How much does finasteride cost?

Finasteride is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat male pattern hair loss at a lower dose and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, at a higher dose. So how much does finasteride cost? On Ro, generic oral finasteride (1 mg) costs $16–$20 per month, if prescribed, while pharmacy prices vary by store and coupon, and brand-name versions cost more. 

Below, we break down what finasteride costs on Ro and at the pharmacy, whether insurance covers it, and ways to save.

The cost of finasteride without insurance depends on three main factors:

• Where you get your prescription. You need a prescription to get finasteride. Some telehealth platforms, such as Ro, include a virtual consultation with a licensed healthcare provider at no extra cost. If you see a healthcare provider in person, the cost of the appointment is separate from the cost of your Rx and depends on your insurance.

• Where you buy finasteride. Pharmacies and telehealth platforms set their own prices, and pharmacy discount cards can lower cash prices further. On Ro, oral finasteride (1 mg) costs $16–$20 per month, and topical finasteride compounded with minoxidil and tretinoin (Ro Mane Spray) costs $43–$50 per month.

• Whether you’re taking the brand-name or generic. Generic finasteride costs significantly less than brand-name Propecia or Proscar. This is standard for generic medications, which have the same active ingredient as their brand-name counterparts and are expected to work the same way, but usually cost much less.

How much does oral finasteride cost without insurance?

On Ro, oral finasteride costs $16–$20 per month, if prescribed, depending on the plan you choose:

• With a 12-month plan, oral finasteride costs $16 per month, or $0.53 per day.

• With a six-month plan, oral finasteride costs $18 per month, or $0.60 per day.

• With a quarterly plan, oral finasteride costs $20 per month, or $0.67 per day.

These prices are for the 1 mg tablet strength typically prescribed for hair loss. The 5 mg tablet is typically prescribed for BPH. 

Because finasteride is a prescription-only medication, you'll need to meet with a licensed healthcare provider before you can start using it. On Ro, the virtual consultation and shipping are included at no extra cost. If you get a prescription from an in-person healthcare provider instead, the cost of the visit depends on your insurance coverage.

According to SingleCare, the average list price for a 90-day supply of generic oral finasteride at major pharmacies is about $41–$234, or roughly $14–$78 per month. Discount coupons can lower that considerably: SingleCare's average coupon prices work out to about $5–$25 per month for a 90-day supply, and a 30-day fill typically costs about $7–$24, depending on the pharmacy and ZIP code. Coupon prices are in a similar range for the 5 mg strength typically prescribed for BPH.

Brand-name oral finasteride costs much more than the generic. According to SingleCare, Propecia costs an average of $132–$147 per month, while Proscar costs an average of $189–$203 per month. Propecia is the brand name for the 1 mg strength prescribed for hair loss, while Proscar is the brand name for the 5 mg strength used for BPH.

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How much does topical finasteride cost without insurance?

On Ro, topical finasteride in Ro Mane Spray costs $43–$50 per month, depending on the plan you choose:

• With a six-month plan, topical finasteride costs $43 per month, or $1.43 per day.

• With a quarterly plan, topical finasteride costs $50 per month, or $1.67 per day.

Unlike oral finasteride, topical finasteride is not FDA-approved. Research suggests it may be similarly effective, especially when combined with topical minoxidil (another common treatment for hair loss).

Topical finasteride is currently available in compounded medications that combine it with minoxidil, as is the case with Ro Mane Spray, which also contains tretinoin. Compounded medications are custom-made by a pharmacy and don't go through the FDA approval process for safety, quality, or effectiveness review. In 2025, the FDA alerted healthcare providers and consumers to reports of side effects with compounded topical finasteride products, such as sexual side effects, anxiety, and depression.

Other telehealth companies list topical finasteride and minoxidil products for about $35–$119 per month, depending on the formulation and plan length. To see how minoxidil compares on its own, check out how much minoxidil costs.

Finasteride may or may not be covered by insurance, depending on what you take it for. In general, finasteride is more likely to be covered when prescribed for BPH. Because hair loss is often considered cosmetic, insurance may be less likely to cover finasteride for that use, even though male pattern hair loss and BPH are both FDA-approved uses of the medication. Coverage varies by plan, so it's worth checking your benefits.

How to get finasteride covered by insurance 

If your insurance plan covers finasteride, check for coverage requirements, such as prior authorization. If your plan doesn't cover it, your healthcare provider can request an exception, or you can file an appeal. These requests aren't always approved.

There are several ways to save on finasteride and lower the cost of your monthly Rx.

• Get a multi-month prescription of finasteride on Ro. Ro offers three-, six-, and 12-month plans for finasteride. The longer the plan, the lower the monthly cost. For example, oral finasteride costs $16 per month with a 12-month plan vs. $20 per month with a quarterly plan, saving $48 per year.

• Opt for generic vs. brand-name finasteride. Generic finasteride contains the same active ingredient as brand-name finasteride and can produce the same results. The main difference is price: Propecia costs about $132–$147 per month, while generic finasteride costs a fraction of that.

• Order a 90-day supply. Research suggests that 90-day supplies may cost less per month than 30-day fills, and SingleCare's pricing data points the same way: generic finasteride works out to about $4–$11 per month with a 90-day coupon fill, compared with about $7–$24 for a 30-day fill. A 90-day supply may cost more upfront, but you may pay less overall for your prescription.

• Use pharmacy coupons or savings. Websites such as GoodRx, SingleCare, and Optum Perks offer free discount cards you can use at local pharmacies to lower the price of your Rx. Visit the website, search for finasteride, select your dose, and print or save the coupon for your pharmacy. With a coupon, generic finasteride can cost about $7–$24 for a 30-day fill, or about $4–$11 per month for a 90-day fill, at major pharmacies, according to SingleCare. Prices vary by pharmacy, so it can help to compare a few.

• Check your insurance coverage. Finasteride may be less likely to be covered when it's prescribed for hair loss, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's never covered. Call your insurance plan or check its list of covered medications to see whether your prescription is included.

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If you're seeing signs of balding or a receding hairline, finasteride is one treatment option a healthcare provider may recommend. Generic finasteride is widely available, which can make it a more affordable way to slow or reverse hair loss. Here's what to know about how much finasteride costs:

• Generic oral finasteride, if prescribed, is the most affordable form at $16–$20 per month on Ro. Pharmacy coupons can bring generic finasteride to about $7–$24 for a 30-day fill or about $4–$11 per month for a 90-day fill, but you'll need a prescription first.

• Brand-name Propecia and Proscar cost more, at about $132–$203 per month at pharmacies without insurance.

• Ro Mane Spray, a compounded topical medication that contains finasteride, minoxidil, and tretinoin, costs $43–$50 per month on Ro. It isn't FDA-approved.

• Insurance is more likely to cover finasteride for BPH than for hair loss, which is often considered cosmetic, so it's worth checking your plan's coverage for your specific use.

• You can lower the cost of finasteride by signing up for a multi-month plan on Ro, choosing the generic over the brand-name, ordering a 90-day supply, and comparing pharmacy coupon prices.