The similarity of these two hair loss drugs often causes confusion and leads many men to ask which is most effective for stopping the loss of their hair
The first and most important point to make is that both Proscar and Propecia are manufactured by the same company (Merck), and both contain the same active ingredient, Finasteride.
So how are they different?
The difference lies in the intended use of the two drugs, and subsequently the dosage of Finasteride that each contains.
Propecia is designed primarily as a hair loss solution, with each tablet containing 1mg of Finasteride.
Proscar on the other hand contains 5mg of Finasteride, and is intended for men with enlarged prostates. The drug prevents the conversion of naturally occurring testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which can cause an enlarged prostate and later, a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, otherwise known as BPH or prostate cancer.
Whereas the role of Propecia is intended to be cosmetic (i.e preventing or reducing hair loss), Proscar has a much more serious purpose and has undoubtedly prevented many thousands of men from developing prostate cancer.
Will Proscar prevent hair loss?
There is no evidence to suggest that a 5mg dose of Finasteride is more effective at preventing hair loss than a 1mg dose. Proscar therefore stands the same chance of preventing hair loss as Propecia.
Why not buy Proscar and split the tablets?
Proscar and Propecia are similarly priced, therefore in theory it would be more cost-effective to buy Proscar and split the tablets as you need them. If you choose to do so, bear in mind that no-one (including HIS) would recommend this as it would be impossible to know exactly what dosage you’d be taking each time.
What about the potential side effects?
Propecia usage has long been associated with undesirable side effects in some users, including reduced sexual function. Proscar is likely to carry the same risk, although it is not clear whether the increased dose of Finasteride has any influence on the extent of this risk. For more information about the potential side effects, see the following video and the links at the bottom of this page.
For more information please see the following links:
