Finasteride is a long-term medication, so it's important to know the monthly cost upfront. These are the average prices for oral and topical Finasteride.
Finasteride 1mg tablets are the only prescription medication FDA-approved to treat and prevent male pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia.
When you are first considering the prescription treatment options for your hair loss, it is important to factor in any potential costs that may come along with the medications and visits.
Finasteride is considered a long-term medication to help maintain your current hair and reduce future losses, so making sure that you choose a Finasteride source that fits your budget and schedule is the best way to go.
Below, we will break down the potential prices you may find at various pharmacies for Finasteride, go over the price differences of brand vs. generic, consider the potential office visit costs, and also touch on the cost of going with a compounded topical Finasteride formulation.
Read Related: 4 Ways To Help Slow Male Pattern Baldness
If you are planning to purchase your Finasteride out-of-pocket, you may be surprised to find that the prices tend to vary from pharmacy to pharmacy.
When looking around at local or chain pharmacy options, you may receive quotes for a 30-day supply ranging from approximately $20 to $45 (based on chain pharmacy prices in June 2021).
If you already have your prescription in hand and you are ready to fill, making a few phone calls should help you get an idea of the prices in your area. These prices may vary depending on your location.
Telemedicine services, like Strut Health, can also be a good source for your hair care medications. We carry Finasteride tablets in a 30-day supply for $25, or a 90-day supply for $49. The cost of the doctor’s consultation is free and the medication is shipped to you for free.
When you are looking to start using a medication, it is normally wise and very cost-effective to use the generic version. Generic medications go through rigorous testing before they are approved to ensure that it contains the same active ingredient, at the same strengths, and functions the same within your body as the brand medication.
In the case of Finasteride, the brand medication is called Propecia, and it may cost you around $70 to $75 per month (in June 2021). If you absolutely want to go with the brand medication, that is your choice, just be aware that the price point will be significantly higher.
Finasteride is also on the market in a stronger version in a medication for prostate enlargement, under the brand name Proscar. And, while the stronger Finasteride may be covered by your insurance to treat prostate issues, it is less likely that your insurance will cover Finasteride for hair concerns.
When it comes to insurance and hair loss treatments, many insurance companies will not cover Finasteride 1mg since it is considered cosmetic. You can call your insurance company to see if Finasteride 1mg for hair loss is covered in your plan.
If your insurance does cover Finasteride 1mg tablets for hair loss, you will likely have a copay to pay upon each fill. Copays can range from plan to plan, so you can get the specifics from your insurance company if that is the route you plan to take.
As with any prescription medication, you need to have a prescription from a U.S. licensed doctor in order to fill the medication.
If you are getting your prescription from your local doctor, you may need to factor in the cost of the visit, plus follow-up visits every 3, 6, or 12 months to check in on your progress and renew your prescription.
Depending on your insurance coverage, a visit to your doctor may cost you between $10 to over $100, depending on the office and your location. When considering all of the background costs of hair loss treatment, this may be an additional cost you are factoring in.
However, if you end up deciding to source your hair loss medications from an online telemedicine service like Strut Health, the cost of the visit itself and the shipping is free. With Strut Health you can expect to only pay the price of the medication which is listed on the website.
Another option to add to the mix when you are considering Finasteride hair loss treatment, is topical Finasteride. This is a gel or solution that contains the active ingredient, Finasteride, and it is normally applied to the scalp once daily at night.
This is not a manufactured medication, but some compounding pharmacies are able to mix up some for you if you have a prescription for compounded topical Finasteride.
Since this is a medication that gets made on-site at a pharmacy specific to your doctor’s orders, it may be a little more expensive per dose than the tablet.
Patients who may prefer to use a topical formulation include men who do not like to take tablets, had side effects when using oral Finasteride and want to try and reduce systemic absorption, or patients who want a multiple ingredient formulation (like Finasteride plus Minoxidil).
Our topical Finasteride formulations are $49 for a 30-day supply, with a free online consultation and free shipping.
Also Read: 6 Reasons Why Topical Hair Loss Treatments May Be a Better Option for You
Here at Strut Health, we aim to provide the most comprehensive and innovative range of hair loss medications for men and women.
We offer transparent medication pricing at competitive rates, along with free online doctor’s consultations, and free shipping. With all of these factors considered, you may find that using telemedicine services for your hair loss needs is the most cost-effective route for you.
If you want to see if a hair loss prescription is a good fit for you, you can have your free online questionnaire and image-based consultation today in 10-15 minutes.
If you are a good candidate for hair loss treatment, your prescription medication can be shipped to your front door with our free shipping. If you have any questions or concerns about your therapy, our team and doctors are available for free unlimited follow-ups.