Generic Propecia: An Overview
Propecia® (
finasteride) is a prescription medication that has been licensed to treat male pattern baldness. It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), thereby decreasing the amount of DHT in the body. Since DHT is important for male pattern baldness, using Propecia to decrease levels can help to stop hair loss and regrow hair.
Propecia was originally developed by Merck & Co., Inc. It has since come off-patent, and a generic version is now available. A generic version of Propecia is licensed for sale, but it is not yet available in pharmacies.
Generic Propecia should be available in pharmacies soon. It will be sold under the name finasteride and is available in one strength -- finasteride 1 mg tablets.
Finasteride 5 mg tablets are currently available, but this strength is the generic version of
Proscar®, a medication used for treating an
enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or
BPH for short). The 5-mg strength is not the correct dose for hair loss treatment.
Who Makes Generic Propecia?
The generic version of Propecia is currently manufactured by Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc.