If you’re losing your hair, you’re likely open to trying most things that claim to stop hair loss. Olive oil on your scalp because your Italian grandma said it works? Sure. Hair gummies? Hand ‘em over.
If it’s been a while since you’ve had the absolute pleasure of aimlessly roaming a drugstore, you may wonder, Is minoxidil over-the-counter (OTC)? We’ll get to that soon — promise.
Ahead, we’ll talk about minoxidil dosage, its ingredients and other OTC hair loss treatments to consider.
Minoxidil (brand name, Rogaine®) is an FDA-approved, topical hair loss treatment that works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles (it’s a vasodilator) and keeping hair in a state of active, ongoing growth.
Such sorcery seems like it should be prescription-only, but luckily for you, topical minoxidil is available over the counter. You can buy it online and at some drugstores.
However, there’s some confusion on the topic, which may be why you’re here. Topical minoxidil is entirely OTC, but oral minoxidil requires a prescription. We’ll explain below.
Minoxidil tablets are typically prescribed for heart conditions like hypertension, though studies show they might also be effective in treating hair loss.
Oral minoxidil was FDA-approved in 1979 (under the name Loniten®) for treating high blood pressure.
Research suggests that low-dose oral minoxidil is a “well-tolerated” alternative to topical minoxidil, and it’s not associated with significant blood pressure changes when used for hair loss.
It may be worth asking a healthcare professional about oral treatment in the rare event that the topical solution causes a reaction.
Oral minoxidil is also a good option for people who struggle to remember to use topical minoxidil twice daily. Non-adherence to topical minoxidil (meaning the failure to use it regularly) is one of the biggest reasons people don’t see results.
Taking oral minoxidil to treat hair loss is an off-label use. This means a healthcare provider can legally prescribe it, but it’s used for something other than what it’s FDA-approved for.
Buying minoxidil foam or minoxidil liquid solution over the counter is as easy as walking into a pharmacy and pulling it off the shelf.
But if self-checkout or finding a parking spot gives you a feeling of intense dread (we feel ya), you can also order minoxidil online (ahem, yes, at Hims).
The cost of Rogaine® and generic minoxidil varies. If you go to the fancy pharmacy with goat milk soap and French beauty products, it’ll probably be pricier than what you’d find at a chain drugstore. And it’s safe to assume you’ll pay more for a brand name than generic minoxidil, regardless of where you shop.
Minoxidil prices also vary by vendor. We offer generic minoxidil at just $15 a month, which is significantly less than what you’d find at a store (another reason to stay in).
Lucky you! Following an online consultation with one of our healthcare providers, you may be eligible for oral minoxidil through Hims.
Our version of oral minoxidil is a chewable that blends the ingredient with other hair-healthy supplements like biotin and vitamins B5, B6, and C.
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Since topical minoxidil is over the counter, knowing how it works and how to use it is essential. After all, you probably won’t be chatting with a pharmacist (though you can always ask us anything).
The exact way minoxidil works isn’t entirely understood, but we’ll tell you what we know.
Studies show that minoxidil shortens the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle (when hair is at rest), thereby extending the anagen (growth) phase. Your hair grows for a longer time and, therefore, gets longer.
Side effects of topical minoxidil are generally minimal. They can include scalp irritation, dry or itchy skin, skin flaking, or slight burning.
Adverse reactions often aren’t due to minoxidil itself but rather propylene glycol. Researchers think this alcohol is responsible for irritating the skin of some minoxidil users.
The foam version of minoxidil doesn’t contain this ingredient, so it’s a good option if you’ve had a reaction in the past or have particularly sensitive skin.
As many as 50 percent of men experience androgenetic alopecia (the clinical term for male pattern hair loss).
What causes male pattern baldness? This type of genetic hair loss has to do with a male hormone (androgen) called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Your body converts testosterone into DHT. Too much of this hormone can shorten the hair growth cycle and cause hair follicles to shrink, known as miniaturization. And that’s where hair treatments come in.
Minoxidil works for a receding hairline or any other area where you see thinning. It’s one of two hair loss treatment options approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
A 2019 meta-analysis found that minoxidil caused a “remarkable increase in hair growth” and a decrease in hair loss, especially at the 5% strength. One of the cool things about minoxidil is that it works for different types of hair loss and has very few common side effects.
But other products are also effective in the lifelong fight against hair loss (not to be super dramatic or anything). Here are our top recs for products that promote hair growth.
Finasteride is FDA-approved and proven to slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth in men (it’s not approved for female pattern hair loss, though).
Remember our fickle friend DHT? Finasteride can reduce the amount in your system, making it a star in the battle against hormonal hair loss.
Like oral minoxidil, finasteride requires a prescription (yep, we got you covered there) and can be used in tandem with topical minoxidil.
A meta-analysis on the efficacy of minoxidil and finasteride found that the combo of oral finasteride and topical minoxidil is more effective than either on its own.
Topical finasteride and minoxidil are like the Bert and Ernie of the hair world. They’re different, but they jive.
Our quick-drying topical spray contains 3% finasteride and 6% minoxidil. Since it contains finasteride, you’ll need a prescription.
Minoxidil and finasteride both work — studies show that topical finasteride decreases hair loss and increases hair count. Minoxidil, on the other hand, dilates blood vessels, which brings blood, nutrients, and oxygen to the scalp.
One small study showed that the two medications combined didn’t cause sexual side effects. This is sometimes a concern when using finasteride.
Volumizing shampoo and volumizing conditioner are an easy way to make hair look thicker at the root, giving the appearance of fuller hair.
Our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto is kind of like nature’s finasteride. As with the hair loss medication, saw palmetto is a plant extract that can partially block DHT.
Biotin gummies or supplements may help with hair loss if you have a true deficiency of the vitamin. This is pretty unlikely if you eat a varied diet, but it’s not entirely impossible.
One of the cool things about our gummies is that, in addition to biotin, they contain other essential nutrients for healthy hair, like folic acid, niacin, and vitamins D and E.
Can you buy minoxidil over the counter? You bet! The topical version, that is.
Minoxidil is effective, has mild side effects, and is easy to use, making it one of the best medications for treating hair loss. You can get topical minoxidil OTC, so it’s as easy to purchase as toothpaste or Advil. Actually, it’s probably even easier because you can buy it here without standing up.
Here are a few things to remember about minoxidil:
Topical minoxidil is over the counter, but make sure you buy it from a reputable in-person or online pharmacy.
If you have questions or are wondering if the use of minoxidil is right for your goals (whether that’s new hair growth, retention, hair regrowth, or treating thinning hair), seek medical advice from your healthcare provider. They can help figure out the right course of action.
Oral minoxidil is available off-label and currently requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
As for where to buy minoxidil, we offer minoxidil solution, minoxidil foam, finasteride, and a wide range of other options for treating hair loss online as part of our range of hair loss treatments for men.
We didn’t want to overwhelm you with every detail about this hair loss treatment. But if you’re wondering how to apply minoxidil solution or minoxidil foam, check out our deep dives on each.
You can also read up on how long it takes for minoxidil to start working.
If you want to get started with a treatment to regrow hair, do our free online hair loss assessment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at blog@forhims.com!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.