Finasteride is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it for use in adult males* to:
- treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- reduce the risk of needing surgery for an enlarged prostate that’s caused by BPH
- be used in combination with the drug doxazosin to help reduce the risk of BPH getting worse over time
- treat male pattern hair loss
For more information about finasteride’s uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Drug details
Here are some details on finasteride:
- Drug class: 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
- Drug form: oral tablet
- Brand-name versions: Proscar (for BPH) and Propecia (for male pattern hair loss)
Read on to learn about finasteride and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of finasteride can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out what the cost of finasteride will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Save on finasteride with an Rx coupon from Optum Perks
No membership needed, anyone can use
Search and compare prices for your prescriptionFind the lowest price
Free, easy to use coupon cardDelivered digitally today
Redeem at a local pharmacyAccepted at 64,000+ pharmacies
Enter your information:
Location
47201
Dosage
5mg finasteride (30 Tablets)
Save on your finasteride prescription
Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy and instantly save without using insurance. The coupon doesn't expire so be sure to save it for use with refills.
Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.
Pricing source:Perks.optum.com
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about price and finasteride.
How much does the 1-mg strength of finasteride cost?
The cost you pay for the 1-milligram (mg) strength of finasteride will vary depending on several factors, including your insurance coverage.
To find out how much the 1-mg strength of finasteride costs, talk with your pharmacist. They can help determine the price you’ll pay for the strength and form of finasteride your doctor has prescribed for you.
How can I determine if finasteride is covered by insurance and what the cost is?
Talk with your pharmacist to determine if finasteride is covered by insurance and what the cost is.
The cost you pay for finasteride can vary based on different factors, including whether or not you have insurance and what pharmacy you use. Your pharmacist can help determine whether your insurance covers finasteride and what cost you’ll pay.
You can also contact your insurance provider directly and ask if it covers finasteride.
What’s the price of finasteride in topical form?
Finasteride doesn’t come in topical form. Finasteride is available only as an oral tablet.
However, your doctor may prescribe finasteride with topical minoxidil (Rogaine) as a combination treatment for male pattern hair loss.
If you have questions about the use of finasteride with topical minoxidil, talk with your doctor. Your pharmacist may be able to help you determine the cost.
Finasteride is a generic drug, which is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Finasteride is available as two different brand-name drugs called Proscar and Propecia. It’s important to note that Proscar and Propecia are approved for treating different conditions.
Proscar is approved for use in adult males* to:
- treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- reduce the risk of needing surgery for an enlarged prostate that’s caused by BPH
- be used in combination with the drug doxazosin to help reduce the risk of BPH getting worse over time
Propecia is approved to treat male pattern hair loss.
These brand-name products come in different strengths. Proscar is available in a 5-milligram (mg) strength, while Propecia comes in a 1-mg strength.
To find out how the cost of Proscar or Propecia compares with the cost of finasteride, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed finasteride and you’re interested in using a brand-name product instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Keep reading to learn more about ways to reduce your long-term drug costs with finasteride.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of finasteride. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Finasteride may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for finasteride, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details on drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and finasteride, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and finasteride. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for finasteride.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles on Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- Save money. Explore this article for tips on how to save money on prescriptions.
- More details. For details about other aspects of finasteride, refer to this article.
- Information on your condition. For more information on men’s health, see our men’s health hub. To learn more about prostate health, see our list of related articles. For details on male pattern hair loss, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.