Proscar (Finasteride)

Proscar
4.745 ratingsReviews
Generic:
Finasteride
Indications:
benign prostatic hyperplasia
Analogs:
Propecia Finpecia Finast Finax Fincar
AdultsPregnancyAllergiesDiabetesBreastfeedingChildrenDriving

Dosages

Proscar 1 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
60 £1.04 - £62.23
90 £0.94 £8.89 £84.45
120 £0.87 £20.00 £104.45
180 £0.72 £56.30 £130.38
270 £0.64 £106.68 £173.35
360 £0.59 £159.27 £214.09

Proscar 5 mg

Quantity Price per tablet You save Total price
30 £1.98 - £59.26
60 £1.48 £29.63 £88.90
90 £1.32 £59.26 £118.53
120 £1.24 £88.16 £148.90
180 £1.16 £145.94 £209.65
270 £1.10 £235.57 £297.80
360 £1.08 £322.25 £388.92

Manufacturers

AlfasigmaApotexHAB Pharmaceuticals & Research Ltd.Ind-Swift Laboratories Ltd.Merck Sharp & DohmeOrganonOrganon Canadaratiopharm

Payment & Delivery

Package Example

Your order is carefully packed and ships within 24 hours. Here's the typical package.

Sized like a regular personal letter (24x11x0.7 cm), with no indication of its contents.

Front View
Front View
Side View
Side View
Back View
Back View
Delivery Times
Delivery MethodEstimated delivery
Express Free for orders over £222.24Estimated delivery to the UK: 4-7 days
Standard Free for orders over £148.16Estimated delivery to the UK: 14-21 days
EMSRoyal Mail
Payment Methods
VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressJCBBitcoin, USDTApple PayGoogle PayPayPalKlarnaClearpay

Discount Coupons

  • New Year's Day - 1 January 2026 9% NEWYEAR9
  • Valentine's Day - 14 February 2026 6% VALENTINE6
  • St David's Day - 1 March 2026 4% DAVID4
  • St Patrick's Day - 17 March 2026 5% PATRICK5
  • St George's Day - 23 April 2026 4% GEORGE4
  • May Day - 1 May 2026 5% MAYDAY5
  • Halloween - 31 October 2026 6% HALLOWEEN6
  • Guy Fawkes Night - 5 November 2026 5% GUY5
  • Christmas Eve - 24 December 2026 9% XMASEVE9
  • Christmas Day - 25 December 2026 10% XMAS10
  • Boxing Day - 26 December 2026 10% BOXING10
  • New Year's Eve - 31 December 2026 8% NYE8

Brand Names

Also known as (by country):
CountryBrand Names
United Kingdom
Propecia
Australia
Propecia
New Zealand
Fintral Propecia
Canada
Apo-Finasteride Propecia
United States
Propecia

FAQ

Finasteride tablets are prescription-only medicines when bought from local pharmacies in the United Kingdom. However, our store policy allows you to order this medicine without a prescription and have it sent by mail.

Take unused or expired tablets to a pharmacy that accepts unwanted medicines for safe disposal where possible. Do not share them with anyone else or dispose of them in household waste or wastewater unless a pharmacist gives specific local advice.

Yes. A generic tablet labelled finasteride 5 mg contains finasteride, the same active ingredient used in Proscar 5 mg. The manufacturer, tablet appearance and inactive ingredients can differ between products, so check the received package if any of these details matter to you.

A different appearance does not by itself mean that the medicine is incorrect, as manufacturers and presentations can differ. Before taking it, compare the active ingredient, 5 mg strength, film-coated tablet form, manufacturer, lot number, expiry date and any tablet imprint with the package label; do not use it if the ingredient, strength, dosage form or condition appears wrong.

As solid film-coated tablets, they can normally travel in the post when appropriately packed and kept protected from moisture. Once received, check that the package is intact and store the tablets at 20°C to 25°C; brief temperature excursions between 15°C and 30°C are permitted.

Store the tablets at 20°C to 25°C, with brief excursions between 15°C and 30°C permitted. Keep the container tightly closed, protect it from moisture and keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Finasteride 5 mg is used in adult men for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called an enlarged prostate. It can improve urinary symptoms and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention or needing prostate surgery.

The usual adult regimen for benign prostatic hyperplasia is one 5 mg film-coated tablet by mouth once daily. Swallow the tablet whole, with or without food, and take it consistently each day; the prescribed regimen should not be changed without clinical advice.

Possible side effects include reduced sex drive, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, reduced ejaculate volume and ejaculation problems. Breast tenderness or enlargement, depressed mood and allergic reactions can also occur; seek prompt medical advice for a breast lump, nipple discharge, swelling of the face or throat, or troubling mood changes.

No. Finasteride is contraindicated during pregnancy because it may affect development of the external genitalia of a male fetus, and it should not be used while breastfeeding. People who are pregnant or may become pregnant should also avoid handling crushed or broken tablets.

Description

ProscarGeneral Information

Finasteride is a medicine marketed under the name Proscar. It is a member of the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor drug class. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a disorder in which the prostate gland enlarges, is the main indication for the use of Proscar. This medication lessens the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that promotes prostate growth, by blocking the action of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. 

 Apart from treating BPH, Proscar is also administered at a reduced dosage for male pattern baldness, known as androgenetic alopecia (Propecia). For some people, the decrease in DHT levels helps to both slow down hair loss and encourage hair growth.

Proscar adverse effects, like those of any medicine, might include sexual side effects like erectile dysfunction and diminished libido. People who are thinking about using Proscar should talk to their healthcare professionals about the advantages and disadvantages of the medication, especially if they have concerns about how it may affect their ability to conceive. Regular monitoring and consultation with a healthcare provider are crucial for patients using Proscar for hair loss or BPH. 

Proscar (Finasteride) Components 

Finasteride is Proscar's active component. Typically, each Proscar tablet has five milligrams of finasteride in it. 

 A lower-dose version of finasteride (1 milligram) is also available and frequently given to treat male pattern baldness, in addition to Proscar, which is used for BPH. 

Four-year Study Verifies Drug Modifies BPH Progression 

Finasteride (Proscar/Merck) has been shown in a four-year study to lower the requirement for surgery in half for males with acute urinary retention. Men who did not have acute urine retention were 57% less likely to acquire the illness than men who were not taking the medication, according to research involving 3,040 men. Men who took the medication also had a 55% lower risk of needing prostate surgery. According to Dr. John McConnell, head of the Proscar Long-Term Efficacy and Safety Study (PLESS) at Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas, the medication "clearly alters the progression of BPH." Throughout the four-year research period, the drug's benefits persisted. 

Proscar's Uses 

The main indication for Proscar, also known as finasteride, is the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a benign enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. As it ages, it can expand and cause symptoms like poor urine flow, trouble urinating, and frequent urination. 

Finasteride functions by preventing dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to prostate growth. Proscar helps relieve BPH symptoms and may also halt the evolution of the condition by lowering DHT levels. 

A lower-dose version of finasteride (1 milligram) is also used to treat androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, in addition to BPH. Finasteride may encourage hair growth and prevent additional hair loss in this situation. 

Doses 

When treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a 5-milligram tablet taken once a day is the standard dosage for Proscar (finasteride). This is the usual dosage for treating an enlarged prostate's symptoms. 

Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is treated with a lower finasteride dosage. In this instance, a 1-milligram tablet is frequently administered and sold under the Propecia brand. This reduced dosage works well to stop additional hair loss and, in certain situations, to encourage hair growth. 

It's crucial to abide by your healthcare practitioner's dose recommendations and directions. See your healthcare provider for individual advice if you have any questions or concerns regarding the dosage or possible side effects. 

Precautions 

Women who are pregnant or who intend to become pregnant shouldn't touch broken or crushed Proscar tablets. A developing male fetus may be harmed by finasteride exposure during pregnancy since it can be absorbed via the skin.

Finasteride allergies can include redness, itching, swelling, extreme dizziness, and trouble breathing in certain people. If you see any symptoms of an allergic reaction, get medical help.

Proscar may lower the risk of prostate cancer in addition to treating the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Nonetheless, there's a slim chance of developing high-grade prostate cancer. Talk about the advantages and possible drawbacks with your medical professional. 

Share your medical history with your healthcare practitioner, mentioning any conditions you may have had in the past, such as liver illness, urinary issues, or a history of medication allergies. 

Your medications-prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin-should be disclosed to your healthcare physician. Finasteride may interact with certain drugs. 

Contraindications for Finasteride

  1. Women, especially those expecting a child, should not use Proscar. It may be harmful to a male fetus in development. Pregnant or potentially pregnant women should not handle broken or crushed Proscar tablets.
  2. Proscar should not be used by anyone with a history of hypersensitivity or allergy to finasteride or any of the medication's ingredients.
  3. Children and teenagers are not usually prescribed Proscar. Finasteride's effectiveness and safety in this population are unknown.
  4. Finasteride metabolism may be changed in people with advanced liver disease. Before beginning Proscar, disclose any liver issues to your healthcare physician.
  5. Finasteride may interact with other drugs in ways that reduce its effectiveness or raise the possibility of side effects. Notify your healthcare practitioner of all your medications, including over-the-counter and vitamins.

To find out if Proscar is right for you, consider your medical history, present medications, and general state of health by speaking with your healthcare professional. Seek immediate medical attention if you suffer any adverse effects or have any concerns. 

Adverse Reactions 

Some people may experience adverse effects from Proscar (finasteride). It's crucial to remember that not everyone will have these side effects, and the drug is generally well tolerated. Typical Proscar side effects include:

  • A decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction, and a decrease in ejaculation volume are examples of sexual side effects. Usually, these side effects go away after the medicine is stopped.
  • Gynecomastia, or breast soreness or enlargement, can affect certain people. If this happens, it is best to let your healthcare professional know.
  • Although they are uncommon, finasteride allergies can happen. Possible symptoms include rash, itching, swelling, extreme disorientation, and trouble breathing. If you are having an allergic reaction, get medical help.
  • Finasteride users have occasionally reported experiencing mood swings, including despair or anxiety. Addressing any major mood swings you experience with your healthcare physician is crucial.
  • Men who have testicles may feel pain or discomfort. 

Notifying your healthcare professional as soon as possible of any adverse effects is critical. In addition, discuss the advantages and possible drawbacks of Proscar, taking into account your unique health and medical background. 

Overdose 

Immediately seek medical attention in the event of a Proscar (finasteride) overdose. Even though severe side effects from overdosing are uncommon, it's crucial to take the medicine precisely as directed by your doctor. 

Get in touch with emergency medical services or a poison control center as soon as possible if you suspect an overdose or feel symptoms like weakness, dizziness, or fainting. Tell them about the drug you're taking, how much you're taking, and any symptoms you may be having.

Since there isn't a known cure for finasteride overdose, supportive care is typically provided to treat and manage symptoms. It's critical to refrain from self-medicating or changing the dosage without first seeing a medical provider.

How to Keep Proscar

Proscar should be kept at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. It should also be kept away from temperatures higher than 86°F (30°C) or lower than 59°F (15°C).

Store it in the original box and protect it from the sun. Keep it out of restrooms and other moist areas. 

Proscar should be kept out of children's reach and stored in a childproof container.

Unless your healthcare practitioner instructs you otherwise, do not split, crush, or break the tablets. 

Make a note of the medicine's expiration date on the container. Once the expiration date has passed, stop using Proscar. 

Medically reviewed by
Jennifer Bowles
Pharmacologist
Updated 11 August 2026

Customer questions

Asked by Oliver, Derby, United Kingdom

My finasteride has arrived. Where should I look for the lot number and expiry date?

Answered by Support team

Check the outer carton and the medicine container or blister packaging for the lot or batch number and expiry date. The exact position varies by presentation, so use the details printed on the package you receive.

Asked by Gareth, Southampton, United Kingdom

I have type 2 diabetes and take tablets for it. Does finasteride 5 mg usually need a different dose or extra blood sugar checks?

Answered by Support team
Medical reviewed by Matthew Pitts

Diabetes alone does not usually require a different finasteride 5 mg dose or additional blood glucose monitoring. Your full medicine list should still be reviewed if you are starting treatment or have concerns about interactions.

Product specifications

Active ingredientFinasteride
Drug class5-alpha reductase inhibitor
Dosage formFilm-coated tablet
Available strengths5 mg
RouteOral
StorageStore at 20°C to 25°C; brief excursions permitted from 15°C to 30°C. Keep the container tightly closed and protect from moisture.
ATC codeG04CB01

Regulatory information

More information