Hair loss (alopecia) is usually normal in males, known as male pattern baldness. However, it can be distressing and it may be something you wish to slow or prevent. If you are experiencing balding and are considering ways to prevent and reduce hair loss, then at some point you may consider what medications are available. Propecia and Finasteride are two hair loss medications that you will frequently hear mentioned. Here we look at Propecia vs Finasteride so that you can decide which treatment is best for you.

Propecia vs Finasteride: what’s the difference

Let’s start by looking at the medications themselves.

Propecia and Finasteride contain the same active ingredients. It’s confusing because Propecia is the best-known brand name for this hair loss treatment. Finasteride is the generic version of the same drug. This means that it is cheaper to buy but contains the same active ingredient. This generic vs branded approach happens with many pharmaceuticals.

As such, you can treat both Propecia and Finasteride as the same medication. This means they are equally effective. However, you will probably find that Finasteride is available more cost-effectively. So, if this is a consideration for you then please bear this in mind.

However, when considering Propecia vs Finasteride, they aren’t exactly the same in terms of additional ingredients. All medications contain other ingredients, useful for binding or serving as inactive carriers. This is the same for Propecia and Finasteride. Different people may react differently to different inactive ingredients, as well as the main drug, and so this may be a consideration in your choice as well, especially if you have had an allergic reaction to a medication in the past.

Treating hair loss: Propecia vs Finasteride

Treating hair loss can be very confusing. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation online, much of which preys on the lack of confidence and insecurity that male pattern baldness can bring. There are all sorts of products and drugs on the market which aren’t recommended and can be snake oil at best and harmful at worst. Propecia and Finasteride can get lost in this, even though they are reliable and safe medications. As such, it can be very difficult to decide between Propecia and Finasteride and learn more about them. Here we hope to make it cleaner for you.

What is Finasteride?

Finasteride, as both the generic drug and the branded Propecia, is an MHRA approved medication for hair loss. This means they are specifically formulated to treat male pattern baldness. It’s been shown to be effective in over 80% of users within 6 months of treatment. You take these medications orally.

Finasteride is an enzyme that carries out a conversion from testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), overall reducing the amount of DHT in the body. It’s used for male pattern hair loss. It is also used for treating an enlarged prostate but the dosage and regime is quite different in these cases.

When used for treating hair loss, Finasteride/Propecia is suitable for treating male baldness in those aged 18-41 years. Generally speaking, the sooner that you start taking the medication, the more likely it is to be effective. The basic premise is that it prevents hair loss but doesn’t regrow hair. That said, some men do experience reversal and experience regrowth when taking Finasteride.

Propecia and Finasteride come in packs of 28 tablets, each one 1 mg. You need a prescription for these medications. It’s recommended that you look at the non-active ingredients when deciding between Propecia vs Finasteride to see if you’ve had any problems with these inactive ingredients before.

If you are a woman experiencing hair loss and looking for medication, Propecia and Finasteride are not recommended.

Side effects of Finasteride

All medications come with side effects. Finasteride is generally considered safe and, especially in the lower doses used for male hair loss, most men can take it safely.

However, there are common side effects of finasteride including:

• Lowered libido (sex drive)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation disorder
• Breast tenderness and enlargement
• Skin rash

These effects are usually mild and tend to subside after a few weeks of using the medication. You should speak to your doctor if they don’t subside.

Rarely there are some serious side effects including:

• Swelling of your lips, tongue, throat or face
• Severe low mood
• Painful and lumpy breasts
• Nipple discharge

If you experience any of these side effects, you should seek emergency medical treatment.

There are additional warnings with Finasteride (and, as such also with Propecia). This medication can pass through the skin. As such, women who are pregnant or trying to conceive, or will be trying soon, should not handle this medication as there is a risk of birth defects. This drug is not prescribed for women.

Finasteride is also unsuitable for people with liver disease or those at risk of, or who have had, prostate cancer.

Do you need to treat male hair loss?

If your hair loss is due to regular male pattern baldness then you don’t need to treat it. However, many people want to as they find it affects their confidence and self-esteem. Not all men experience hair loss to the same degree, or at all, until much later in life. It’s down to genetics – hence male baldness often runs in families. However, while it may be normal, what many don’t realize is that it can actually be preventable with early treatment. Left untreated, it’s progressive and will get worse over time. There comes a time when it is no longer possible to treat hair loss.

Managing stress is also important to reduce male hair loss. Knowing how to reduce and manage stress can help slow down and reduce hair loss. It’s also important to eat a protein-rich diet, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables including vitamin C, iron, biotin, zinc and vitamin D.

Where can I buy Propecia?

You can buy both Finasteride and Propecia through International Pharmacy. We ship globally. This way you can get your hair loss medication easily, affordably and without even needing to leave home. Once your request has been reviewed by our team, we will dispatch your medication as soon as possible.

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The International Pharmacy provides general information which is not a substitute for medical advice. We understand that male hair loss can be distressing. For personal recommendations and support, please speak to your family doctor.