Have you ever heard the terms ‘Rogaine’ or ‘Propecia’ and wondered what their connection is to other medications? Finasteride and Minoxidil are standard terms in the hair loss industry, so we wanted to shed some light on the matter.
Let’s see if there are any differences between Finasteride and Propecia, plus why some products rename themselves for different markets.
Is There a Difference Between Finasteride and Propecia?
No, there’s no difference between Propecia and Finasteride; the names refer to the same drug and work identically to halt the body’s transition of testosterone into the DHT hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss.
Propecia is simply a brand name for Finasteride, and depending on where you are located, you may see Propecia sold instead of Finasteride or vice versa. Nonetheless, whichever you buy, they work the same way over the same timeframe.
These oral medications reduce the time hair spends in its resting phase and prolong its growth period, giving hair follicles more of a chance to produce solid and thick hair. By restricting the presence of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on the scalp, hair loss should be reduced so there’s more chance it will thrive.
Why is Finasteride/Propecia Sold Under Two Names?
In some parts of the world, it’s more common to hear the generic name ‘Finasteride’; in others, you’re more likely to see the brand name ‘Propecia’. The USA, for example, commonly uses the brand names instead of the generic terms for the drug. However, in many parts of Europe, the product is rarely sold under the brand name American pharmacies will issue.
Merck & Co. is an American pharmaceutical company that markets Propecia, but even their instructions list the boxed product as Finasteride. Typically, branded Propecia is significantly more expensive than Finasteride despite being the same product. Reasons for this could include Propecia marketing itself better in some countries, but these promotions cost money to create and need to be recouped in sales.
You may also notice that Minoxidil is sold as Rogaine in some countries. The same logic applies to this medication, making Rogaine considerably more expensive than Minoxidil, but Johnson & Johnson is the pharmaceutical firm that markets this product. Similarly, the results won’t differ if you’re given the same dosage of either name.
Should I Buy Finasteride or Propecia?
Regarding quality and outcome, it makes no difference whether you buy Finasteride or Propecia; both will aim to slow and stop hair loss for men. However, buying Finasteride makes a lot more sense if you want to save money.
Ultimately, you might not be given a choice between the two products, and your location might dictate what is available to you. However, both Finasteride and Propecia are fantastic choices to target hair loss and hopefully instigate regrowth.
