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Proscar vs. Propecia

Finasteride (Proscar) is a medication used alone or with doxazosin (Cardura) to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s typically recommended for those with an enlarged prostate who also have symptoms, such as problems urinating. But it can take up to 6 months to work. Luckily, the medication comes as a lower-cost generic option.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

• Relieves urinary symptoms
• Lessens the need for prostate surgery

Finasteride (Proscar) daily treatment by itself:

• Inability to have an erection (5-8%)
• Lower sex drive (3-6%)
• Decrease in ejaculation amount (2-4%)

Finasteride (Proscar) taken with doxazosin (Cardura)*:

• Dizziness (23%)
• Inability to have an erection (23%)
• Low blood pressure when getting up (18%)
• Feeling tired (17%)
• Abnormal ejaculation (14%)
• Lower sex drive (12%)

*Since both finasteride (Proscar) and doxazosin (Cardura) were both taken daily, side effects might not be entirely due to finasteride (Proscar).

• Harm to unborn baby
• Lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
• High-risk prostate cancer

Finasteride (brand name Propecia) is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness in adult men. It works by lowering levels of a hormone in your body that's linked to hair loss. You take it by mouth once a day, with or without food. Common side effects can include sexual problems, such as a lower sex drive, trouble getting or keeping an erection, or less semen during ejaculation.

Note: Finasteride (Propecia) is different from finasteride (Proscar) used to treat enlarged prostate.

• Male pattern baldness

• Lower sex drive (2%)
• Erectile dysfunction (1%)
• Ejaculation problems (1%)

• Harm to unborn baby boy
• Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
• Risk of prostate cancer