If you’re looking at treatment options for your prostate condition or hair loss, you may want to learn more about finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).
Finasteride is a generic prescription drug that’s used in adult males* with:
Finasteride belongs to a group of drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. It comes as a tablet you take by mouth.
Finasteride is also available in two brand-name versions: Propecia and Proscar.
Keep reading to for details about finasteride and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details about finasteride, see this in-depth article.
* In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.
The price you pay for finasteride can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out how much you’ll pay for finasteride, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
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Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about finasteride and cost.
Will the cost of finasteride depend on the strength I use (1 mg or 5 mg)?
Yes, it’s possible that the cost of finasteride may change based on the strength you’re taking. The cost of finasteride may also depend on which pharmacy you use and if you have insurance (and if so, whether your insurance plan covers the medication).
For specific information about finasteride, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine what the cost of the drug will be for you.
How much does a finasteride prescription cost per month?
The amount you pay each month for your finasteride prescription can depend on several factors. These may include:
- the strength of your prescription
- how many tablets you get in your prescription
- which pharmacy you use
- your insurance coverage
- your treatment plan
To learn exactly how much your finasteride prescription will cost you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
It’s also possible that getting a 90-day supply of finasteride may be cheaper than getting a 30-day supply. Your doctor or pharmacist can help determine if you could save money by getting 90-day prescriptions instead.
If you’re concerned about paying for this drug, see the “Can I get help paying for finasteride?” section below for resources.
Is finasteride covered by insurance?
It depends on your insurance plan. Your pharmacist can help determine if finasteride is covered for you.
If you don’t have insurance (or if your insurance doesn’t cover finasteride) and you need help paying for your medication, there are resources available. To learn more, see the “Can I get help paying for finasteride?” section below.
Generic finasteride comes in brand-name versions called Proscar or Propecia. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
To find out how the costs of Proscar or Propecia and generic finasteride compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed generic finasteride, and you’re interested in taking Proscar or Propecia instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may not cover all versions of the drug.
If you take finasteride long term, you may be able to lower the costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of finasteride if your insurance company approves it. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of finasteride. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower the cost of finasteride. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through 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 help covering the cost of finasteride or understanding your insurance plan, check out these websites:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details about drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have questions about how you can pay for finasteride, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of finasteride, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. If you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk to your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for finasteride.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- If I can’t afford finasteride, what other treatment options are available for my condition?
- If I take a lower dosage of finasteride, will that save me money?
- What will my out-of-pocket costs (such as a copay) be for finasteride?
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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 another 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.