Finasteride was approved initially by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992 as Proscar®, a treatment for prostate enlargement, but the sponsor - Merck & Co. - demonstrated in further clinical studied that using 1 mg of finasteride was effective in treating hair growth in male pattern hair loss. As a result, in December 22nd 1997, the FDA approved finasteride (Propecia®) to treat male pattern hair loss.

On June 19th 2006, Merck's patents on Proscar® and Propecia® expired and the FDA approved a first-time generic formulation for finasteride 5 mg tablets. As a result, Cipla is also manufacturing finasteride (under the brand names Fincar® and Finpecia®), as is Dr. Reddy's (Finax® and Finast®), Ranbaxy (Finara®), and  Aleppo Pharmaceuticals (Prosteride®).

Please visit the official site of the FDA for further information.

 

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