Dutasteride and finasteride are closely related medications, but there are some clear differences in pricing and availability. In this article, we’ll cover how much dutasteride costs, reasons for why dutasteride might be more expensive compared to finasteride and why some custom formulations of dutasteride cost more.
How much does dutasteride cost?
The first thing to be aware of is the fact that dutasteride is available in two forms: a branded version, sold under the name Avodart and an unbranded (generic) version. Typically, generic versions of medications cost much less than branded versions.
There may be significant price variations when it comes to generic dutasteride. This is because cost may be influenced by region, pharmacy dispensing costs, as well as patient insurance programs that may help substantially decrease out-of-pocket expenses. In general, generic versions of dutasteride are approximately four to five times less costly than Avodart.
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Does dutasteride cost more than finasteride?
When comparing generic dutasteride to generic finasteride, dutasteride does cost more than finasteride. The pricing of medications depends on a few factors:
- Research and development
- Manufacturing costs
- How unique the medication is
- Competition with similar medications
- Potential to change prescribing practices, or reduce overall healthcare costs (Hawley, 2022)
Dutasteride is a newer medication that has not yet been approved by the FDA or Health Canada for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. Additionally, based on available research data, it may also be more potent and is potentially superior to finasteride in its ability to lower DHT and treat hair loss. Furthermore, dutasteride may be able to achieve these clinical results while having a similar side effect profile to finasteride (Zhou et al., 2019). For these reasons, dutasteride is currently the costlier medication.
Why does topical dutasteride cost more?
In addition to generic versions of dutasteride, compounded topical forms of dutasteride are also available with a prescription from a licensed physician. Topical formulations of dutasteride can vary in price for many reasons, including the choice of base or vehicle that dutasteride is being compounded in.
It’s important to remember that compounded medications are not FDA approved but allow drugs like dutasteride to be customized to meet patients’ needs for a specific delivery method or concentration.XYON’s Topical Dutasteride with SiloxysSystem™ Gel is one example of a topical formulation. It costs slightly more than other topicals currently available on the market because of our investment in research and development, formulation, the sourcing of ingredients for our gel base and compounding costs of the pharmacies we have chosen to partner with. The result is a clinical-grade gel with the unique ability to deliver medications precisely to the scalp in a timed-release way. Other formulations of topical dutasteride use less sophisticated bases that are not only less expensive to produce, but don’t have the added advantage of administering the active ingredient in a controlled manner. Learn more about topical dutasteride.
Dutasteride cost: Takeaway
In general, dutasteride is a costlier medication than finasteride. There are also price differences between compounded topical formulations of dutasteride. Since treating hair loss is a commitment and you’ll get the best results with consistent application, you may want to consider all of your options to find the one that best meets your needs, clinically and financially. If you have any questions or concerns about the cost of dutasteride or the differences between different formulations, we recommend that you contact your doctor.
