Generic Propecia - finasteride - is an androgen hormone inhibitor used to treat hair loss. In 1997, the FDA approved the first pill to treat male pattern hair loss. Propecia - finasteride - is a tablet taken once a day, available by doctor's prescription only.

The chemical name of Propecia is known as Finasteride. When a new drug is developed, the pharmaceutical company will give its drug a brand name and a chemical name. Propecia is the brand name, while Finasteride is the chemical name. "Propecia 1 mg" and "Generic Propecia 1 mg" have exactly the same ingredient, 1 mg of Finasteride.


 

FAQ

How does Propecia work?
The causes of hair loss are not well defined; however, researchers have found that men with male pattern hair loss have increased levels of DHT in the balding area of their scalps.

Science has found a way to affect DHT with a prescription taken once a day in tablet form: Propecia, Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia) blocks the formation of DHT and, in this way, appears to interrupt a key factor in the development of inherited male pattern hair loss in men. Propecia has been proven to effectively lower DHT in the scalp.

Propecia (or generic Propecia, which has the same ingredient) helps grow natural hair, not just "peach fuzz," and is as convenient to take as a vitamin: one pill a day.

Propecia dosing
The recommended dosage is 1 mg once a day. Propecia may be administered with or without meals.
In general, daily use for three months or more is necessary before benefit is observed. Continued use is recommended to sustain benefit, which should be re-evaluated periodically. Withdrawal of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12 months.

Propecia side effects
Like all prescription drugs, Propecia may cause side effects. In clinical studies, side effects from Finasteride were uncommon and did not affect most men. A very small number of men experienced certain sexual side effects, such as: less desire for sex; difficulty in achieving an erection; and a decrease in the amount of semen. Each of these side effects occurred in less than 2% of men. These side effects were reversible and went away in men who stopped taking Propecia. These side effects also disappeared in most men (58%) who continued taking Finasteride.

Special warnings about Propecia
Before using Propecia, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: liver disease, prostate cancer, urinary tract disease, drug allergies. Finasteride can be absorbed through the skin. If the film coating of the tablet has been broken or the tablet crushed, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or plans to become pregnant. Any contact with finasteride by a developing male fetus could result in abnormalities of the external sex organs. Finasteride should not be used in women or children.