Finasteride vs. Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss: 4 Differences to Consider
Saw palmetto and finasteride work similarly for hair loss, but their effectiveness and side effects differ. Read a comparison of finasteride versus saw palmetto here.
finasteride
Used for Hair Loss
Used for Hair Loss
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.
What is Finasteride (Propecia)?
What is Finasteride (Propecia) used for?
How Finasteride (Propecia) works
Finasteride (Propecia) is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, meaning it blocks a protein called 5-alpha reductase. This protein turns testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT can shrink hair follicles and lead to hair loss.
By blocking 5-alpha reductase, finasteride (Propecia) lowers DHT levels in the scalp. This helps slow hair loss and can support hair growth.
When does Finasteride (Propecia) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Propecia |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Finasteride (Propecia) essentials
Side effects of Finasteride (Propecia)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Lower sex drive (2%)
- Erectile dysfunction (1%)
- Ejaculation problems (1%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Rash
- Itching
- Breast tenderness
When do Finasteride (Propecia) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Lower sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Ejaculation problems
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
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The following Finasteride (Propecia) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chills
cold sweats
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
Less common
Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
breast enlargement and tenderness
hives or welts, itching, skin rash
rapid weight gain
redness of the skin
swelling of the lips and face
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Incidence not known
Clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
dimpling of the breast skin
inverted nipple
lump in the breast or under the arm
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
redness or swelling of the breast
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
Incidence not known
Testicular pain
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Finasteride (Propecia)
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
Pharmacist tips for Finasteride (Propecia)
- Take finasteride (Propecia) once a day, with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, try taking it with food to help reduce discomfort.
- It can take 3 months or longer to see improvement with finasteride (Propecia). Continue to take it every day to maintain results. If the medication is stopped, hair loss will likely return within about 1 year.
- Finasteride (Propecia) can cause sexual side effects. These can include a lower sex drive, trouble getting or keeping an erection, or less semen during ejaculation. Tell your prescriber if you notice these symptoms.
- Contact your prescriber if you notice breast changes while taking finasteride (Propecia). Symptoms like lumps, pain, or nipple discharge should be checked right away.
- Be aware that a rare condition called post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) can happen with finasteride (Propecia). With this condition, side effects continue for at least 3 months after stopping the medication and might include sexual, physical, or mental health symptoms. Contact your prescriber if you have ongoing side effects after stopping treatment.
- Pregnancy: Pregnant women, women who can become pregnant, or women trying to become pregnant shouldn't touch broken or crushed finasteride (Propecia) tablets. The medication can be absorbed through the skin and might harm an unborn baby boy. If broken or crushed tablets are accidentally touched, the area should be washed right away with soap and water.
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Risks and warnings for Finasteride (Propecia)
Finasteride (Propecia) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby boy
Pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant shouldn't handle or touch crushed or broken finasteride (Propecia) tablets. That's because the medication can be absorbed through the skin and can harm an unborn baby boy. If broken or crushed tablets are accidentally touched, the area should be washed right away with soap and water.
Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
Finasteride (Propecia) can lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which might affect the accuracy of prostate cancer tests. Your prescriber might check your PSA levels before you start treatment and during treatment. If your PSA level rises at any time during treatment, it could be a sign of prostate cancer. Be sure to keep your appointments and complete any blood tests your prescriber orders to monitor your PSA levels.
Risk of prostate cancer
5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride (Propecia) might increase the risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer. It’s not known whether this possible risk is due to the medication shrinking the prostate or other factors.
Finasteride (Propecia) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 1mg of Finasteride (Propecia) is $9.91 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 85.55% off the average retail price of $68.57. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1mg | 30 tablets | $9.91 | $0.33 |
Typical dosage for Finasteride (Propecia)
The typical dose is 1 mg (1 tablet) by mouth once per day.
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Interactions between Finasteride (Propecia) and other drugs
Finasteride (Propecia) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Finasteride (Propecia). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Finasteride (Propecia) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- St John's Wort
How much does Finasteride (Propecia) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Finasteride (Propecia) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Finasteride (Propecia) will not be safe for you to take.
- Pregnant or possibly pregnant
What are alternatives to Finasteride (Propecia)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Finasteride (Propecia). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Finasteride (Propecia) images
