Finasteride (Propecia®) is an oral medication sometimes taken off label to slow hair loss and potentially promote hair regrowth in postmenopausal people with female pattern hair loss.
Finasteride is the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Propecia®, an oral medication approved to treat male pattern hair loss in men and sometimes used off label to treat female pattern hair loss in certain women. Finasteride works the same way as Propecia and has the same benefits and risks, per the FDA.
The medication is typically prescribed to men experiencing hair thinning on the crown and middle of the scalp. It works by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to pattern hair loss. It can also be prescribed off label to postmenopausal women experiencing female pattern hair loss.
Finasteride is taken once daily and can slow hair loss while promoting regrowth. However, it may cause side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and, in rare cases, depression and breast tenderness, which were seen in studies on men.
Propecia (finasteride) is indicated:
For the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only
The drug category for finasteride is 5α-reductase inhibitor.
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
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
Boxed Warning not available for this drug.
The cost of finasteride may vary depending on factors such as your insurance plan, which pharmacy you use, the dosage, and quantity. Without insurance, finasteride may cost about $65 on average for a month’s supply, although there are coupons and discount programs available to reduce the price. Brand-name Propecia® is typically more expensive, averaging about $110 for a month’s supply.
There are other options for hair loss and female pattern baldness besides finasteride. Some may be better suited to you than others. If you’re looking for an alternative to finasteride, consider connecting with a healthcare provider to discuss the best options for you.
Other hair loss treatments include:
Hair transplant surgery
Low-level light therapy
Microneedling
Oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label at the discretion of a healthcare provider)
Spironolactone (prescribed off-label at the discretion of a healthcare provider)
Platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss
Scalp micropigmentation
Targeted hair care products such as thickening shampoo
Topical finasteride and minoxidil spray (prescribed at the discretion of a healthcare provider)
Topical minoxidil
Biotin and other hair-supportive supplements
Yes. Research in men shows that combining oral finasteride and topical minoxidil is more effective than using finasteride alone.
Everyone may have different results when it comes to how long before finasteride starts working. But in general, new hair growth may become noticeable after about three to four months of taking finasteride daily. You’ll see the greatest improvement after about a year of continued use.
No, weight gain is not considered a side effect of finasteride.
You can get a prescription for finasteride after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history.
*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 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. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
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