Key takeaways
- Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) is a generic prescription drug used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness.
- The price of finasteride can vary depending on factors such as the pharmacy you use, your insurance coverage, and your overall treatment plan.
- Some options to help lower long-term costs include getting a 90-day supply or using a mail-order pharmacy. Websites such as NeedyMeds and Medicine Assistance Tool may help with payment assistance.
Several factors can affect the price you’ll pay for finasteride, including:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- available financial assistance for finasteride (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)
To find out the cost of finasteride for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. This section also has information about how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
Coupons and savings
To save money on your finasteride prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
The following are answers to some frequently asked questions about finasteride and cost.
Will the cost of finasteride depend on the strength I use (1 mg or 5 mg)?
Yes, it’s possible that the cost of finasteride may change based on the strength you’re taking. The cost of finasteride may also depend on which pharmacy you use and if you have insurance (and if so, whether your insurance plan covers the medication).
For specific information about finasteride, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help determine what the cost of the drug will be for you.
How much does a finasteride prescription cost per month?
The amount you pay each month for your finasteride prescription can depend on several factors. These may include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
- which pharmacy you use
- your insurance coverage
- your treatment plan
To learn exactly how much your finasteride prescription will cost you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
It’s also possible that getting a 90-day supply of finasteride may be cheaper than getting a 30-day supply. Your doctor or pharmacist can help determine if you could save money by getting 90-day prescriptions instead.
Is finasteride covered by insurance?
It depends on your insurance plan. Your pharmacist can help determine if finasteride is covered for you.
If you don’t have insurance (or if your insurance doesn’t cover finasteride) and you need help paying for your medication, there are resources available. To learn more, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section.
Generic finasteride comes in brand-name versions called Proscar or Propecia. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
To find out how the costs of Proscar or Propecia and generic finasteride compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed generic finasteride, and you’re interested in taking Proscar or Propecia instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may not cover all versions of the drug.
If you take finasteride long term, you may be able to lower the costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of finasteride if your insurance company approves it. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of finasteride. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower the cost of finasteride. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for finasteride or help understanding your insurance coverage, assistance is available. For example, some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Two such websites are:
You may want to consider the following important information if you have insurance and take finasteride.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers finasteride. This means the company and your doctor will discuss finasteride in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.
If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether finasteride requires prior authorization.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.