Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair Restoration - Generic Drugs

Generic Drugs

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Q: I am 25 year old who just started going bald. My doctor confirmed that I have pattern baldness and put me on Propecia and Rogaine. I don’t want to go bald at any age. So, instead of prolonging the process for 5-10 years and then having a hair transplant, isn’t it easier to just let the hair loss continue and then have a HT, so that I can save the money on drugs for years. — Z.B., Greenwich, C.T.

A: It is far better to keep your own hair using medical therapy. The medications (i.e. finasteride and minoxidil) are relatively inexpensive if use the generic forms and will be far less expensive than surgery – even on the long-term. Keeping your own hair will look fuller than a hair transplant, since a hair transplant just re-distributes a diminishing amount existing hair. When the ability to multiply hair (cloning) is available this, of course will change, but this technology is still years away.

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Q: I am 26 years old and in the beginning of losing my hair and not ready for hair transplant surgery. It seems to have stopped now but 4 months ago I shed a lot of hair and can visually see that my hair on the scalp is thinning out. I have looked into and read up on taking Propecia or more exactly Finpecia (I’m a student so cost is a factor), but can I trust this generic drug? Have looked at the company (Cipla) website but I’m still a bit scared of taking something I don’t really know what it is. What is your opinion on choosing Finpecia over Propecia? — E.E., Midtown East, N.Y.

A: Finpecia is manufactured in India by a slightly different method than the way Propecia is produced in the U.S. Since finasteride 5mg is now available in a generic from in the U.S., I suggest that you use finasteride 5mg and quarter the 5mg tablet with a pill cutter and take 1/4 tablet a day. The parts do not need to be the same size. In the U.S., generic finasteride and Propecia (1mg) and Proscar (5mg) are all made the same way. Cipla is a large company, but is not under U.S. FDA supervision.

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Q: I heard that Proscar, the 5mg version of finasteride, is now generic. Is that correct and is Propecia going generic as well? — F.J., Red Hook, Brooklyn, NYC

A: Yes, Finasteride 5mg (Proscar) is now available in a generic formulation. It is my understanding that Finasteride 1mg (Propecia) will not be available generically until the year 2012.

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Q: I am currently taking Propecia 1mg a day for hair loss and heard that Proscar 5mg now comes in a generic form. If I get that, how should I take it? — G.A., Fort Lauderdale, FL

A: If you are currently taking Propecia 1mg a day, and want to switch to Proscar (Finasteride 5mg), you can either take Proscar 5mg, 1/4 pill every day or 1/2 pill every other day.

If you break up the pills, be mindful of the potential risk to pregnant women from handling crushed tablets. You can purchase a pill cutter in any pharmacy.

You should be aware that this dosing is not recommended by Merck and that there are no studies showing that either breaking up the pills or taking alternate day dosing is as effective as taking Propecia (Finasteride 1mg) a day.

That said, finasteride lasts in tissues for several days, so these alternate day dosing schedules seem reasonable.

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Q: I am considering taking Propecia, but it I went to my local pharmacy in New York City and it is so expensive. Is there a way I can get it cheaper? — A.S.A., Midtown, Manhattan, NYC

A: The website sells Propecia online at a reasonable price. A doctor’s prescription is required.

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