Last updated 18 January 2022
The UK patent forPropecia, a hair loss treatment for men, expired on the 11th Oct 2014. A few days later ‘generic Propecia’ or more accurately ‘generic finasteride’ became available from UK pharmacies. A generic medicine is a medicine which is the same as a branded original, but is prescribed and supplied by its medical name, rather than its brand name.
Propecia is a brand name. The active ingredient of Propecia tablets isfinasteride 1mg. Propecia tablets and finasteride 1mg tablets are medically the same.
Dr Fox supplies both from the drug companyMerck(MSD), which held the original patent, and lower cost, which other drug companies have made available since Merck’s UK patent expired.
When a medicine comes off patent price can fall dramatically. Men, who previously paid very high prices for Propecia, may be able to buy medically identical finasteride 1mg at lower prices.
When a medicine is under patent it can only be sold legally by the patent holder. This means the patent holder, which is normally the drug company which paid to develop the medicine in the first place, is free to market the medicine without competition from other pharmaceutical companies. The result is usually very high prices. When a patent expires other drug companies usually start to produce the same medicine, known as a generic copy, and start to compete on price. As a result the cost to patients tends to fall.
The cost to patients of a medicine depends on various factors; how much it costs to produce, how much demand there is, how many drug companies supply the same medicine, and how flexible the market is. Even when the wholesale supply price of a medicine falls, the price patients pay does not always fall by the same amount. Retail pharmacies may try not to pass on reduced supply costs to patients, and instead use falling wholesale prices to boost profits. If there is price competition between retailers, as there tends to be between online pharmacies and online clinics, price to patients usually fall in line with falls in wholesale supply costs, but not always.
Dr Fox is one of the lowest cost suppliers of most medicines for both branded and generic medicines.
At the moment (10 Dec 2014) only three pharmaceutical companies, apart from Merck, are supplying finasteride 1mg tablets. These companies areTrent,Actavis, andMylanAt the time of writing, all are offering their generic equivalent of Propecia at the same price; about 10% less than branded Propecia. Prices will hopefully tumble further in the days and weeks to come (as happened when last year).UPDATE JANUARY 2022Generic finasteride is now less than 30% of the price of Propecia from Dr Fox.
The original patent holder, Merck (MSD) may reduce the price of Propecia, or start to market its own generic finasteride 1mg alongside branded Propecia.
Not all men who previously took Propecia will switch to generic finasteride 1mg, even if the price of Propecia remains high and generic finasteride is a lot cheaper. If a patient is happy with a particular brand of tablet, they often will not switch to a lower cost equivalent, even if they are reliably advised that one tablet is medically the same as the other. Whether or not they switch depends on how much they wish to economise, and all the other factors which keep people buying certain products at high prices when they do not have to.
Finasteride 1mg tablets are taken daily to reduce hair loss in men, and can promote hair regrowth. See Dr Fox for details.
Cheap Propecia may be on its way which would be welcome news to the many men suffering distress as a result of male pattern hair loss.
Cheap PropeciaThe active ingredient in Propecia is finasteride 1mg.
Both branded and generic finasteride 1mg are accepted at the pharmaceutical company
Propeciais a popular medication used to treat male pattern baldness and promote hair growth. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body, leading to a gradual reduction in hair loss.
Propecia is a brand name for finasteride, an oral medication that helps to combat hair loss. It belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Propecia is commonly used for men with male pattern baldness and is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, and topical solutions.
The most common side effects of Propecia include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased ejaculate volume. These side effects are usually mild and temporary.
While Propecia is generally safe and effective for most users, it can cause side effects that users should be aware of.
Common side effects of Propecia include:
Serious side effects of Propecia include:
Other side effects of Propecia include:
Medically reviewed by Jessica Swirble, PharmDLast updated on April 2, 2025
Drug Information| | |
Finasteride is a medication classified as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. It is primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
Finasteride is used to treat conditions such as:
It may also be prescribed for other medical conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Finasteride works by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is involved in the development of BPH and male pattern baldness. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride helps shrink the prostate gland in BPH and promotes hair regrowth in male pattern baldness.
Finasteride is usually taken orally as a tablet, with or without food, as directed by your healthcare provider. The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the condition being treated and your response to the medication.
Follow the prescribed dosage and schedule strictly. Do not stop taking finasteride suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider, as it may affect the effectiveness of the treatment.
The time it takes to see noticeable results with finasteride can vary. Some men may experience improvements in symptoms of BPH, such as reduced urinary urgency and frequency, within a few weeks to months of starting treatment. For male pattern baldness, visible hair regrowth may take several months to a year of consistent use.
Continue taking finasteride as prescribed even if you do not see immediate results. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about your treatment progress.
While finasteride is primarily used for BPH and male pattern baldness, healthcare providers may sometimes prescribe it off-label for other conditions.
Discuss any alternative uses of finasteride with your healthcare provider.
Finasteride is available in the following dosage forms:
Generic versions of finasteride are available under various brand names.
Finasteride is a prescription medication. You will need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain this medication.
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Side EffectsThe use of finasteride can lead to various side effects in some individuals.
Common mild side effects of finasteride use include:
More severe side effects of finasteride use can include:
Finasteride may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer or breast cancer. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider before starting treatment with finasteride.
Propecia is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. It works by blocking the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone responsible for hair loss.
Propecia is a prescription medication that is available over the counter (OTC) in the UK. It can be purchased by prescription or over the counter (under the brand name Proscar). However, you should only buy Propecia from a registered pharmacy. Always check the pharmacy's product labels to ensure they're genuine and not counterfeits.
After about one year, your doctor can prescribe Propecia for hair loss. It is important to continue taking it for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, even if you start noticing results. This is because Propecia is used for treating male pattern baldness, but it does not work immediately for everyone.
Propecia is a prescription medication that is used to treat male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. It works by blocking the production of DHT, which is the hormone responsible for hair loss.
It works by blocking the production of DHT, which is responsible for hair loss.
You can buy Propecia from a registered pharmacy for free, even if you don't have a prescription. However, you can also use a free consultation service (or an online consultation service) to see if Propecia is suitable for you.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Yes, you can buy Propecia from a registered pharmacy. You'll need a prescription from your doctor to buy the medication.
Some of the common side effects of Propecia include:
If you experience any of these side effects or if you have any concerns, always consult your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
Yes, you can get Propecia for free with a prescription from a registered pharmacy. It's important to only buy Propecia from a licensed pharmacy.
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