Finasteride vs. Minoxidil: Which Option is Best for Men?

Published: 2025-05-05

Updated: 2025-05-06

4 mins

As men age, they often fear hair loss, especially if they see it in their family. Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition known as androgenic alopecia. Men with androgenic alopecia tend to experience a gradual loss of hair follicles over time. Men may first see it in a receding hairline or thinning patches on the scalp.

Hair loss can start during a man’s teenage years or later in life. Whether you notice hair loss for the first time in your 40s or earlier in your 20s, there are plenty of options for treatment. It’s better to start hair loss treatment as soon as possible to see the best results. Finasteride and minoxidil are two medications commonly prescribed for hair loss treatment.

How Does Finasteride Work?

Finasteride (Propecia) is a medication FDA-approved to treat male pattern baldness and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. It works by inhibiting enzymes that convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Instead of stopping hair loss completely, finasteride slows the process down. A healthcare provider may recommend using finasteride with other medications like minoxidil.

How Does Minoxidil Work?

Minoxidil is a medication with many uses, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and androgenic alopecia. It’s available in liquid, foam, topical, and oral form. Topical minoxidil helps to reduce hair loss and increase hair growth by thickening the hair shaft. Minoxidil also extends the growth phase of the hair cycle. Your healthcare provider may recommend using minoxidil with other medications like corticosteroids.

How Effective are Finasteride and Minoxidil?

Health experts found that over 50% of participants saw hair growth improvements after being on oral finasteride. It’s a medication taken daily to lower DHT levels in the scalp. Generally, finasteride is a long-term treatment. It can also help increase hair density before getting a hair transplant.

Topical finasteride is often mixed with minoxidil to increase effectiveness. Oral minoxidil is often more effective than liquid minoxidil on its own. However, topical minoxidil alone can still be more effective for some people.

What are the Side Effects of Finasteride and Minoxidil?

As with any medication, there is a risk of side effects. The following side effects are rare but can occur while taking finasteride:

• Erectile dysfunction

• Low libido

• Breast swelling (gynecomastia)

• Anxiety

• Hormonal changes

You may experience fewer hormonal changes with minoxidil. Topical and oral minoxidil may lead to the following side effects:

• Skin irritation

• Chest pain

• Heart palpitations

• Low blood pressure

• Headaches

• Swelling

Be sure to let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience any side effects or take other medications while treating hair loss. Health experts recommend avoiding drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while using minoxidil or finasteride.

Certain medications, like aspirin and cyclosporine, may negatively interact with minoxidil. As with any medication, there is a risk of an allergic reaction while taking finasteride or minoxidil. A healthcare provider can recommend alternate treatment options if needed.

How Do You Take Medication for Hair Loss?

Depending on the severity of your hair loss, a healthcare provider may give you varying instructions on a treatment plan. Topical minoxidil and finasteride are both applied directly to the scalp. For men, a healthcare provider may recommend applying 5% topical minoxidil or 0.25% topical finasteride to the scalp twice daily. Topical minoxidil or finasteride may begin to work within an hour of taking the medication.

Generally, the recommended dosage for oral finasteride is one tablet a day (1 mg) to treat male pattern baldness. The recommended dosage for oral minoxidil can range from 2.5 to 10 mg (milligrams) daily. Typically, a healthcare provider may recommend lower dosages of oral minoxidil. Most healthcare providers prescribe topical minoxidil more often than oral minoxidil for hair loss.

Which Option Works Best For Men?

While both medications are effective for men, finasteride is formulated more specifically for male pattern baldness. It treats male pattern baldness and may potentially treat an enlarged prostate in men. Still, mixing finasteride and minoxidil may make hair loss treatment more effective. Minoxidil is still one of the most popular hair loss treatments for men.

Every experience with hair loss treatment is unique to the individual. A licensed healthcare provider can help you get a better idea of the best treatment for you.

How Much Does Hair Loss Treatment Cost?

The cost of finasteride or minoxidil varies based on the manufacturer, health insurance coverage, and your choice of pharmacy. You can also find online discounts for medications to help manage the cost.

How Rex MD Can Help

Rex MD offers hair loss treatment at an affordable price. Rex MD offers FDA-approved medications like finasteride to help you treat hair loss quickly and effectively. Rex MD helps you find the best treatment plan without the hassle of multiple doctor visits. Rex MD also often offers discounts to help with the cost of hair loss treatment.

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