Finasteride (Propecia) is used to treat male pattern hair loss (gradual thinning of the hair on the scalp, leading to a receding hairline or balding on the top of the head in men.) Finasteride (Propecia) has not been shown to treat thinning hair at the temples and is not used to treat hair loss in women.¹

Finasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss by blocking the body's production of a male hormone in the scalp that stops hair growth.²

Finasteride comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take finasteride at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take finasteride exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Finasteride will only slow hair loss while you are taking the medication. Continue to take finasteride even if you have already noticed an improvement. Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor.³

If you are taking finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss, it may take at least three months before you see any improvement because hair loss and growth happen slowly over time. However, you should expect to see improvement during the first 12 months of your treatment. If you have taken finasteride for 12 months and have not noticed any improvement, talk to your doctor about whether you should continue your treatment.⁴

RedBox Rx prescribes finasteride in 1 mg dosages. Begin your online consult today.

It can be taken at any time of day, but whichever time you decide, it is best to take it at the same time each day.⁵

Dutasteride is a more potent DHT blocker and hair loss treatment than finasteride, but dutasteride does come with additional side effects, including sexual dysfunction and depression.⁶ Learn more about dutasteride.

No, dutasteride and finasteride both belong to a category of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and should not be taken together.⁷

The main differences between finasteride and minoxidil are their use and function.

• Finasteride is a prescription oral medication that blocks 5-alpha-reductase to lower scalp DHT and slow hormonal hair loss.⁸

• Minoxidil is available in an over-the-counter topical or prescription oral tablet and stimulates hair growth by shortening the follicle resting phase.^9,10

Because they treat hair loss differently, both medications can be used together to combat and reverse hair loss in men. Finasteride is not recommended for use in women.

Read our blog Finasteride vs. Minoxidil: A Complete Guide to learn more.

Finasteride and minoxidil can be used safely in combination to combat hair loss in men. These two medications work better together than either one alone. In one study, 94.1% of men using a combination of finasteride and minoxidil reported improvement in hair regrowth and reduction in hair loss. This was compared to 80.9% of men who used finasteride only and 59% who used minoxidil only.¹¹

Start an assessment with RedBox Rx if you are interested in a prescription combination pack of finasteride and minoxidil for men.

RedBox Rx offers finasteride for as little as $10 per month with a 90-tablet order. Begin your online consult to get started.

Finasteride requires a doctor’s prescription and is not available over the counter.¹²

No. Finasteride is only for use in men. Women, especially those who are or may become pregnant should not touch broken or crushed finasteride tablets. Touching broken or crushed finasteride tablets may harm the fetus. If a woman who is pregnant or who could become pregnant touches broken or crushed finasteride tablets, she should wash the area with soap and water immediately and call her doctor.¹³

Before taking finasteride:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to finasteride, any other medications or any of the ingredients in finasteride tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the patient information for a list of the ingredients.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or prostate cancer.

• You should know that finasteride is only for use in men. Women, especially those who are or may become pregnant should not touch broken or crushed finasteride tablets. Touching broken or crushed finasteride tablets may harm the fetus. If a woman who is pregnant or who could become pregnant touches broken or crushed finasteride tablets, she should wash the area with soap and water immediately and call her doctor.

• You should know that finasteride may decrease fertility in men; decreased sexual desire, ejaculation problems and inability to have or maintain an erection may occur during and after your treatment is stopped. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking finasteride.¹⁴

Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.¹⁵

Finasteride may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Inability to have or maintain an erection

• Decreased sexual desire

• Problems with ejaculation (including decreased volume of ejaculate)

• Pain in the testicles

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• Changes in the breasts such as increased size, lumps, pain or nipple discharge

• Rash, itching, hives or swelling of the lips and face

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• New or worsening depression, thoughts about harming or killing yourself or planning or trying to do so

Finasteride may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Taking finasteride may increase the risk that you will develop high-grade prostate cancer (a type of prostate cancer that spreads and grows more quickly than other types of prostate cancer). Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking finasteride.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).¹⁶

Finasteride blocks the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme changes testosterone to another hormone and increases testosterone levels in the body. The effect of finasteride will only last as long as the medicine is taken.¹⁷

The best way to reduce risk of side effects from finasteride treatment is to use the medication exactly as prescribed:

• Take the prescribed dosage

• Take it at the same time each day

• If you miss a dose, skip it and resume treatment with your next scheduled dose.

• Store the medication at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)

Even with these precautions, you should watch for signs of side effects and contact your doctor as necessary.¹⁸

The half-life of finasteride is about six to eight hours.¹⁹

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location, out of their sight and reach. Learn more at http://www.upandaway.org.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.²⁰

Finasteride can remain in your system for four to five days after you stop taking it.²¹

If you have taken finasteride for 12 months and have not noticed any improvement, further treatment probably will not help. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue your treatment.²²

Finasteride will only slow hair loss while you are taking the medication. Continue to take finasteride even if you have already noticed an improvement. Do not stop taking finasteride without talking to your doctor. You will probably lose any hair that grew back while you were taking finasteride during the first 12 months after you stop taking the medication.²³

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.²⁴

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to finasteride.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking finasteride.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.²⁵

Finasteride is the generic version of the brand name Propecia®. It is also prescribed under the name Proscar®.²⁶

We offer a variety of prescription medication options for hair loss including:

• Dutasteride (generic Avodart®) for men

• Minoxidil foam (generic Rogaine®) for men and women

• Minoxidil tablet (generic Loniten) for men and women

• Hair Loss combo pack for men (finasteride + minoxidil)

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