The drug propecia came out in the 1980’s as a treatment for the enlarged prostate.  It was not until the mid-1990’s that propecia was discovered to work as a remedy for hair loss. 

Approvel of finastride
Finasteride was approved initially in 1992 as Proscar, a treatment for prostate enlargement, but the sponsor had studied 1 mg of finasteride and demonstrated hair growth in male pattern hair loss. On December 22, 1997, the FDA approved finasteride to treat male pattern hair loss.

Before propecia
Before propecia, there was no easy and convenient cure for hair loss.  People suffering from hair loss would experiment with shampoos, mousses, and vitamins in an attempt to grow hair.  However, nothing worked.  Most people who were very self-conscious about their hair loss would resort to wigs and toupees, which were often unnatural in appearance. 

In the past few years
In the past few years, medicine has made tremendous strides in the treatment of men's hair loss. With the advent of 5-alpha-reductace inhibitors such as Propecia and the evolution of surgical hair restoration, living with noticeable hair loss is no longer inevitable. For the first time in the history it is now possible to stop or slow the progression of hair loss and to replace lost hair through surgery with completely natural results.

 Rogaine

Rogaine came out several years before propecia as a working medication to treat hair loss.  Although Rogaine worked to treat hair loss, it was an inconvenient medication, especially in comparison to the pill form of propecia.  Propecia was the first oral medication used to treat hair loss.  Once it was accidentally discovered that propecia worked as a treatment for hair loss, the drug went on the market and immediately became the popular remedy that for years, many had been looking for.

The Propecia launch came at a time of regulatory change, which made advertising of prescription drugs to consumers more feasible.