Minoxidil

Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine^® products like Women’s Rogaine^®, is a topical medication used to treat hair loss and promote hair regrowth by stimulating hair follicles and increasing blood flow to the scalp. It is FDA-approved to treat male and female pattern baldness. 

Minoxidil is available as a foam or solution and is applied directly to the scalp, typically once or twice daily. Common side effects include scalp irritation, itching, and unwanted facial hair growth in some cases. People with scalp conditions or those using other topical products should be cautious about using this product, and folks who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare provider before using it. 

Topical minoxidil is available in many formulations, including some meant for use in men. The information below is specifically about Women's Rogaine Unscented^® and may not be accurate for other formulations of topical minoxidil.

Men's Rogaine Extra Strength Unscented (minoxidil 5%) is used:

• To regrow hair on the top of the scalp

Vasodilator

Stop use and ask a doctor if:

• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, or dizziness occurs

• Sudden, unexplained weight gain occurs

• Your hands or feet swell

• Scalp irritation or redness occurs

• Unwanted facial hair growth occurs

• You do not see hair regrowth in 4 months

The cost of minoxidil may vary depending on factors such as the form of the medication and where you buy it. 

Topical minoxidil is available without a prescription from many pharmacies and online retailers, including through the Hims platform, where minoxidil solution costs $15 per month and minoxidil foam costs between $19 and $30 per month depending on the subscription plan you choose. Elsewhere, the average retail price of a one-month supply of topical minoxidil is between $15 and $30, but coupons or discount cards may be available to reduce the price.

You can buy topical minoxidil over-the-counter at many pharmacies or via online retailers. 

For a more convenient option, you can get minoxidil foam or minoxidil solution through the Hims platform, which offers subscription options that ship several months’ worth of the product to you at a time.

• For external use only

• For use by men only

• Flammable: Keep away from fire or flame

• Do not use if:

  • You are a woman

  • Your amount of hair loss is different than that shown on the carton or your hair loss is on the front of the scalp. 5% minoxidil topical solution is not intended for frontal baldness or receding hairline

  • You have no family history of hair loss

  • Your hair loss is sudden and/or patchy

  • You do not know the reason for your hair loss

  • You are under 18 years of age. Do not use on babies and children

  • Your scalp is red, inflamed, infected, irritated, or painful

  • You use other medicines on the scalp

• Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease

• When using this product:

  • Do not apply on other parts of the body

  • Avoid contact with the eyes. In case of accidental contact, rinse eyes with large amounts of cool tap water

  • Some people have experienced changes in hair color and/or texture

  • It takes time to regrow hair. Results may occur at 2 months with twice a day usage. For some men, you may need to use this product for at least 4 months before you see results

  • The amount of hair regrowth is different for each person. This product will not work for all men

• Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: May be harmful if used when pregnant or breastfeeding

There are other options for hair loss and male pattern baldness besides topical minoxidil, although some may be more effective than others. They include:

• Hair transplant surgery

• Low-level light therapy

• Microneedling

• Oral finasteride 

• Oral minoxidil (prescribed off-label at the discretion of a healthcare provider)

• Platelet-rich plasma therapy for hair loss

• Scalp micropigmentation

• Targeted hair care products such as thickening shampoo

• Combination products, such as topical finasteride and minoxidil spray (prescribed at the discretion of a healthcare provider)

• Biotin and other supplements that support healthy hair

*This information is from the label for Men's Rogaine Extra Strength Unscented^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Men Rogaine Extra Strength Unscented, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient minoxidil.