Generic Finasteride

Generic finasteride comes in two strengths: finasteride 1 mg and finasteride 5 mg. The 1 mg dose is used to treat male pattern baldness and is not available in pharmacies yet. The 5 mg dose is used for treating an enlarged prostate and is currently available.

 

Generic Finasteride: An Overview

Finasteride (marked under the brand names Propecia® and Proscar®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed for the following uses:
 
  • Male pattern baldness treatment

 

Proscar and Propecia were originally developed by Merck & Co., Inc. They have since come off patent, making them available as generics.
 

Generic Finasteride: Strengths

Generic Proscar is available in one strength -- finasteride 5 mg. Generic Propecia is also available in one strength -- finasteride 1 mg. Generic Proscar and generic Propecia are not interchangeable. The 5 mg strength is used for the treatment of BPH, while the 1 mg strength is used for the treatment of male pattern baldness.
 
(Click Propecia and Proscar for more information on the differences between Proscar and Propecia.)
 

Who Makes Generic Finasteride?

The finasteride generic for Proscar (Finasteride 5 mg tablets) is currently manufactured by the following companies:
 
  • Ivax Pharmaceuticals
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals
  • Gedeon Richter, USA
  • Mylan Laboratories.
     
The finasteride generic for Propecia (Finasteride 1 mg tablets) is not yet available in pharmacies but will be made by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;