Finasteride Brand Names: Propecia vs Proscar vs Generic

Below: what each brand is for, how they differ, why the generic is the same drug, and what each costs. We do not give doses. Your prescriber picks the product and the amount.

The finasteride brand names at a glance

The approval dates for Propecia and Proscar come from the FDA. Entadfi's year comes from its DailyMed label.

Propecia: the hair loss brand

Propecia is the brand made for hair loss. Its label says it treats "male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in MEN ONLY" (DailyMed: Propecia label). Androgenetic alopecia is the medical name for male pattern hair loss. The label adds that "PROPECIA is not indicated for use in women."

The label describes the tablets as "tan, octagonal, film-coated convex tablets" with a P logo on one side. Organon is the company named on the current label.

Propecia lowers DHT, a hormone made from testosterone. In men with pattern hair loss, DHT slowly shrinks hair roots on the top of the head. The label says "daily use for three months or more is necessary before benefit is observed" (DailyMed: Propecia label).

Proscar: the prostate brand

Proscar is the same drug at a higher strength. It treats benign prostatic hyperplasia, which means an enlarged prostate that is not cancer. Its label says it treats "symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate" (DailyMed: Proscar label). Hair loss is not on the Proscar label.

The label describes "blue, modified apple-shaped, film-coated tablets" with "MSD 72" on one side. It also says "PROSCAR is not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer."

Some men ask about using Proscar for hair because it is the same molecule. That is a question about strength and dosing, which only a prescriber should answer. One safety point applies to both brands: women who are or may be pregnant should not handle broken or crushed tablets.

Entadfi: finasteride plus tadalafil

Entadfi is a newer brand. It puts finasteride and tadalafil, the drug in Cialis, in one capsule. Its label says it is "indicated to initiate treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate for up to 26 weeks" (DailyMed: Entadfi label). In plain words: it is for starting prostate treatment, for up to six months. It is not a hair loss product.

Is generic finasteride the same as Propecia?

Yes, for an FDA-approved generic. The FDA says "A generic medicine is required to be the same as a brand-name medicine in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality, as well as in the way it is taken" (FDA: generic drug facts).

So a generic finasteride tablet at the hair loss strength is the same drug as Propecia. A generic at the prostate strength is the same drug as Proscar. The tablet may look different, since color and shape are not part of the rule. The FDA adds that generics "have the same risks and benefits as their brand-name counterparts."

One thing is not a generic: compounded topical finasteride. Sprays, gels and solutions are mixed by a pharmacy. The FDA says "Currently, there is no FDA-approved topical formulation of finasteride" (FDA alert). Our topical vs oral finasteride guide explains the difference.

Brand vs generic finasteride cost

The online programs we track sell generic finasteride tablets, not brand Propecia. None of them lists a brand Propecia price. If you want the brand, ask a retail pharmacy for its cash price, or check your insurer's formulary.

Generic tablets are where the low prices are:

Prices are live from our price table, each read on the seller's own page. Every finasteride plan and its read date is on our finasteride price page and our hair loss price page. For the cheapest routes, see finasteride cost.

Does insurance pay for the brand?

For hair loss, usually not, brand or generic. Insurers often treat hair loss as cosmetic. When finasteride is prescribed for an enlarged prostate, coverage is more common, and a plan may prefer the generic. Our finasteride insurance guide has the details.

Which name will you see online?

Most programs write "finasteride" or "generic Propecia." Some show the strength in the plan name. If a plan says "topical," "spray" or "gel," it is a compounded product, not a Propecia generic. If a plan mixes finasteride with other drugs in one pill or chew, that is also compounded.

To compare programs, see best hair loss treatment online and our ranked best programs.

Sources and read dates

Each source below was read on November 14, 2026.

• MedlinePlus, finasteride drug information, last revised 06/15/2026.
• DailyMed labels: Propecia, Proscar, Entadfi.
• FDA, generic drug facts and the topical finasteride alert.
• Seller prices: each seller's own page, on the date shown on our price pages.