Finasteride, the generic form of Propecia, reduces DHT and can slow male pattern hair loss or improve growth. The FDA-approved hair-loss dose is 1 mg once daily. Results take months and vary. Bidwell's licensed clinicians review visits seven days a week; the visit is $45, with medication paid separately at the chosen pharmacy.
Finasteride inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. Lowering DHT can help susceptible scalp follicles, but does not treat every cause of shedding. Evidence of benefit at the temples is more limited than at the crown and anterior mid-scalp. The 1 mg prescribing information describes the studied areas and outcomes.
Propecia is the 1 mg hair-loss product; Proscar is the 5 mg product for an enlarged prostate. Generic 1 mg finasteride is available. Those doses and indications are not interchangeable, and Bidwell's hair-loss visit does not treat BPH.
A clinician may consider finasteride through Bidwell if you:
Finasteride is not appropriate for alopecia areata (autoimmune patchy hair loss), scarring alopecia, post-chemotherapy hair loss, telogen effluvium (stress or postpartum shed), or traction alopecia. If your pattern doesn't match androgenetic alopecia, the reviewing provider may recommend a dermatology referral.
Discuss liver disease, mood symptoms, fertility plans, prostate symptoms and PSA testing before starting. Finasteride can lower PSA, but the amount varies by dose and person. A clinician should interpret the result and evaluate a confirmed rise from the lowest value on treatment. Do not automatically double your own result.
| Indication | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Androgenetic alopecia | 1 mg orally once daily | Any time of day; with or without food. Consistency matters. |
| BPH (Proscar) | 5 mg orally once daily | Bidwell does not prescribe for BPH via our hair-loss intake; see your urologist or PCP. |
Take the prescribed 1 mg tablet once daily, with or without food. A regular daily cue can help. If you forget a tablet, take the next tablet as usual; do not take an extra dose. More frequent dosing does not make it work faster.
Clinical response is slow. Hair doesn't grow fast, and the miniaturization process takes time to reverse:
In first-year trials, 3.8% of men taking finasteride and 2.1% taking placebo reported one or more sexual adverse effects. The individual rates below are trial findings; later reports such as breast, mood, testicular or allergic symptoms do not have reliably estimable frequencies.
Sexual symptoms that continue after stopping have been reported. Their frequency and mechanism are uncertain. Report bothersome symptoms rather than pushing through or changing the dose yourself. Topical finasteride is not an FDA-approved, risk-free workaround: compounded products can be absorbed systemically and transferred to others. Read the FDA alert.
The label includes a high-grade prostate-cancer warning from the prevention study of 5 mg finasteride: 1.8% versus 1.1% with placebo. That is not an estimate for the 1 mg hair-loss dose, but it should not be dismissed. Finasteride is not approved to prevent prostate cancer.
| Formulation | Quantity | Pharmacy pricing note |
|---|---|---|
| Finasteride 1 mg (generic) | 30-day supply | Varies by pharmacy, insurance, and discount-card pricing |
| Finasteride 1 mg (generic) | 90-day supply | Varies by pharmacy, insurance, and discount-card pricing |
| Finasteride 5 mg | BPH formulation | Not the standard hair-loss prescription. Do not split or substitute tablets without your prescriber's directions. |
| Propecia (brand) | 30-day supply | Usually more expensive than generic options |
Generic finasteride is therapeutically equivalent to branded Propecia and is commonly less expensive. Compare pharmacy prices at GoodRx or through your pharmacy plan. Your cash-pay Bidwell visit covers the clinical review; the pharmacy fill is separate.
You must be physically located in one of these states at the time of your visit.
Yes. It's routinely prescribed via telehealth after a licensed clinician reviews a hair-loss intake. Bidwell reviews intakes 7 days a week, including weekends. The online visit is $45.
Finasteride usually needs at least three months before benefit is observed. Some men see changes over six to twelve months, while others do not respond. Stabilization is useful even without regrowth. New, sudden or patchy shedding should be assessed rather than called proof that the medicine is working.
1 mg once daily, any time of day, with or without food. The 5 mg tablet is for BPH.
It can be appropriate for selected adult men, but it has real risks. First-year trial sexual symptoms occurred in 3.8% with finasteride versus 2.1% with placebo. Persistent sexual symptoms after stopping and depression or suicidal thoughts have also been reported. A clinician should review the individual benefits and risks.
The first-year combined rate for decreased libido, erectile dysfunction or ejaculation disorder was 3.8% with finasteride versus 2.1% with placebo. Persistent symptoms after stopping have been reported, but those reports cannot establish frequency. Report sexual symptoms promptly; stop finasteride 1 mg and seek medical advice for mood changes.
Finasteride is contraindicated in pregnancy and is not part of Bidwell's treatment for women. A person who is or could be pregnant must not handle broken or crushed tablets. Intact coating prevents contact during normal handling.
Finasteride cost varies by pharmacy, quantity, insurance, and discount-card pricing. Generic finasteride is typically less expensive than brand Propecia.
Hair gained on treatment is lost over 6–12 months as scalp DHT returns to baseline. Long-term continuous use is what maintains results.
A clinician may recommend a combination because minoxidil does not block DHT. The route and dose matter, and each drug adds its own risks. Bidwell's current hair-loss prescriptions are oral options; topical minoxidil is available over the counter. Do not add oral and topical minoxidil together without medical advice.
Dutasteride is an off-label oral option with a much longer half-life and its own risks. Topical minoxidil is an FDA-approved nonprescription option for men. Compounded topical finasteride is not FDA-approved and can have systemic effects. See our finasteride versus dutasteride comparison before discussing a change.
These sources support the medication facts and research discussed above. Study results apply to the doses and populations tested; they do not guarantee an individual outcome.