proscar comes in the form of a 5mg tablet. These cannot be taken interchangeably. Similarly, if you opt to buy Proscar generic Finasteride, you must be careful about the recommended potency of the drug.
While there is no significant difference in the composition or the efficacy of generic Proscar, Propecia, or branded medicines, you must discuss the correct dosage with your doctor before starting treatment. In addition, if you have been prescribed Finasteride, you will need regular monitoring by your doctor. This includes follow-up consultations and certain medical tests to avoid any adverse effects from the medication.
How does Propecia or Finasteride work?
Finasteride, marketed as Propecia 1 mg tablet, is an effective medication for treating male pattern baldness. It reduces hair fall and promotes the growth of new hair. However, the greatest advantage of this medicine in treating alopecia is that while Finasteride promotes the regrowth of scalp hair, it does not boost the growth of body hair.
Male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia typically involves hair loss and baldness in the crown and mid-scalp area. The long-term use of generic Finasteride or Propecia 1 mg tablets helps reverse this condition by reducing the levels of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), an endogenous hormone.
Generic Finasteride Vs Propecia – Is there a difference?
One key difference that sets apart generic Finasteride and Propecia is that the latter is only available as a 1mg tablet. Finasteride may be available as a topical spray. In some cases, combining Finasteride and minoxidil has shown effectiveness in curbing hair fall and promoting hair growth. Your doctor may recommend this product in addition to Finasteride tablets or in combination with other medicines to treat the male pattern baldness. However, Finasteride spray needs to be used per the precautions and warnings in the patient information literature.
Finasteride (Propecia) Warnings and Precautions
If you have been prescribed Finasteride 1mg or Propecia tablets, it is important to follow the exact dosage recommended by the doctor. Increasing the dosage will not increase the benefits but may cause health complications and side effects.
It is important to remember that Finasteride or branded medicines like Proscar and Propecia are not recommended for use in women and children. In addition, women of childbearing age must not handle these tablets as the medication can be absorbed by the skin and may cause birth defects in children born to them.
The use of Finasteride or Propecia may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits with the doctor.
Finasteride (Propecia) Side-effects
Doctors recommend generic Finasteride or Propecia to treat male pattern baldness. If you experience one or more of the following side effects, it is necessary to contact your doctor –
- Allergic reactions (rashes, hives, swelling, trouble breathing)
- Sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, decrease in sex drive, premature ejaculation)
- Gynecomastia (swelling of breast tissue in men)
- Weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness
If your doctor has recommended Propecia or Finasteride, you will need to continue taking the tablet for several months to see results. It is best to buy the medicine through the Complete Online Pharmacy and avail of huge discounts and doorstep delivery.
