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Compare Proscar vs. Propecia

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

  • Finasteride (Proscar)
    Finasteride (Propecia)
  • Finasteride (Proscar)
    Finasteride (Propecia)

  • Summary of Proscar vs. Propecia

    Summary for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    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.

    Summary for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Prescription only

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

  • Indications of Proscar vs. Propecia

    Indications for

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

    •Relieves urinary symptoms
    •Lessens the need for prostate surgery
    Indications for
    •Male pattern baldness

  • Pros and Cons of Proscar vs. Propecia

    Pros and Const for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works to relieve symptoms in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
    •Doesn’t interact with many medications
    •Can be used in people who have kidney problems
    Cons
    •Some men might have sexual side effects like inability to have an erection
    •Typically used as a long-term therapy
    •Requires regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests
    Pros and Const for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Pros
    •FDA approved specifically for male pattern hair loss
    •Taken by mouth once per day
    •Can slow hair loss and support regrowth
    Cons
    •Takes 3 months or longer to see the full benefits
    •Hair loss typically returns if stopped
    •Might cause sexual side effects

  • Common Side Effects of Proscar vs. Propecia

    Common Side Effects for

    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).

    Common Side Effects for
    •Lower sex drive (2%)
    •Erectile dysfunction (1%)
    •Ejaculation problems (1%)

  • Warnings of Proscar vs. Propecia

    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
    •High-risk prostate cancer
    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby boy
    •Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
    •Risk of prostate cancer

  • Prices with our coupons for Proscar vs. Propecia

    Learn more about Finasteride
    Learn more about Finasteride

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