Generic finasteride costs $10 to $30 per month in 2026, making it the most cost-effective FDA-approved treatment for male pattern hair loss. Brand-name Propecia runs $70 to $90 per month for the identical active ingredient. At 1mg daily, finasteride halts further hair loss in 80 to 90% of men and produces measurable regrowth in 65%, with results typically visible at 3 to 6 months.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or medical advice.
Finasteride Pricing Comparison
The price spread between sources is large enough that where you buy finasteride matters almost as much as whether you take it. Here is what each channel charges in 2026.
Retail Pharmacy Pricing
| Source | Monthly Cost (Generic 1mg) | Monthly Cost (Brand Propecia) |
|---|---|---|
| CVS (retail price) | $25 to $35 | $75 to $90 |
| CVS (with GoodRx) | $8 to $15 | $65 to $80 |
| Walgreens (retail price) | $25 to $35 | $70 to $85 |
| Walgreens (with GoodRx) | $8 to $15 | $60 to $75 |
| Costco (member price) | $5 to $10 | $55 to $70 |
| Walmart | $10 to $20 | $70 to $85 |
| Amazon Pharmacy | $8 to $15 | Not available |
Costco consistently offers the lowest retail pharmacy pricing for generic finasteride. You do not need a Costco membership to use their pharmacy in most states, though members get additional discounts.
Online Telehealth Subscriptions
| Service | Monthly Cost | Includes Consultation | Includes Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hims | $25 to $35 | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps | $20 to $30 | Yes | Yes |
| Roman | $20 to $45 | Yes | Yes |
| Blink Health | $10 to $15 | No (need own Rx) | Yes |
| Mark Cuban Cost Plus | $3 to $5 | No (need own Rx) | $5 flat shipping |
Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs offers the lowest absolute price at roughly $3 to $5 per month, but you need an existing prescription from your own doctor. The telehealth platforms (Hims, Keeps, Roman) charge more but bundle in the consultation and prescription, which simplifies the process for first-time patients.
The 5mg Splitting Strategy
Finasteride 5mg (brand name Proscar) is FDA-approved for prostate enlargement (BPH) and is often covered by insurance for that indication. Some patients, with their doctor's approval, obtain a 5mg prescription and split the tablets into quarters using a pill cutter.
Cost Math for 5mg Splitting
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Finasteride 5mg (90 tablets, generic) | $15 to $30 |
| Pill cutter | $5 (one-time) |
| Effective daily dose | 1.25mg (one quarter) |
| Effective monthly cost | $5 to $10 |
| Annual cost | $60 to $120 |
This approach requires a doctor willing to prescribe 5mg finasteride for hair loss, which not all providers will do. The tablets are scored and split reasonably evenly, though each quarter will range from approximately 1.0 to 1.5mg. Clinical data shows this dose range is still effective and safe.
Annual Cost Comparison
Over years of use, the cost differences compound significantly.
| Source | Annual Cost | 5-Year Cost | 10-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Propecia (retail) | $840 to $1,080 | $4,200 to $5,400 | $8,400 to $10,800 |
| Generic (retail pharmacy) | $300 to $420 | $1,500 to $2,100 | $3,000 to $4,200 |
| Generic (GoodRx) | $96 to $180 | $480 to $900 | $960 to $1,800 |
| Generic (Costco) | $60 to $120 | $300 to $600 | $600 to $1,200 |
| Generic (Cost Plus Drugs) | $36 to $60 | $180 to $300 | $360 to $600 |
| 5mg split (generic) | $60 to $120 | $300 to $600 | $600 to $1,200 |
A patient taking generic finasteride through Cost Plus Drugs for 10 years spends roughly $360 to $600 total. That same patient buying brand Propecia at retail would spend $8,400 to $10,800 for the identical clinical outcome.
Insurance and HSA Coverage
Insurance
Most health insurance plans classify hair loss treatment as cosmetic and do not cover finasteride prescribed for androgenetic alopecia. However, if you also have BPH symptoms, a urologist can prescribe finasteride 5mg for that indication, and insurance will typically cover it.
HSA and FSA
Finasteride prescribed for hair loss qualifies as an eligible expense under Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) with a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor. This effectively gives you a 20 to 35% discount depending on your tax bracket.
Side Effects and the Cost of Switching
Finasteride causes sexual side effects (decreased libido, erectile difficulties) in 2 to 4% of men. These side effects are reversible upon stopping the medication in the vast majority of cases. If finasteride does not work for you, the next step is typically adding topical minoxidil (40 to 60% regrowth rate, $15 to $50/month) or considering a surgical option.
For patients at Norwood 3 and above, finasteride works best as a complement to a hair transplant rather than a standalone treatment. It protects native hair from further loss while the transplanted follicles provide density where hair has already gone.
Find Your Treatment Path
Upload a photo at myhairline.ai/analyze to get an AI-powered assessment of your hair loss stage and a personalized recommendation on whether finasteride, minoxidil, a transplant, or a combination approach is the right fit for your situation.