Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Lasix vs. Propecia

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Furosemide (Lasix) and finasteride (Propecia) are both prescription medications, but they serve very different purposes. Furosemide is a diuretic, also known as a water pill, that helps reduce swelling and lower blood pressure by making you urinate more. It's available in both tablet and liquid forms. On the other hand, finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor used to treat male pattern baldness by preventing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can cause hair loss. Finasteride is taken as a tablet once daily. While furosemide can cause side effects like frequent urination, dizziness, and dehydration, finasteride may lead to sexual side effects such as low sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Additionally, finasteride is not recommended for use by pregnant women due to the risk of birth defects, whereas furosemide requires caution in people with kidney or liver problems. Both medications have generic versions available, making them more affordable.

  • Furosemide (Lasix)
    Finasteride (Propecia)
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
    Finasteride (Propecia)

  • Summary of Lasix vs. Propecia

    Summary for Diuretic (water pill)
    Prescription only

    Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic, a type of water pill. Furosemide (Lasix) is used to relieve swelling from extra fluids in children and adults. This medication can also lower blood pressure, though it's not a first-choice option for this condition. Furosemide (Lasix) comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. It's also available as an oral solution for people who've trouble swallowing tablets. Furosemide (Lasix) will cause you to urinate more often as a side effect, so it's best to not take this medication too close to bedtime.

    Summary for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Finasteride 1 mg (also known by its brand name Propecia) is used to prevent and treat hair loss. It isn't the same as finasteride 5 mg (brand name Proscar), which is used for enlarged prostate. Finasteride (Propecia) is taken by mouth once per day and is available by prescription only. Side effects aren't common, but typically include sexual problems (e.g., low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, lower ejaculation volume).

  • Indications of Lasix vs. Propecia

    Indications for
    •Swelling (edema) due to heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
    •High blood pressure
    Indications for
    •Male pattern baldness due to hormones (androgenetic alopecia) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Lasix vs. Propecia

    Pros and Const for Diuretic (water pill)
    Pros
    •Starts working within an hour after you take it
    •Available in liquid form for children or people who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Not a good choice for people with a sulfa allergy
    •Might cause you to urinate in the middle of the night if you take it later in the day
    •Can make you more dizzy and raise your risk for falling down
    Pros and Const for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well to grow hair in males who are balding
    •Taken by mouth once per day
    •Doesn't have a lot of side effects
    Cons
    •Not a cure; hair loss will come back after stopping finasteride (Propecia)
    •Takes 3 months or longer to see the full benefits
    •Can cause sexual problems (e.g., lower sex drive, difficulty keeping an erection, low ejaculation volume)

  • Common Side Effects of Lasix vs. Propecia

    Common Side Effects for
    •Urinating more often
    •Dizziness
    •Headache
    •Feeling off balance when you get up suddenly
    •Skin sensitive to the sun
    Common Side Effects for
    •Lower sex drive (2%)
    •Erectile dysfunction (1%)
    •Ejaculation problems (1%)

  • Warnings of Lasix vs. Propecia

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
    •Caution in people with liver problems
    •Hearing problems
    •Problems with urination
    •Allergic reaction
    •Gout
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of harm to babies
    •Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels

  • Prices with our coupons for Lasix vs. Propecia

    Learn more about Furosemide
    Learn more about Finasteride

Compare other Edema and Hair Loss drugs

Bumex vs LasixCarospir vs LasixDiamox vs LasixEnalapril vs LasixLasix vs AldactoneLasix vs AmiodaroneLasix vs ChlorthalidoneLasix vs DemadexLasix vs DyazideLasix vs EdecrinLasix vs EplerenoneLasix vs InspraLasix vs KeppraLasix vs LisinoprilLasix vs PropeciaLasix vs ProscarLasix vs SpironolactoneLasix vs ThalitoneMannitol vs LasixNeptazene vs LasixTimolol vs LasixTrusopt vs LasixEnalapril vs AltaceEnalapril vs AtacandEnalapril vs AvaproEnalapril vs BenicarEnalapril vs ChlorthalidoneEnalapril vs DiovanEnalapril vs EdecrinEnalapril vs Felodipine
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.