The Independent Pharmacy

Propecia Vs Finasteride - Whats The Difference?

Propecia and Finasteride are technically the same hair loss treatment. Propecia, however, is the branded version of the drug, whereas Finasteride is the cheaper generic version named after the active ingredient finasteride which is found in Propecia.

Similar to how Hoover and vacuum cleaner mean the same thing, but Hoover is actually the brand name.

Finasteride is just as effective but will be considerably cheaper to buy as Propecia is a more widely recognised brand. It is also worth noting Propecia does contain some other binding and inactive ingredients, which users may react to differently. This is why it is critically important to monitor all ingredients when starting any new medical treatment.

Propecia 1mg Tablets
Propecia 1mg Tablets
View Treatment

With so much information available online, it can be tricky to get your facts straight when seeking a drug to treat hair loss. There are many different products available on the market to treat hair loss — some good, some bad, and some even downright dangerous.

Propecia is an MHRA approved hair loss treatment specially formulated to treat male pattern baldness. The drug is orally administered and is effective in 83% of users, with most users experiencing results after 6 months of treatment.

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride is actually an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Finasteride is widely used for the treatment of an enlarged prostate, and male pattern hair loss. The dosage for treating an enlarged prostate is substantially different to the one administered for hair loss - you can find out more on our Finasteride dosage page.

While Finasteride may be combined with different inactive ingredients and sold as a generic drug treatment, Propecia has been branded by Merck Sharp & Dohme — a global pharmaceutical company. You can read more about what Finasteride exactly is and does here.

Buy Finasteride 1mg Tablets
Buy Finasteride 1mg Tablets
View Treatment

Propecia as a hair loss treatment

The branded product Propecia comes in 1mg tablets and is sold in packs of 28. They are often cheaper to buy online and are sold at The Independent Pharmacy after completing a simple online consultation.

Make sure that you answer all the questions honestly during your online consultation, as it’s important that our medical team have as much knowledge as possible before they administer the drug to you.

Finasteride as a hair loss treatment

Finasteride also comes in 1mg tablets sold in packs of 28. As Finasteride is a generic, unbranded version of Propecia, the price is considerably lower.

Can I take Propecia/Finasteride?

Both versions of the drug are of the same strength and require a prescription to purchase. They are most effective in males aged between 18 - 41 and the earlier you start taking Finasteride, the better — it is much easier to prevent further hair loss than it is to regrow hair that you have already lost. Patients are strongly advised to check all ingredients before beginning any form of medical treatment. Propecia is specially formulated for men, so women are advised to seek other treatments and therapies for a thinning hairline. Before taking it is a good idea to research the side effects of Finasteride.

For more information on hair loss treatments head over to our Hair Loss page. Here you can read more about the available products, seek medical advice from our healthcare professionals, and read other blogs on Propecia, Regaine, and Avodart.

Next post
arrow right icon

Related Hair Loss guides

  • Paracetamol Sale Restrictions: How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Paracetamol?

    Paracetamol is one of the most widely used pain relievers and fever reducers. Paracetamol is available in many forms, including tablets, capsules, liquids, and suppositories. It’s an effective treatment for mild to moderate pain. Symptoms of migraines, muscle aches, stomach pain, toothaches, period cramps and arthritis can all be treated with paracetamol.
  • How Long Does Finasteride Take to Work?

  • Minoxidil (Regaine) Dosage For Hair Loss

About the author

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall

Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.

About the reviewer

James Prewett
James Prewett
James Prewett

More from Scott McDougall

  • Ozempic vs Mounjaro - Which Is Best For Your Weight Loss - New content method.

    test Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras dignissim tincidunt cursus. Donec tempus nisl vel erat volutpat tempus. Mauris tristique vestibulum sem ut malesuada. Nulla sagittis, enim a ultricies auctor, massa ipsum dapibus est, eu fermentum diam tortor in dui. Suspendisse vel mi eget mauris ullamcorper faucibus ut commodo sapien. Curabitur vitae purus vel dolor congue scelerisque. Praesent dapibus, risus quis pretium mattis, orci nisl egestas augue, ut pretium urna nisi vel est. Etiam eu lectus metus. Nam sed mi vehicula, suscipit metus ac, scelerisque odio. Donec vel sodales augue, eget blandit felis. Ut aliquam commodo urna. test
  • Personalised meal plans with field doctor

  • Hair Loss Survey Reveals Societal Attitudes Towards Men

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.