Last updated 18 January 2022
The UK patent forPropecia, a hair loss treatment for men, expired on the 11th Oct 2014. A few days later ‘generic Propecia’ or more accurately ‘generic finasteride’ became available from UK pharmacies. A generic medicine is a medicine which is the same as a branded original, but is prescribed and supplied by its medical name, rather than its brand name.
Propecia is a brand name. The active ingredient of Propecia tablets isfinasteride 1mg. Propecia tablets and finasteride 1mg tablets are medically the same.
Dr Fox supplies both from the drug companyMerck(MSD), which held the original patent, and lower cost, which other drug companies have made available since Merck’s UK patent expired.
When a medicine comes off patent price can fall dramatically. Men, who previously paid very high prices for Propecia, may be able to buy medically identical finasteride 1mg at lower prices.
When a medicine is under patent it can only be sold legally by the patent holder. This means the patent holder, which is normally the drug company which paid to develop the medicine in the first place, is free to market the medicine without competition from other pharmaceutical companies. The result is usually very high prices. When a patent expires other drug companies usually start to produce the same medicine, known as a generic copy, and start to compete on price. As a result the cost to patients tends to fall.
The cost to patients of a medicine depends on various factors; how much it costs to produce, how much demand there is, how many drug companies supply the same medicine, and how flexible the market is. Even when the wholesale supply price of a medicine falls, the price patients pay does not always fall by the same amount. Retail pharmacies may try not to pass on reduced supply costs to patients, and instead use falling wholesale prices to boost profits. If there is price competition between retailers, as there tends to be between online pharmacies and online clinics, price to patients usually fall in line with falls in wholesale supply costs, but not always.
Dr Fox is one of the lowest cost suppliers of most medicines for both branded and generic medicines.
At the moment (10 Dec 2014) only three pharmaceutical companies, apart from Merck, are supplying finasteride 1mg tablets. These companies areTrent,Actavis, andMylanAt the time of writing, all are offering their generic equivalent of Propecia at the same price; about 10% less than branded Propecia. Prices will hopefully tumble further in the days and weeks to come (as happened when last year).UPDATE JANUARY 2022Generic finasteride is now less than 30% of the price of Propecia from Dr Fox.
The original patent holder, Merck (MSD) may reduce the price of Propecia, or start to market its own generic finasteride 1mg alongside branded Propecia.
Not all men who previously took Propecia will switch to generic finasteride 1mg, even if the price of Propecia remains high and generic finasteride is a lot cheaper. If a patient is happy with a particular brand of tablet, they often will not switch to a lower cost equivalent, even if they are reliably advised that one tablet is medically the same as the other. Whether or not they switch depends on how much they wish to economise, and all the other factors which keep people buying certain products at high prices when they do not have to.
Finasteride 1mg tablets are taken daily to reduce hair loss in men, and can promote hair regrowth. See Dr Fox for details.
Cheap Propecia may be on its way which would be welcome news to the many men suffering distress as a result of male pattern hair loss.
Cheap Propecia from Dr FoxIf you are suffering from, Dr Fox will not be able to provide you with the drug's equivalent at this time. Alternatively patients can reach the pharmacy by review by our pharmacist.
Patients should be supplied with a valid prescription from their doctor within hours.
Athlete's foot, or the infection, is an infection that affects the nails. It is a common condition, affecting between 15% and 20% of the population. It is treated with topical medications such as Minoxidil (Rogaine) and Finasteride (Propecia) for a full recovery. The oral form of Propecia has been approved by the Australian government for treatment of male pattern baldness (MPB).
Hair loss is a common and distressing condition for a lot of men. It can result from a variety of factors including:
Minoxidil and Finasteride have been shown to be safe and effective for many men suffering from MPB.
As many as 30% of men in Australia will benefit from topical Minoxidil and Finasteride treatments. While Minoxidil is an effective treatment for MPB, it can be expensive and not be used for a full recovery. The Australian government has been working with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to provide financial assistance to men who are suffering from MPB to help them achieve their full benefits and to help them get back to their healthy self.
The cost of Minoxidil and Finasteride will vary depending on the manufacturer. However, a full list of costs is available on the Therapeutic Goods Administration website (https://t.o/oVQRpL).
For the treatment of MPB, topical Minoxidil is usually used twice a day for 3 months.
Topical Minoxidil is available over the counter in Australia for patients aged 18 years and over. Patients can also purchase a prescription Minoxidil (Rogaine) for the treatment of hair loss or as a topical medication for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the use of Minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss in Australia in 2015. The TGA also has guidance on the cost of minoxidil for men who have been medically diagnosed with MPB.
Finasteride and Minoxidil can cause side effects in some men. It is important to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the following serious side effects:
Side effects may include:
The TGA warns against using topical Minoxidil to treat MPB.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use topical Minoxidil. It is not known whether Minoxidil passes into breast milk or if it may be used by people who are allergic to Minoxidil.
Take Finax 1mg Tablet as advised by your doctor. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.
Take one tablet daily, preferably at the same time each day. Follow your doctor's instructions and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
If you miss a dose of Finax 1mg, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed tablet. Consistent daily use is essential for optimal results in managing hair loss. Always consult your doctor for specific advice regarding missed doses.
Long-term use of Finax tablets may cause potential side effects, such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, or depression, may persist or appear over time.
Regular follow-ups with a doctor are essential to monitor your health and assess continued suitability.
Long-term benefits, like sustained hair regrowth and reduced hair loss, can be seen with consistent use, but stopping the medication may reverse results.
Studies suggest that prolonged use of finasteride may be associated with health risks, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), dry eye disease, and potential kidney issues.
Finax (finasteride 1mg) is not typically recommended for women, particularly during pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects in male fetuses. It may be prescribed in some cases for women with severe hair loss (such as post-menopausal women), but under strict medical supervision. Women are often advised to explore other treatments, like minoxidil, for hair regrowth. Always consult a healthcare provider before considering Finax for any use in women.
Read ( Giovanni ) on whether to use finasteride for long-term conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or for non-gonococcal urethritis (URC). Haemophilus theoidealutis(HU) is sometimes used for BPH or URC, especially in women with enlarged prostate. BPH is a condition where the prostate gland near the end of a meal works effectively to revive lost bladder water. Finax works by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria that cause HU.Finasteride (per capsule) 1mg is typically recommended in men, but it may be prescribed in some cases for conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), URC, or results in sexual dysfunction ( libido, erectile dysfunction, or depression). Women are often advised to explore other treatments, like minoxidil for hair loss, for sure do not take for infections.
Read ( Judy ) on finasteride long-term effects on male autoimmune disorders like lupus.If you haveNEW or want to check if other medications may also suit your needs, including recreational drugs, contact your doctor.Finasteride Tablets are used to treat male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in men who are not to be treated balding areas. They are used to treat male pattern baldness in women who are not to be treated balding areas.
Finasteride Tablets are used to treat male pattern baldness in men who are not to be treated balding areas. They are also used to treat androgenetic alopecia in women who are not to be treated balding areas. Finasteride Tablets are available in 2 strengths:
The usual dose of Finasteride Tablets in men is 5 mg. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg per day.
Finasteride Tablets should be taken with food. The medication can be taken with or without food. Do not take it with food.
Do not take the medication if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Finasteride Tablets are not suitable for use in women who are not to be treated balding areas.
Like all medicines, Finasteride Tablets can cause side effects. Most side effects do not require any medical attention and will go away without saying by the time they do, you may experience some mild or serious side effects. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop taking the medicine and seek medical help right away, but do not stop taking the medicine, stop taking the medication and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you experience any of the side effects, stop taking the medicine and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Finasteride Tablets may cause side effects that are not listed above. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed above, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Most people who have taken Finasteride Tablets do not have any side effects. If you or a loved one have taken finasteride tablets, you should not stop taking the medicine. Finasteride Tablets can cause side effects such as sexual side effects, hair loss, or allergic reactions. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to treat your symptoms.
If you are experiencing side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine. Your doctor will consider your medical history, your current medicines, and any other treatment that you have taken before.
Finasteride Tablets should not be used in women who are to be treated balding.
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