What are the differances? Is one more effective than the other, and is it detrimental to switch from one to the other?

What are the differances? Is one more effective than the other, and is it detrimental to switch from one to the other?

Both are the exact same. The doses will be different but not the drug.

Why is propecia so much more expensive? Is proscar the generic to propecia?

Common question!

Hi guys - i get many emails asking me the difference between Propecia and Proscar.

They are exacly the same drug - Finesteride!

Propecia comes in 1mg form
Proscar comes in 5mg form

All you need to do is break Proscar down into 5ths and you've got exactly the same thing as propecia.

Proscar works out much much cheaper hence why we take it over propecia.

__________________
Best
SPEX

Consultant for Dr. Feller, Coalition Member and Dr. Lindsey, Coalition Member.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own. "Research-Research-Research"

My Hair Loss Blog with Pictures

Is proscar an over the counter drug or do you still need a RX?

Proscar is a prescription drug and you will need to ask your doctor (primary care or dermatologist) specifically to prescribe it over Propecia.

Many doctors will not give you a prescription as prescribing proscar (prostate drug) for hair loss is considered "off label". Proscar is exactly the same as Propecia, but a higher dose that you will need to cut. And proscar is a LOT cheaper than Propecia. Merck, the manufacturer of Propecia, knows that men want this drug so literally are trying to make as much money as they can on it until the patent expires.

So, try your best to get Proscar as it will save you $$$$'s.

Eman

__________________
My initial HT thread:
done and done!! Check it out...

Thanks! But doesnt Merck also make Proscar? So it's kind of a win/win situation for them anyways. It seems doctors dont care to much these days anyway. They are going to prescribe RX's that will give them the biggest kickback. I dont know about other peoples docs, but for the most part all i have to do is show interest in a RX and my doc is all over it.

I think the drug Proscar hasn't been proven (or even tested) to grow hair, and Propecia has. Now, granted they are the same thing but since Propecia has the FDA approval for growing hair they can charge more for it.

So, while Merck makes both, obviously Propecia has a much higher profit margin because of this FDA approval for this use.

And I'm not so sure doctors get kickbacks from pharma companies. I know they get wined and dined a little, but I don't buy the argument they'll get monetary gains for this.

Besides, there is more you have to do with the Proscar: break in into parts, take it 3x a week, have your PSA test doubled, etc. so it's not just exactly the same - even though it is the same.

Owning some stock in Merck, I can tell you they aren't experts at making money anyway so I wouldn't even bet they're that smart...

__________________
100? 'mini' grapfts by Latham's Hair Clinic - 1991 (Removed 50 plugs by Cooley 3/08.)
2750 FU 3/20/08 by Dr. Cooley

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Cooley

Current regimen:
1.66 mg Proscar M-W-F
Rogaine 5% Foam - every now and then
AndroGel - once daily
Lipitor - 5 mg every other day
Weightlifting - 2x per week
Jogging - 3x per week

Also, one might say "why doesn't Merck just split up the Proscar to make it cheaper, ....."

Well, it's very expensive to do all the testing required to prove something will work, thus they are allowed a patent on that particular drug for some time to recoup their enormous cost. If this weren't the way it worked, there wouldn't be much in the way of testing imo.

I've got a buddy who works for PPD in Wilmington, NC and that's all the company does - testing for large pharma companies. And they employ 1,000 people plus staffs of Ph.D's attorney's, etc. so it's an expensive business.

__________________
100? 'mini' grapfts by Latham's Hair Clinic - 1991 (Removed 50 plugs by Cooley 3/08.)
2750 FU 3/20/08 by Dr. Cooley

My Hair Loss Website - Hair Transplant with Dr. Cooley

Current regimen:
1.66 mg Proscar M-W-F
Rogaine 5% Foam - every now and then
AndroGel - once daily
Lipitor - 5 mg every other day
Weightlifting - 2x per week
Jogging - 3x per week