Propecia

Propecia is a brand name of finasteride, approved by the FDA in the following formulation(s):

PROPECIA (finasteride - tablet; oral)

• 
  Manufacturer: MERCK
  
  Approval date: December 19, 1997
  
  Strength(s): 1MG ^[RLD][AB]

Has a generic version of Propecia been approved?

A generic version of Propecia has been approved by the FDA. However, this does not mean that the product will necessarily be commercially available - possibly because of drug patents and/or drug exclusivity. The following products are equivalent to Propecia and have been approved by the FDA:

finasteride tablet; oral

• 
  Manufacturer: DR REDDYS LABS INC
  
  Approval date: July 28, 2006
  
  Strength(s): 1MG ^[AB]

Note: Fraudulent online pharmacies may attempt to sell an illegal generic version of Propecia. These medications may be counterfeit and potentially unsafe. If you purchase medications online, be sure you are buying from a reputable and valid online pharmacy. Ask your health care provider for advice if you are unsure about the online purchase of any medication.

See also: About generic drugs.

Related Patents

Patents are granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at any time during a drug's development and may include a wide range of claims.

• 
  Method of treating androgenic alopecia with 5-.alpha. reductase inhibitors
  Patent 5,547,957
  Issued: August 20, 1996
  Inventor(s): Gormley; Glenn J. & Kaufman; Keith D. & Stoner; Elizabeth & Waldstreicher; Joanne
  Assignee(s): Merck & Co., Inc.
  The instant invention involves a method of treating and/or reversing androgenic alopecia and promoting hair growth, and methods of treating acne vulgaris, seborrhea, and female hirsutism, by administering to a patient in need of such treatment a 5.alpha.-reductase 2 inhibitor, such as finasteride, in a dosage amount under 5 mgs/day.
  
  Patent expiration dates:
  
  
  • October 15, 2013
    
    ✓ 
    Patent use: TREATING MALE PATTERN BALDNESS WITH 0.05 TO 3.0MG/DAY
  
  



• 
  Methods of treating androgenic alopecia with finasteride [17.beta.-N-mono-substituted-carbamoyl-4-aza-5-.alpha.-androst-1-en-ones]
  Patent 5,571,817
  Issued: November 5, 1996
  Inventor(s): Rasmusson; Gary H. & Reynolds; Glenn F.
  Assignee(s): Merck & Co., Inc.
  17.beta.-N-monosubstituted-carbamoyl-4-5.alpha.-androst-1-en-3-ones of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl and R.sup.2 is a branched chain alkyl of from 3-12 carbons, and R', R", R'" are hydrogen or methyl are active as testosterone 5.alpha.-reductase inhibitors and thus are useful topically for treatment of androgenic alopecia.
  
  Patent expiration dates:
  
  
  • November 5, 2013
    
    ✓ 
    Patent use: TREATMENT OF ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA BY ORAL ADMINISTRATION DRUG SUBSTANCE
  
  



• 
  Finasteride processes
  Patent 5,886,184
  Issued: March 23, 1999
  Inventor(s): Dolling; Ulf H. & McCauley; James A. & Varsolona; Richard J.
  Assignee(s): Merck & Co., Inc.
  Disclosed is a new process for producing finasteride which involves reacting the magnesium halide salt of 17.beta.-carboalkoxy-4-aza-5.alpha.-androst-1-en-3-one with t-butylamino magnesium halide, present in at least a 2:1 molar ratio to the ester, formed from t-butyl amine and an aliphatic/aryl magnesium halide at ambient temperature in an inert organic solvent under an inert atmosphere followed by heating and recovering the product finasteride. Also disclosed are two polymorphic crystalline Forms I and II of finasteride, and methods of their production.
  
  Patent expiration dates:
  
  
  • November 19, 2012
    
  
  

See also...

• Propecia Consumer Information (Drugs.com)
• Propecia Consumer Information (Wolters Kluwer)
• Propecia Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
• Propecia Advanced Consumer Information (Micromedex)
• Finasteride Consumer Information (Wolters Kluwer)
• Finasteride Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
• Finasteride Advanced Consumer Information (Micromedex)
• Finasteride AHFS DI Monographs (ASHP)