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Overview
Finasteride oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drugs Propecia and Proscar.
This article describes finasteride oral tablet’s dosages, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for finasteride.
If you want to know more about finasteride oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Form and strengths of finasteride
Finasteride oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 1 milligram (mg), 5 mg
Dosage of finasteride
This article describes the recommended dosages* for finasteride oral tablet.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of finasteride oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.
Usual recommended dosages of finasteride
The information below describes dosages in milligrams (mg) that are commonly prescribed.
| Condition | Recommended dose | Frequency |
| male* pattern hair loss | 1 mg | once per day |
| enlarged prostate that causes symptoms† | 5 mg | once per day |
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “males” and “females” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
† For this use, your doctor may prescribe finasteride alone or together with the drug doxazosin.
Dosage adjustments for finasteride
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of finasteride oral tablet based on several factors, including:
- the specific condition being treated
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of finasteride
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of finasteride oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
Do not take two doses at a time to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could lead to side effects.
For tips on how to plan your doses of finasteride oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about finasteride oral tablet and its dosage.
Can I take 10 mg of finasteride daily?
No, 10 mg of finasteride per day is not a recommended dosage. The highest dosage recommended is 5 mg per day for treating enlarged prostate that causes symptoms.
Some doctors might prescribe a different dosage. If so, it could be for an off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
Your doctor will determine the correct dosage of finasteride for your condition. Be sure to take the dosage they prescribe.
Does finasteride have a recommended minimum dosage?
No, finasteride doesn’t have a recommended minimum dosage. But the smallest recommended dosage is 1 mg per day for male* pattern hair loss.
If your doctor prescribes a smaller dosage, they might be prescribing finasteride off-label. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Be sure to take the dosage of finasteride that they prescribe.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “males” and “females” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Is finasteride taken long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe finasteride oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Finasteride doesn’t work right away. In fact, it may take several months of treatment to tell whether it’s working for your condition. This could involve at least 6 to 12 months of continued use.
Your doctor can tell you more about how they’ll monitor your treatment progress.
How finasteride is taken
You’ll swallow finasteride oral tablet once per day. You can take it with food or without it.
Finasteride is usually swallowed whole. If finasteride oral tablets are crushed or broken, they should not be handled or even touched by females* who may be pregnant. This is because exposure to the drug may cause harm to a fetus. For more information about this, see this article. Finasteride is not approved for use in females.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “females” and “males” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
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Overdose of finasteride
It’s important that you do not take more finasteride oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.
What to do if you take too much finasteride
If you think you’ve taken too much finasteride, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for finasteride oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of finasteride oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take finasteride oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- I take the 5-mg dose of finasteride for enlarged prostate causing symptoms. Will it also treat my hair loss?
- Will my finasteride dosage ever change?
- Which blood tests should I have before I start finasteride treatment?
- If I develop liver problems, will my finasteride dosage change?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.