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:: What is Propecia?
Propecia (Finasteride) is an oral prescription drug for men who are experiencing hair loss on the vertex area (or crown area) and the anterior mid-scalp area (the top of the head), a condition known as male pattern baldness. It is manufactured by MERCK and Company Inc. based in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA.
In 1992, a drug called Proscar was approved by the FDA for preventing prostate inflammation. One of the side effects of patients treated with Proscar was that they were regrowing hair. Further research revealed that Dihydrotestosterone or DHT, the same hormone contributing to prostate cancer, and the same hormone that Proscar was developed to inhibit, was also the cause of male pattern hair loss. Finasteride, Proscar’s active ingredient, was then studied for the treatment of male pattern baldness and introduced as Propecia.
You can buy Propecia by going to our Propecia price comparison page  where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest online Propecia prices, no prior prescription required.
If this is your first time ordering Propecia online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: What causes male pattern hair loss?
Male pattern hair loss, also referred to as androgenetic alopecia, is a common hereditary condition in men, that usually starts in their 20s and gradually results in a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head.
Typically, Testosterone in a man’s bloodstream is converted into DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that plays a primary role in the development of male sexual organs during the fetal stage, and later during puberty in the development of secondary male characteristics such as facial hair growth. DHT is commonly found in hair follicles.
Human hair normally follows a cycle of growth, falling out, and new growth. In men genetically predisposed to hair loss, the level of DHT commonly found in hair follicles increases. This chemical change causes irritation, inflammation, and oiliness on top of the scalp, and results in the gradual thinning of the hair with every growth cycle, until after a few years the hair is simply too thin and short to be seen.
Propecia can help slow down and stop your hair loss. For many men, Propecia can also help regrow hair in thin or balding areas of the scalp.
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:: How does Propecia work?
The increase in levels of the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicles is responsible for male pattern hair loss. An enzyme called Type II 5(alpha)-reductase, converts male testosterone into DHT. Propecia works by inhibiting the TYPE II 5(alpha)-reductase enzyme, therefore preventing the production of DHT.
By blocking the production of DHT, Propecia effectively lowers the levels of DHT in the scalp. Regularly taking Propecia keeps the overall DHT levels in the scalp low enough, allowing for hair follicles to stop deteriorating and resume a normal growth cycle. Propecia can therefore stop and in many cases reverse the effects of hair loss.
It is important to understand that, although Propecia begins to block the production of DHT in your follicles almost immediately after you start taking it, because hair grows slowly (on average, healthy hair grows only about half an inch per month), it will take some time until you can notice any results from Propecia:
- After about 3 months, you should start noticing a slowing in your hair loss.
- After about 6 months, your hair may start regrowing.
- After about 12 months, if Propecia has not worked, then continuing to use it is unlikely to be of any benefit.
You must take Propecia for as long as you want to continue benefiting from it. If you stop taking Propecia, you will most likely lose any hair that you have gained within 12 months of stopping treatment.
* Also keep in mind that Propecia, as most other medications for hair loss, is more effective when used to prevent hair loss early, before it gets too severe. Men who wait too long and have already lost most of their hair might regain some of their hair, but the benefit will not be as dramatic.
* If you have receding hairline:
Propecia tends to work best on the top and crown area of the scalp. If you are experiencing receding hairline (balding around your forehead), Propecia might still help you, although there is not enough evidence from clinical studies that Propecia works in the treatment of receding hairline. For most men, Propecia helps improve hair quality and quantity overall.
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:: How well does Propecia work?
Propecia works very well. Studies show that it works for 9 out of 10 men (versus 1 out of 4 on sugar pill).
A 5-year clinical study has shown that among the 90% men who stopped losing their hair, 48% actually regrew hair. Successful results were achieved in the first year, and included overall decrease of hair loss, bald spot getting smaller, overall increase in amount of hair, hair getting thicker and fuller overall, satisfaction with frontal hair, satisfaction with top of head, and improvement in the overall appearance of hair.
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:: How safe is Propecia?
Propecia is very safe when used properly. Finasteride, the medication in Propecia, has been tested for more than 5 years in clinical studies. Finasteride has actually been available as Proscar sine 1992, when it was approved by the FDA to effectively treat men with enlarged prostates, and has demonstrated an excellent safety profile over that time as well.
Propecia has been approved by the FDA to safely and successfully treat hair loss for many men. However, make sure to read about Who should not take Propecia? .
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:: Who should not take Propecia?
Propecia is for the treatment of male pattern hair loss, which is hereditary. If you have no family history of gradual hair loss, if your hair loss is sudden or patchy, or if you are not sure of the reason for your hair loss, you should not use Propecia and you should see your doctor.
* Warning: DHT is a hormone that plays a primary role in the development of male sexual organs during the fetal stage, and later during puberty in the development of secondary male characteristics. Because of the ability of Propecia to block the conversion of male testosterone to DHT, it may cause abnormalities in the sexual organs of a male fetus. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant should not handle broken or crushed Propecia tablets. Propecia tablets are film-coated to prevent contact with and absorption through the skin of the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets have not been broken or crushed. Exposure of pregnant women to semen from men treated with Propecia poses no risk to the fetus.
Propecia is not indicated for use in children. Propecia’s safety and effectiveness have not been established in children. Because of the ability of Propecia to block the conversion of male testosterone to DHT, it may hinder the normal sexual development of a male child.
Only your healthcare provider can tell you for sure if you should take Propecia or not. Inform your healthcare provider, during either a physical or online consultation, about all the medicines you are taking, prescription or over-the-counter, and about any medical conditions you have or have had, including allergies.
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:: Can Propecia be used by women?
Propecia is currently not recommended for women. In a study of postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia, the effectiveness of Propecia could not be demonstrated.
* Warning: If you are a woman and are planning to have children, please remember: DHT is a hormone that plays a primary role in the development of male sexual organs during the fetal stage, and later during puberty in the development of secondary male characteristics. Because of the ability of Propecia to block the conversion of male testosterone to DHT, it may cause abnormalities in the sexual organs of a male fetus. Women who are or may potentially be pregnant should not take or handle Propecia tablets. Propecia tablets are film-coated to prevent contact with and absorption through the skin of the active ingredient during normal handling, provided that the tablets have not been broken or crushed.
Propecia is not indicated for use by women, but Rogaine (Minoxidil) regular strength 2% is.
Rogaine 2% as an alternative therapy for women:
Rogaine used to be prescription only, but is now available over-the-counter. It is a hair regrowth solution that you apply twice a day directly onto your scalp. Rogaine is available as regular strength 2% and extra strength 5% solutions. The regular strength 2% solution is specially formulated for women. Rogaine is non-prescription, and is available as generic (Minoxidil).
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:: What does Propecia look like?
Propecia, made by MERCK, comes as tan-colored, film-coated, 8-sided, 1 mg oral tablets with the imprint PROPECIA on one side and the stylized P logo on the other.
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:: How do I take Propecia?
The correct way to take Propecia is to take one pill each day, orally, at the same time of day. You have to take Propecia at regular 24-hour intervals, everyday for as long as you want to continue benefiting from it.
Select a time that's easy for you to remember. If there is something you do at the same time each day, for example brushing your teeth in the morning or taking your lunch break, take your pill then.
Propecia can be taken with or without food.
Also, be sure to read our Propecia tips about additional things you can do to further improve the benefits of Propecia.
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:: What if I miss a dose of Propecia?
If you forget to take your daily dose of Propecia on time, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double your next dose to make up for the missed one.
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:: What should I expect after I take Propecia?
It usually takes about 3 months to be able to notice any results from Propecia. Propecia begins to block the production of DHT in your follicles almost immediately after you start taking it, however, because hair grows slowly (on average, healthy hair grows only about half an inch per month.), it will take some time until you can notice actual results.
After about 3 months of regularly using Propecia, you should expect a slowing in your hair loss.
After about 6 months, you should expect your hair loss to stop. This is when your hair may start regrowing.
After about 12 months, you will know if Propecia is working for you. (It either stopped your hair loss, or actually increased your hair count). If by this time Propecia has not worked, then continuing to use it is unlikely to help. If it did work, it will continue to work for as long as you take it. If you stop taking Propecia, you will most likely start losing your hair again.
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:: How long will Propecia's effect last?
In clinical studies, the beneficial effects of Propecia were seen as early as 3 months after starting the medicine. After two years of regular Propecia treatment, these beneficial effects were still maintained. It was therefore concluded that if Propecia has been effective (and it is for 9 out of 10 men), it will continue to be so for as long as you use it.
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:: How much Propecia can I take, and how often?
You should only take one 1 mg tablet every 24 hours. Try as best as you can to take Propecia at the same time of day to establish a consistent routine.
Taking more than the recommended amount will not work any better, and might possibly harm you.
Try as best as you can to not miss a dose or skip a day. Taking one Propecia tablet at regular 24-hour intervals will sustain the constant blocking of DHT in your hair follicles, and lead to best results. Also, the constant daily dose will ensure stability in your body.
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:: What if I stop taking Propecia?
You have to take Propecia for as long as you want to continue benefiting from it. If you stop taking Propecia, you will most likely start losing your hair again.
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:: How should Propecia be stored?
Store Propecia at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Keep Propecia and all medications out of the reach of children.
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:: What are the possible side-effects of taking Propecia?
Side effects with Propecia are rare. In clinical studies, a very small number of men (less than 2%) experienced certain side effects, such as less desire for sex, difficulty in achieving an erection, and a decrease in the amount of semen. These side effects were reversible and went away in all men who stopped taking Propecia. Also, the occurrence of these side effects diminished with use (In the studies, they decreased from less than 2% to less than 0.3% by the fifth year of treatment).
You should not be concerned that taking Propecia will have adverse effects on your ability to have children. In clinical studies, there was no effect observed on the sperm count or sperm quality (motility or structure) in men treated with 1 mg of Propecia daily for 12 months. Also, exposure of pregnant women to semen from men treated with Propecia poses no risk to the fetus.
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:: Will Propecia make me grow unwanted body hair?
No. In one of the clinical studies, patients were questioned on non-scalp body hair growth, and they reported that Propecia did not appear to affect non-scalp body hair.
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:: What are Propecia's possible drug interactions?
Propecia does not appear to have any significant interactions with other drugs. Drugs that have been tested include antipyrine, digoxin, propanolol, theophylline, and warfarin, and no interactions were found. Discuss this further with your doctor.
Other concomitant therapy: Although specific interaction studies were not performed, Propecia was used in clinical studies with acetaminophen, alpha-blockers, analgesics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, cardiac nitrates, diuretics, H2 antagonists, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors (NSAIDs), and quinolone anti-infectives without evidence of clinically significant adverse interactions.
Only your healthcare provider can tell you for sure if you should take Propecia or not. Inform your healthcare provider, during either a physical or online consultation, about all the medicines you are taking, prescription or over-the-counter, and about any medical conditions you have or have had, including allergies.
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:: What else should I be aware of about Propecia?
Propecia treatment will not prevent or improve hair loss that may occur due to the following:
- use of certain prescription and non-prescription medications
- severe nutritional problems such as very low body iron, or too much vitamin A
intake
- chemotherapy
- diseases that cause scarring of the scalp
- damage from using hair care products that cause scarring or deep burns to the
scalp
- hair grooming practices such as cornrowing or ponytails which require pulling the hair tightly back from the scalp
Since Propecia is metabolized by the liver, it may in some cases lead to hepatitis in men with liver disease. Inform your healthcare provider if you have any liver function problems.
* Warning: Propecia can affect a blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) for the screening of prostate cancer. If you have a PSA test done, you should tell your doctor that you are taking Propecia.
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:: Is Propecia available over the counter?
No. Propecia is currently available by prescription only.
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:: How can I get a Propecia prescription online?
Go to our Propecia price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Propecia prices, no prior prescription required.
Our featured US-based online pharmacies work with US-licensed doctors and pharmacists to provide you with your prescriptions through an online consultation.
If this is your first time ordering Propecia online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: How much does Propecia cost?
Some companies charge less per pill but charge you separately for their consultation and pharmacy dispensing fees. Others include these fees into their final pricing.
RxPriceCheck's featured pharmacies give you a free online medical consultation with your order. Be sure to compare Propecia prices before buying.
Usually, the more tablets you buy, the cheaper the price per tablet is. Also, the tablets cost relatively the same regardless of dosage (25, 50, or 100mg), so for example, if your recommended dosage is 50mg, you can save money by buying the 100mg pills and splitting them in half with a pill cutter.
See our Propecia price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Propecia prices, no prior prescription required.
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:: What is generic Propecia and why should I not buy it?
Generic Propecia is currently illegal and potentially dangerous. You should not buy generic Propecia because it is not approved or regulated by the FDA. Therefore,
- It may be filled with other ingredients that may harm you.
- It may be fake, sold as Propecia, but not containing the active ingredient.
- You will have no guarantee of quality, effectiveness, and safety.
- It is not legal to sell or buy generic Propecia in the United States.
Here are some signs to help you identify illegal generic Propecia:
- The site sells "generic Propecia" or "generic Finasteride".
- The site claims to sell a cheaper form of Propecia.
- The price is cheaper than Propecia, by as much as 70%.
- The pill looks different from Propecia’s tan colored octogonal tablet.
- The product goes by other brand names than "Propecia".
This web site only affiliates with online US pharmacies that work with US licensed physicians and pharmacists, and sell real Propecia brand from Merck. You can therefore choose from our list of online pharmacies with confidence.
See our Propecia price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest costing Propecia, no prior prescription needed.
If this is your first time ordering Propecia online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: Is it safe to order Propecia or other medications from non-US
pharmacies?
Purchasing Propecia from non-US pharmacies can be potentially dangerous. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recommend ordering medications online from pharmacies located outside the US, because it cannot guarantee the origin, quality or safety of the medication, or regulate the manufacturers. Therefore, it may be filled with other ingredients that may harm you, or it may be fake, sold as Propecia, but not contain the active ingredient finasteride.
RxPriceCheck.com only affiliates with online US pharmacies that work with US licensed physicians and pharmacists, and sell brand Propecia approved by the FDA and manufactured by Merck. You can therefore choose from our list of online pharmacies with confidence.
See our Propecia price comparison page where you can select your preferred online US pharmacy with the lowest Propecia prices, no prior prescription required.
If this is your first time ordering Propecia online, see our beginner’s guide , where the process of obtaining a prescription online and ordering your medication is explained.
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:: What if Propecia doesn't work?
According to Merck, the manufacturer of Propecia, you should use Propecia for 3 to 6 months before giving up. Only after about 6 months of taking Propecia daily will you be able to tell if Propecia is working for you or not. If after 12 months of regular use, you did not notice any improvement in your hair, then continuing to use Propecia is useless.
Propecia tends to work best to treat early to moderate hair loss. It is unlikely that men with severe hair loss will see dramatic results with Propecia.
Also, Propecia tends to work best on the top and crown area of the scalp. If you are experiencing receding hairline (balding around your forehead), Propecia still might help you, although there is not enough evidence from clinical studies that Propecia works in the treatment of receding hairline.
* Remember: Not seeing an increase in your hair count does not mean that Propecia is not working. A lot of men do regrow hair from using Propecia, but for most, Propicia helps to decrease and stop hair loss so that you can keep your existing hair. This is why the sooner you start using Propecia, the better your chances of success.
Rogaine as an alternative to Propecia:
If Propecia does not work for you or causes any intolerable side effect, consider using Rogaine (Minoxidil). Rogaine works differently from Propecia, and it may work for you as an alternative. Rogaine, available over-the-counter, is a hair regrowth solution that you apply twice a day directly onto your scalp. There have been no clinical studies comparing the effectiveness of Propecia to Rogaine, but many doctors have been combining Propecia treatment together with Rogaine application to get better results with their hair loss patients. Rogaine is non-prescription, and is available as generic (Minoxidil).
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* The information contained in RxPriceCheck.com is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider regarding your medical condition. All product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View our terms of use .
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