Is it safe to change finasteride dose?

Question

I use propecia(finasteride 1mg) but there wasnt available for the last week...so i bought a generic version (5mg) and i cut it to 4 pieces (1.25mg)...is it safe?...should i go back to 1mg when i can or should i continue with 1.25mg?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, you can change your dose, but I suggest seeing a hair loss expert now to go over your condition and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like prp/progesterone which can help with hair regrowth and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Robert Jones, MD, FISHRS · Answer

Hi, It is perfectly safe and effective to take a quarter of a 5 mg pill daily of finasteride. This is usually the way I prescribe it, as it reduces the cost significantly. Dr. Robert Jones

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Yes, this method is a method used by countless numbers of men using finasteride. Ocassionally, a patient will find that Propecia 1 mg daily just works better than them splitting 5 mg pills. That doesn’t happen all too often but when it does we switch back from 5 to 1 mg.

Sara Wasserbauer, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is safe, but not really advised according to Merck.  Try not to let the ladies of childbearing age handle the broken pills.  
That being said, I have thousands of patients who had done this for years. The extra 0.25 mg might actually help your hair to grow little bit better. All the studies have shown that the effect of finasteride is dose-dependent, so more is actually better!
Good luck!

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Yes, it is safe to change your dose of finasteride. The goal should be to get 7 mgs per week taken by mouth in any order you wish. Many people take the generic 5mg pill and cut it ubti quarters

Is it safe to change finasteride dose?

Answers (5)

Answer: 1.25 mg finasteride vs. 1mg finasteride

Answer: 1.25 mg finasteride vs. 1mg finasteride

Answer: Changing finasteride dose

Answer: Changing finasteride dose

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is it safe to change finasteride dose?

Answers (5)

Answer: 1.25 mg finasteride vs. 1mg finasteride

Answer: 1.25 mg finasteride vs. 1mg finasteride

Answer: Changing finasteride dose

Answer: Changing finasteride dose

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.