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Does UnitedHealthcare Cover Finasteride?

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At a glance

  • Drug / finasteride 1 mg (hair loss) and 5 mg (BPH) [1][2]
  • Prescription status / prescription-only in both strengths [1][2]
  • Approved oral strengths / 1 mg (Propecia) and 5 mg (Proscar) [1][2]
  • Approved hair-loss population / men only [1]
  • 1 mg label effective date / 2024-10-14 [3]

The Two Finasteride Products Are Separate Approvals

Finasteride 1 mg is Propecia, NDA 020788, approved 12/19/1997 and currently held by Organon; the current label is effective 2024-10-14 [1][3]. It is indicated for male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only, efficacy in bitemporal recession has not been established, and it is not indicated for use in women [1][3].

Finasteride 5 mg is Proscar, NDA 020180, approved 06/19/1992, also Organon, with a label that took effect 2026-03-18 [2]. It is indicated for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate: to improve symptoms and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and of surgery. It is not approved to prevent prostate cancer [2].

Strengths and Forms

FDA records identify Propecia as a 1 mg oral tablet and Proscar as a 5 mg oral tablet [1][2]. Generic and brand tablets have the same labeled risks. Both strengths are prescription-only [1][2], and Propecia is indicated for men only [1][3].

What the Label Says About Taking It

Propecia is one 1 mg tablet once daily, with or without food. Daily use for three months or more is usually needed before benefit is seen, continued use is needed to sustain it, and stopping leads to reversal of the effect within 12 months [3]. Proscar is 5 mg once daily [4].

In three 12-month controlled trials of finasteride 1 mg (945 men on drug, 934 on placebo, aged 18 to 41), drug-related decreased libido was reported by 1.8% versus 1.3%, erectile dysfunction by 1.3% versus 0.7%, and ejaculation disorder by 1.2% versus 0.7%; 3.8% versus 2.1% reported one or more of these (p=0.04) [3].

The labels also list decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorder among reported adverse reactions [3][4]. Pregnancy is a contraindication, and women who are or may be pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets [3][4].

Is Finasteride Used for Women?

Propecia 1 mg is not indicated for women [3]. Proscar 5 mg is not indicated for females [4]; a 1-year trial in 137 postmenopausal women found no significant difference in hair-count change versus placebo, and both groups lost hair in the frontal/parietal scalp [5]. Use in women is outside the labeled indication, and that trial showed no benefit.

Frequently asked questions

Does UnitedHealthcare cover finasteride?
We found no UnitedHealthcare formulary or policy naming finasteride, so we cannot say. Finasteride is prescription-only in both strengths [1][2].
What strengths does finasteride come in?
FDA records identify Propecia as a 1 mg oral tablet and Proscar as a 5 mg oral tablet, and both strengths are prescription-only [1][2].
Is finasteride for hair loss the same product as finasteride for BPH?
No. Propecia 1 mg is approved for male pattern hair loss in men only, and efficacy in bitemporal recession is not established [1]. Proscar 5 mg is approved for symptomatic BPH and is not approved to prevent prostate cancer [2].
Was finasteride shown to work in postmenopausal women?
In a 1-year placebo-controlled trial of 137 postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia, finasteride 1 mg produced no significant difference in hair count change compared with placebo [5].
How is finasteride taken?
Propecia is one 1 mg tablet once daily, with or without food; benefit usually needs three months or more of daily use, continued use sustains it, and stopping reverses the effect within 12 months [3]. Proscar is 5 mg once daily [4].

References

  1. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs
  2. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs
  3. U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) tablets, Organon prescribing information. Propecia (finasteride 1 mg) tablets, Organon label
  4. U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Proscar (finasteride 5 mg) tablets, Organon prescribing information. Proscar (finasteride 5 mg) tablets, Organon label
  5. Price VH, Roberts JL, Hordinsky M, Olsen EA, Savin R, Bergfeld W, et al. Lack of efficacy of finasteride in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000;43(5 Pt 1):768-76. Lack of efficacy of finasteride in postmenopausal women with androgenetic alopecia
Evidence overview for Does UnitedHealthcare Cover Finasteride?