Finasteride vs Propecia: What’s the Difference, and Is the Brand Worth More?
Finasteride vs Propecia: compare ingredients, cost and safety, then discuss your hair loss treatment options with The Care Pharmacy.
Compare finasteride by pack size and full cost
Finasteride prices vary with the tablet count and the fees added to an order. This UK comparison covers generic 1mg tablets in 28- and 84-tablet packs. It separates the advertised medicine price from delivery and prescription charges, so a low headline figure does not hide a higher bill.
The quick answer: the pack size changes the comparison
For 28 generic 1mg tablets, The Care Pharmacy lists £11.99, Dr Fox £10 and Asda Online Doctor £25. For 84 tablets, the prices are £27.99, £26.50 and £70 respectively. These are pack prices before separate fees.
Once standard charges are added, the 28-tablet example is £15.98 with us and £13.90 with Dr Fox. For 84 tablets, our £31.98 total is 42p below Dr Fox’s £32.40. Neither provider has the lower total for both quantities.
This is a dated sample of three UK services, not a claim about the whole market. The Care Pharmacy sells finasteride and produced this guide. We used public prices without introductory codes or loyalty rewards; no purchase was made.
Finasteride prices for matching 1mg packs
Start with your prescribed strength. The table compares generic 1mg tablets for hair loss. It excludes branded Propecia, combination products and the 5mg strength used for a different treatment purpose. A cheaper-looking 5mg box is not a substitute you should create by dividing tablets.
| Provider | 28 tablets | 84 tablets |
|---|---|---|
| The Care Pharmacy | £11.99 | £27.99 |
| Dr Fox | £10.00 | £26.50 |
| Asda Online Doctor | £25.00 | £70.00 |
A search result may show a price per tablet based on the largest pack. That figure can be useful, but it does not tell you what a smaller first order costs. Check the selected quantity before comparing two offers, and check that an advertised saving does not require a subscription.
Brand preference belongs in the assessment. Generic finasteride and Propecia contain finasteride, but their prices should be labelled separately. This table does not establish which manufacturer will supply a particular generic pack.
Finasteride prices with standard delivery
At The Care Pharmacy, standard delivery is £3.99 and is free on orders over £40. Both packs above fall below that threshold. Dr Fox lists £2.90 delivery plus a prescription fee: £1 for the £10 order and £3 for the £26.50 order. Asda advertises free standard delivery.
| Provider and pack | Medicine | Separate charges | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Care Pharmacy · 28 | £11.99 | £3.99 delivery | £15.98 |
| Dr Fox · 28 | £10.00 | £1 prescription + £2.90 delivery | £13.90 |
| Asda · 28 | £25.00 | Free delivery advertised | £25.00 |
| The Care Pharmacy · 84 | £27.99 | £3.99 delivery | £31.98 |
| Dr Fox · 84 | £26.50 | £3 prescription + £2.90 delivery | £32.40 |
| Asda · 84 | £70.00 | Free delivery advertised | £70.00 |
These are worked examples from advertised terms, rather than completed checkout invoices. Premium delivery, location restrictions or an updated fee could alter the amount. Compare the final payable total after assessment and before authorising payment.
Four weeks is not a calendar month
A 28-tablet pack covers four weeks only when the prescribed instruction is one tablet each day. Twelve such packs contain 336 tablets, rather than a full year’s daily treatment. Calling every 28-tablet pack “one month” can therefore understate a longer-term budget.
At our listed prices, three 28-tablet packs would cost £35.97 in medicine alone, compared with £27.99 for one 84-tablet pack. The £7.98 difference is a pack-size calculation. It is not permission to order three packs or a promise that a larger quantity will be prescribed.
Before planning repeat spending, ask when your response will be reviewed and what information the service needs for another supply. A low unit price has little value if the medicine is unsuitable or you are paying for more tablets than your clinician recommends.
Finasteride prices per tablet
| Pack | Pack price | Approximate price per tablet |
|---|---|---|
| 28 × 1mg | £11.99 | 43p |
| 84 × 1mg | £27.99 | 33p |
Rounding helps you scan an offer, but the total is calculated from the actual pack price. Multiplying the rounded 33p by 84 will not reproduce £27.99 exactly. Use pounds and pence from the selected pack when comparing a basket.
Also distinguish a one-off price from the amount charged on subsequent orders. If a service advertises a reduced first supply, read the repeat price and cancellation terms before treating it as your ongoing cost. None of the figures in this guide assumes a discount code.
Before changing your hair loss treatment
If you are already taking finasteride, tell a new prescriber the dose, how long you have used it, your response and any unwanted effects. Keep the old packaging or a photograph of the label. A switch between suppliers should not interrupt a planned review or conceal symptoms that need attention.
If hair loss is sudden, patchy or accompanied by scalp symptoms, seek an assessment rather than assuming it is male pattern hair loss. Our hair loss service explains the assessment route, and the NHS finasteride information gives general medicine guidance. Neither a price table nor a product photograph can diagnose the cause.
Finasteride safety information to read first
Finasteride can cause sexual side effects, which have been reported to persist after stopping, and psychiatric side effects. Tell the prescriber about previous depression or suicidal thoughts. If depression or suicidal thoughts develop while taking 1mg finasteride for hair loss, stop it and contact a doctor promptly; seek emergency help if you are at immediate risk.
The MHRA finasteride safety reminder explains these warnings. Read the patient leaflet supplied with your own pack for the full restrictions and side effects. Do not change the dose to make a pack last longer.
Finasteride prices when you change supplier
When comparing finasteride prices, write down the exact pack and the date of each quote. An 84-tablet offer can look cheaper per tablet while requiring more money upfront than your usual 28-tablet supply. Comparing both the upfront amount and the cost for the same count makes that trade-off clear.
If you request treatment from a new service, explain whether your existing supply will run out before the assessment is complete. Do not assume that selecting a pack reserves stock or guarantees approval. Arrange the review in good time rather than changing your dose to bridge a gap.
Keep the quotation separate from any final prescribing recommendation. The clinician may need more information or decide a different course of action is appropriate. If the recommended pack changes, repeat the comparison using that pack instead of the original headline offer.
Finasteride prices are only one part of an ongoing decision. Clear review arrangements, access to advice and an accurate medicine history help you judge the service behind the listed box.
Finasteride prices: common questions
Where are finasteride prices lowest in this sample?
Dr Fox has the lower 28-tablet delivered total. The Care Pharmacy has the lower 84-tablet delivered total by 42p, using the standard fees checked. These findings cover the named sample and date only.
Is an 84-tablet pack always better value?
It lowers our medicine cost per tablet, but the quantity must fit your prescription and review plan. Compare the full order cost, not just the rounded unit figure.
Does a cheaper generic mean a weaker dose?
A generic 1mg tablet has the same stated active ingredient and strength as another 1mg finasteride product. Manufacturer, inactive ingredients and packaging can differ; discuss concerns with your pharmacist.
Can I compare 5mg finasteride with these packs?
No. This guide covers 1mg tablets for hair loss. A different strength needs a different prescribing decision; do not split or substitute it to follow a cheaper price.
Discuss hair loss with a clinician
The Care Pharmacy’s hair loss service assesses your symptoms, medical history and current medicines before recommending treatment. You can ask about suitable options and their full cost before deciding. Completing an assessment does not guarantee a prescription or supply.
Pricing note: Advertised prices checked on 15 October 2026 across the named sample. The Care Pharmacy sells the medicine compared. Prices and fees change; confirm your current total before payment.
Medical disclaimer: General information only, not personal medical advice. Prescription medicines require clinical assessment; prescribing and supply are not guaranteed.
Clinical reviewer
Mohammed Ismail Lakhi MPharm
Superintendent Pharmacist at The Care Pharmacy
GPhC Registration Number: 2072815
The Care Pharmacy is led by Superintendent Pharmacist Mohammed Ismail Lakhi MPharm. The pharmacy assesses individual suitability before prescribing or supplying prescription treatment. Your own clinician can explain how general guidance applies to your health, medicines and treatment plan.
Added: 15 October 2026
