Propecia, developed in 1992, is a drug that was used to treat prostate cancer in men until 1997 when it was approved by the FDA to treat male pattern baldness conditions in men. Propecia is taken orally, and has been proven to improve hair loss conditions in about 30-65% of the men who take it, so it is not a guaranteed cure for hair loss. It is most effective in the crown area, although Propecia has also proven to be effective in re stimulating hair growth around the hairline. In 2006, Merck's patent on Propecia expired, allowing other companies such as Cipla and Ranbaxy to market generic versions of the drug with no infringement repercussions.

Some of the offshoot, generic brands of Propecia (Finasteride) are Finax Finasteride, Fincar Finasteride, and Prosteride. After the patent expired, these medications were sold around the world in 5 milligram doses. The fact that the patent has expired has opened up doors for other drug companies other than Merck, to market finasteride in 5 milligram tablets as a treatment for male pattern baldness.

Of course, with or without a patent, Propecia and its duplicates do have side effects. The active ingredient in Propecia is of course Finasteride. Finasteride has been proven to cause birth defects in women with unborn babies, even if not ingested. All a woman has to do to get finasteride into her system is to handle to the crumbs from crushed tablets, and it gets into the blood. It can also be transferred through breast milk, and finasteride certainly is not healthy for infants.