The patent for generic Propecia expired in the late 2013, so ever since 2014, a number of different manufacturers begun work on the generic versions of this highly efficient hair loss treatment. Today, just within the UK there are multiple generic versions on the market, with most popular being Finasteride 1mg and Aindeem, manufactured by Actavis.

What’s on this page?

Aside from its success in the treatment of male pattern baldness, the active ingredient of Propecia, finasteride has also achieved amazing results in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (of BPH for short, also commonly known as enlarged prostate) where it is administered in a significantly larger dose, up to five times higher as opposed to treatment of alopecia.

If you are buying finasteride-based medicine online, it is very important to pay attention to the dose of the medicine of your choice, since taking higher dosages will not yield better results regarding hair loss treatment, but will, on the contrary, significantly increase the chances of getting affected by unwanted side effects.

What is finasteride?

Finasteride is the name of the active ingredient of Propecia and all its generic versions. With a unique mechanism of action, this pharmaceutical compound is classified as type II 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. This means that it produces the desired effects by inhibiting the activity of 5-A-R enzyme which plays a crucial role in the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT for short). While this transformation is perfectly normal and it naturally happens in men, DHT is a substance that plays a crucial role in hair loss. By slowing down this process, finasteride slows down the rate of hair loss too.

Propecia versus Finasteride? What are the differences?

These two medicines are virtually identical, both in terms of their active ingredient, its concentration, intended use, possible side effects and other relevant factors. Propecia was the medicine that was developed first and patented under said brand name, while Finasteride, usually marketed as Finasteride 1mg is a generic version of the same medicine.

The brand name that the medicine was initially sold under is commonly called “the original” drug. This form of the medicine is protected as a patent, meaning that only the pharmaceutical company that holds the patent and that originally manufactured the medicine can continue to produce and sell it. However, once the patent expires for a certain drug, other competitors may start producing the medicine, provided they can prove bioequivalence of their product.

Bioequivalence denotes the situation in which generic version is identical to branded one in terms of active ingredients, their concentration and intended use. On the other hand, non-active ingredients, also known as excipient ingredients, such as coating, flavours or other additives can be different, as long as they don’t have an impact on the clinical properties of the medicine.

The only notable differences between branded and generic medicines is the name and, of course, the cost, with branded medicines being significantly more costly than generic versions.

Can Finasteride really cure my hair loss?

First of all, it is important to make a difference between a treatment and a cure – and Finasteride 1mg, just like all other generic Propecia medicines, belong to the former category. It means that will slow down the rate of hair loss (by reducing the levels of DHT), but it will not stop, nor reverse the process. For the time being, modern medicine still can’t provide us with a cure for hair loss as this is a natural phenomenon that affects almost all men at some point in their life.

Finasteride also can’t be called hair growth medicine – it is true that some patients do report regrowth over the course of the treatment, but once Finasteride is no longer used, DHT levels will eventually return to pre-treatment levels. Subsequently, the hair loss process will continue with the same speed and all hair that might have regrown over the course of the treatment will disappear again within six months to a year.

Can I buy Finasteride (generic Propecia) online?

Just like branded Propecia, all its generic versions, Finasteride 1mg included, are prescription-only medicine, so you will need to go to consultations with your doctor in order to legally obtain them. However, just because these are prescription-only medicines doesn’t mean that you can’t buy them online!

Many online pharmacies and online clinics offer the service of digital consultations with a certified medical professional. You will be presented with a specialized and customized questionnaire on the online clinic’s website. Your answers will be used by the doctor to determine whether you’re suitable for the treatment. If you get approval, the prescription will be issued and automatically used to send your medicine right to your doorstep or whatever address you provided.