What is finasteride?
Finasteride - generic for the brand name Propecia - is a prescription medication used to treat prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and male pattern hair loss. It treats these conditions by blocking hormones in the body that can lead to an enlarged prostate and hair loss at the top of the head.
While finasteride is effective in the treatment of male pattern hair loss, it has not been shown to treat thinning hair in women or children. It is also not effective in treating male hair loss near the temples. While finasteride treats two common men’s health conditions - hair loss and prostate enlargement - it has not been approved as a treatment for prostate cancer.