| Pharmacy | Propecia 1mg | Finasteride 1mg |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart |
$122.17 $4.07/day
|
$19.98 $0.67/day
|
| CVS / Target |
$145.99 $4.87/day
|
$25.89 $0.86/day
|
| Walgreens |
$126.83 $4.23/day
|
$19.38 $0.65/day
|
| Costco |
$117.67 $3.92/day
|
$12.98 $0.43/day
|
| Amazon |
$116.60 $3.89/day
|
$11.60 $0.39/day
|
| Average Price |
$125.85 $12.59/day
|
$17.97 $1.80/day
|
†Quantity and pack size vary by retailer. Per-day price = price ÷ days' supply.
This month, Walmart charges $4.07 per dose for brand-name Propecia 1 milligram, the only strength approved for hair loss.
If you switch to generic finasteride, you’ll typically pay a lot less. Walmart’s price this month is $0.67 per dose for the 1 milligram tablet.
Prices like these shift from month to month based on manufacturer contracts, insurance negotiations, and how many generic competitors are actively selling in the market.
Ready to get started? You can order Propecia, the brand-name option, or explore finasteride for a more affordable generic alternative.
Propecia and finasteride contain the same active ingredient and work identically in the body. The price gap comes down to patent protection and manufacturing competition, not effectiveness.
Some people notice a difference between formulations because of the inactive filler ingredients rather than the medication itself. Talk to your doctor if you experience new or unusual symptoms after switching between Propecia and finasteride.
Propecia was approved by the FDA in 1997 as the first oral medication for male pattern hair loss. It’s taken as a single 1 milligram tablet once a day.
Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, the hormone most closely linked to the hair follicle shrinkage that causes male pattern baldness. Most people need three to six months of consistent daily use before noticing a difference, and up to a year to see the full effect.
Finasteride is for men only and is not approved for use by women. Pregnant women, or women who may become pregnant, should not handle broken or crushed tablets, since the medication can be absorbed through the skin and may cause birth defects in a male fetus.
For more information about how finasteride works, results timelines, and side effects, read our finasteride FAQ.
Every pharmacy on this list requires a valid prescription before dispensing Propecia or finasteride. eDrugstore simplifies the process by offering an online consultation with a U.S.-licensed physician, who can issue a prescription when appropriate. Once approved, eDrugstore handles fulfillment and ships your order free of charge.