Finasteride 5 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Benign prostate enlargement (BPH) in men – shrinks the prostate and improves urine flow over months; Reducing the risk of acute urine retention and the need for prostate surgery in men with an enlarged prostate.
Listed MRPs range from ₹4.12 to ₹36.95 per tablet across 7 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finasteride Tablets IP 5mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹41.25 | ₹4.12 | 19 October 2026 |
| Finara 5 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 10 | ₹90.42 | ₹9.04 | 19 October 2026 |
| Fincept 5 | Lupin Ltd | 10 | ₹103.13 | ₹10.31 | 19 October 2026 |
| Finastrate 5 | Prevego Healthcare & Research Private Limited | 10 | ₹187.50 | ₹18.75 | 19 October 2026 |
| Finostar 5 | Knoll Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹206.06 | ₹20.61 | 19 October 2026 |
| Fincar | Cipla Ltd | 10 | ₹268.53 | ₹26.85 | 19 October 2026 |
| Finast | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 30 | ₹1108.50 | ₹36.95 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Benign prostate enlargement (BPH) in men – shrinks the prostate and improves urine flow over months.
- Reducing the risk of acute urine retention and the need for prostate surgery in men with an enlarged prostate.
- Used together with tamsulosin when the prostate is large.
How to take it
Take one 5 mg tablet once a day at about the same time, with or without food. Swallow it whole with water; do not split or crush it. Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle broken or crushed tablets. It works slowly – urine flow usually improves after 3 to 6 months and the prostate keeps shrinking with continued use, so it is a long-term medicine taken for years. Do not stop without talking to your doctor; symptoms return. Tell any doctor doing a PSA blood test that you take finasteride, as it roughly halves the PSA value. See a doctor urgently if you cannot pass urine at all.
Side effects
Common
- Reduced sex drive.
- Difficulty getting or keeping an erection.
- Less semen on ejaculation.
- Breast tenderness or slight enlargement.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- A lump, pain or discharge from the nipple – needs checking for breast cancer.
- Low mood or depression, or thoughts of self-harm – contact your doctor at once.
- Severe allergic reaction – swelling of the lips, face or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Sexual side effects that continue after stopping (reported rarely).
Safety information
Alcohol
No direct interaction, but alcohol worsens urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate and erection problems.
Pregnancy
For men only. Pregnant women must not take or handle crushed tablets because it can harm a male baby's development. Use a condom if your partner is pregnant or may become pregnant.
Kidney problems
No dose change is needed for kidney disease.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; finasteride is processed by the liver and caution is advised.
Children
Not for children.
Missed dose
If it is less than 6 hours since the dose was due, take it; otherwise skip it and take the next dose as usual. Never double up.
Interactions
- St John's wort – may reduce finasteride's effect; avoid.
- Tamsulosin or alfuzosin – commonly combined for BPH; no harmful interaction.
- Other medicines – NHS notes no important interactions, but tell your doctor what you take.
- Do not donate blood while taking finasteride and for a month after stopping, so it cannot reach a pregnant woman.
Frequently asked questions
What is Finast 5 mg used for?
Finast contains finasteride 5 mg, used for an enlarged prostate (BPH). It blocks the hormone that makes the prostate grow, shrinking it over months and improving urine flow.
Finasteride 1 mg vs 5 mg – what is the difference?
1 mg (Finpecia, Finax) is the hair-loss dose; 5 mg (Finast, Fincar) is the prostate dose. Do not take 5 mg for hair loss on your own – it gives no extra benefit and more side effects.
How long does Fincar take to work for the prostate?
Urine flow usually starts improving after 3 to 6 months, and the full effect can take a year. It is a long-term medicine.
Can Finast be taken with Veltam or Urimax?
Yes. Tamsulosin relaxes the prostate quickly while finasteride shrinks it slowly, so urologists often prescribe both together, sometimes as one combination tablet.
Does Finast affect sex life?
Reduced sex drive, erection difficulty and less semen are the most common side effects. They often improve with time and usually reverse after stopping, though rarely they persist.
Can women take or touch Finast?
Women should not take it. Pregnant women or those who may become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets, because it can harm a male baby's genital development.
Does finasteride affect the PSA test?
Yes. It roughly halves the PSA value after about 6 months. Tell the doctor you are on finasteride so the result is interpreted correctly.
Can I take Finast with alcohol?
There is no direct interaction, but alcohol worsens night-time urination and erection problems, so keep it moderate.
Is Finast available without a prescription?
No. Finasteride is a Schedule H medicine and prostate symptoms need a doctor's examination first to rule out other causes.
Sources
- NHS – Finasteride: how and when to take (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Finasteride: side effects (19 October 2026)
- NHS – Finasteride: taking with other medicines (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms