Provided by You Health for patients

Rx Hair Loss Spray

Topical Finasteride 0.3% + Minoxidil 6% Spray

Topical finasteride 0.3% + minoxidil 6% spray is compounded by licensed pharmacists using active pharmaceutical ingredients, finasteride and minoxidil. Unless otherwise indicated, the safety information below is based on the known safety profiles of these active ingredients as used in the compounded medication. Like all compounded medications, topical finasteride 0.3% + minoxidil 6% spray is not FDA approved. This means that the safety, effectiveness, and quality of this medication has not been verified by the FDA, as the FDA does not verify the safety, effectiveness, and quality of any compounded drugs. The following provides a medication overview of topical finasteride 0.3% + minoxidil 6% spray, how the active ingredients work, and how to effectively and safely use it to support hair loss. It does not contain all possible information. You will also receive a physical document called a medication guide or patient drug information in the package with your medication when it arrives from the pharmacy which contains full information about topical finasteride 0.3% + minoxidil 6% spray. Please read all of the information, specific to the medication(s) you were prescribed, before taking your medication and at each refill. It's important to take your medication as directed by your provider and to always read your prescription label and follow your healthcare provider's instructions. If you're not sure which medication you were prescribed, please reference the label on your prescription bottle or contact a member of your Care Team. The male-pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia) treatment that you have been prescribed is designed to help prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth in cisgender men, trans men, and trans women. Do not use other finasteride or minoxidil products while you are using the topical finasteride 0.3% + minoxidil 6% spray.

Are there any precautions that I should know about while using this topical medication?
  • Individuals who are pregnant (due to the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male fetus), individuals who have the ability to become pregnant, individuals who are breastfeeding, and individuals under the age of 18 should not handle this medication and should not come into contact with the site of medication application (your scalp) after the medication has been applied. If they do, they should immediately clean the site of contact on their skin with soap and water.

  • Minoxidil is suspected to be TOXIC TO CATS AND DOGS. Please do not allow cats, dogs, or other pets to ingest this medication or to come into contact with the treatment site after the medication has been applied. If these occur, consult your pet's veterinarian.

Do not use this topical medication if any of the following apply:
  • You are currently taking oral finasteride for hair loss or for treatment of an enlarged prostate (Propecia®, Proscar®). Oral finasteride and topical finasteride + minoxidil spray cannot be used at the same time

  • You are currently taking other medications in the same class as finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitors: dutasteride, Avodart®, Jalyn®)

  • You are allergic to finasteride, minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine®), or any of the inactive ingredients in Topical Finasteride + Minoxidil Spray. Inactive ingredients include: propylene glycol, citric acid and ethyl alcohol

  • You are allergic to any of the ingredients of topical finasteride + minoxidil

  • You have chronic liver disease, excluding fatty liver

  • You are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding due to the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male fetus

  • You have a history of estrogen-sensitive cancer including breast cancer in the last five years

  • You have a history of prostate cancer diagnosed in the last five years

  • You are younger than 18 years of age

How do I use this topical medication?
  • This medication should be used once a day: in the morning or at bedtime. In the evening, apply the medication 30 minutes to 1 hour before you go to bed

  • Apply a total of 4 sprays of the medication to cover the area of hair loss on the scalp. If you have multiple areas affected by hair loss, you should disperse the 4 sprays across those areas. Gently massage the medication into the scalp with your fingers. Carefully blot any excess medication to avoid it running onto your face.

  • Remove any excess medication that gets on your face with gentle soap and water. Hair can grow anywhere on the skin that the medication comes into contact with after repeated use.

  • Make sure to wash your hands with soap immediately after you apply the medicine.

  • Do not get your hair wet for at least 4 hours after application of the medication

Are there any practical tips that I should know about while using this topical medication?
  • To minimize breakage of new hair growth, brush your hair using a comb with widely spaced teeth

  • Do not use a blow dryer immediately after applying your medication to help it dry faster. This may interfere with its absorption into your scalp

What happens if I occasionally forget to apply the topical medication?
  • It’s ok to miss an application here or there but the medication only works if you use it as prescribed, once a day every day.

  • It may help to put a reminder alarm on your phone for your morning and evening treatment applications.

Can I use this topical medication more than once a day?
  • No. Using more than the recommended amount will not improve results and can increase the risk of side effects.

What should I expect during treatment with this medication?
  • You may experience some mild hair shedding in the first 2-8 weeks after starting this medication. This is normal and means that the medication is working.

  • You may experience some scalp irritation (e.g., itching, redness, stinging, flaking) when you first start using the medication. These symptoms are typically mild and short-lived.

  • Successful treatment is defined by both hair growth and hair loss stabilization (meaning hair loss isn’t getting worse), since male pattern hair loss naturally worsens over time.

What happens when I stop using this topical medication?
  • You may lose the benefit that you gained from the treatment and it is likely that the normal hair loss process will resume.

What are the common side effects of this topical medication?

You may experience side effects with this medication. These side effects are typically mild and go away with time and regular use:

  • Itching

  • Redness

  • Irritation

  • Burning sensation

  • Contact dermatitis

  • Dry & flaky scalp

If you develop any of the following symptoms, please stop using this topical medication and contact your medical provider right away:
  • Chest pain

  • Rapid heart beat

  • Faintness or dizziness

  • Sudden & unexplained weight gain

  • Swelling of hands or feet

  • Breast tenderness/enlargement

  • Unwanted facial hair growth

  • Sexual dysfunction (e.g., low libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased volume of ejaculate)

  • Symptoms of depression

  • Severe scalp irritation

  • Blurred vision or vision changes

These are not all of the possible side effects of topical finasteride + minoxidil spray. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch.

Medication disposal

If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.

If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
  • Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;

  • Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;

  • Throw away the container in your trash at home; and

  • Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging

Accurate Information

Your provider has evaluated the specific health information you provided and is making recommendations based on it. If you forgot to provide or incorrectly provided the information your provider may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment. If you need to clarify or update any information about your health you can message or call a provider through the Hims platform anytime.

Treatment Failure

This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If you do not see any signs of improvement or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, message a provider through the Hims platform anytime or contact your regular healthcare provider. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person.

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

There is also a risk that your provider will misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect the recommendation for treatment. The healthcare providers providing treatment through the Hims platform use evidence-based guidelines as well as clinical decision-making to try to minimize these risks.

Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation

Your provider is recommending this treatment for you because the potential benefits outweigh the risks in their estimation. You should evaluate this information and any input from your in-person healthcare team, and any other relevant information to decide if this treatment plan is appropriate for you. You are free to not follow the recommendations you received from the provider through the Hims platform.

Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team

You can access your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person healthcare team about any new medicines that you are taking or other changes in your health. You can also ask questions anytime by messaging a provider through the Hims platform, and we are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.

FAQ:

Is it normal to see an increase in hair shedding when starting new hair loss treatment?

Shedding is a fairly common side effect when starting a new hair loss medication. It can occur with any treatment but is most common with minoxidil. While it can be a cause for alarm, it is part of the process and means the medication is working. Typically we don’t recommend adjusting therapy except for intolerable shedding or shedding that lasts longer than 2 months. If you have continued shedding after the first 2 months of treatment, please let us know so we can connect you with your provider who can go over the next steps. You can find more information about this here and here.

When can I see results from hair loss treatment?

All hair loss medications take about 4-6 months to see results. If you are not seeing results after 6 months of treatment, or if you are experiencing any side effects, then please reach out for re-evaluation. Since hair growth is gradual it may be helpful to take a progress photo each month. Try to take photos in the same lighting at the same angle. If you always get the same haircut then right afterwards is a great time to take a progress photo so your hair is the same length.

You can find more information about this here and here.

Can I use a dermaroller with my topical treatment?

You may opt to use a dermaroller to increase the efficacy of your topical formulation. Follow the instructions specific to the device. Make sure to apply the dermaroller with light pressure to minimize bleeding on your scalp for 2-5 minutes at night, preferably after showering, and before you apply your topical formula. It is recommended to wait a few weeks after starting your topical formula to let your skin adjust before trying a dermaroller. While dermarollers come in different needle sizes, starting with 0.25mm is the best to start with. Disinfecting the dermaroller after use by soaking in 70% isopropyl alcohol is very important to prevent infection. Most studies involve using a dermaroller one night a week. Be sure to avoid using a dermaroller if your skin feels irritated or swollen. You can find more information about this here.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking hair loss medications?

It’s safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking your hair loss medications, however heavy alcohol consumption can affect your nutrient absorption to the point where you may develop nutritional deficiencies that can cause hair loss. Furthermore, drinking alcohol while taking oral minoxidil can potentially cause a decrease in blood pressure causing light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting. You can find more information about this here, here, and here.

Does wearing my hair in tight hairstyles cause hair loss?

If you wear your hair in tight hairstyles this puts a lot of strain on your hair follicles. With continued use, it will eventually lead to scarring and permanent loss of hair, which we call traction alopecia. In order to prevent further hair loss, it’s important to avoid wearing tight hairstyles and give your hair breaks between artificial hair use or braiding. If it hurts while your hair is being styled, you should ask the stylist to stop and redo it since pain signals damage at the hair root. Combining tight hairstyles with chemically treated hair increases the risk of traction alopecia and should be avoided. Hair loss treatments will help the hair that you have to grow thicker, but it will not regrow hair where scarring has already occurred.

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussions with your healthcare provider. All decisions regarding your care should be made with a healthcare provider, considering your individual health needs and circumstances. This medication is only available to residents of the United States. Telemedicine Disclosure