Minoxidil, topical
The only hair loss treatment sold without a prescription, applied to the scalp, and the only one approved for women as well as men.
- Class
- Topical vasodilator
- Sold as
- Sold as: Rogaine, Regaine
- Over the counter
From the approved label
Rogaine for men
- What this product is for
- Anti-Dandruff and Anti-Seborrheic Dermatitis
- ▪ Fights and helps eliminate recurrence of scalp itching, irritation, redness, flaking and scaling associated with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
- Active ingredient
- Salicylic Acid 2%
- Directions
- ▪ For best results use at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor ▪ Wet hair thoroughly ▪ Massage a liberal amount into the scalp ▪ Leave on scalp for several minutes ▪ Rinse and repeat
- Warnings
- Ask a doctor before use if you have a condition that covers a large area of the body.
- When using this product avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.
- Stop use and ask a doctor if condition worsens
- Stop use and ask a doctor if condition worsens or does not improve after regular use of this product as directed.
- Label holder:
- Kenvue Brands LLC
- Label version:
This section reports the approved product information. The wording is condensed from the regulator's own summary, and the full document is linked under Sources.
Written by us
How it works
Minoxidil was a blood pressure tablet before anyone noticed what it did to hair. Applied to the scalp it widens small blood vessels and appears to extend the growth phase of the follicle. The mechanism is still not fully explained, which the label reflects by describing what the product is for rather than how it works.
Original and generic
Sold as a branded solution or foam and as much cheaper supermarket and pharmacy own-label versions containing the same percentage of the same substance. Since it is an over-the-counter product, the price difference between brand and equivalent is unusually visible here: the same 5 percent solution sits on the same shelf at two very different prices.
What it costs
The cheapest option in this category and the only one with no consultation cost attached, because none is required. Own-label versions typically cost a fraction of the branded ones.
How to get it legally
No prescription anywhere in the United States, the United Kingdom or most of the European Union. In some countries it sits behind the pharmacy counter rather than on the open shelf, which means asking a pharmacist rather than obtaining a prescription. Oral minoxidil, which is prescribed off-label for hair in some countries, is a different product with a different legal status and is not the same thing as the solution described here.
From the approved label
Rogaine for women: approved for
- What this product is for
- Hair regrowth treatment for women
- to regrow hair on the top of the scalp (see pictures on side of this carton)
- Active ingredient
- Minoxidil 5% w/w (without propellant)
- Directions
- see enclosed booklet for complete directions on how to use
- apply half a capful once daily directly to the scalp in the hair loss area
- massage into scalp with fingers, then wash hands well
- using more or more often will not improve results
- continued use is necessary to increase and keep your hair regrowth, or hair loss will begin again
- Do not use if
- your degree of hair loss is different than that shown on side of this carton because this product may not work for you
- you have no family history of hair loss
- your hair loss is sudden and/or patchy
- your hair loss is associated with childbirth
- 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
- Warnings
- Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease
- do not use more than directed
- 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 3 months with once daily use. For some women, you may need to use this product once a day for at least 6 months before you see results.
- the amount of hair regrowth is different for each person. This product will not work for all women.
- 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 6 months
- If pregnant or breast-feeding
- May be harmful if used when pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Label holder:
- Kenvue Brands LLC
- Label version:
This section reports the approved product information. The wording is condensed from the regulator's own summary, and the full document is linked under Sources.
Comparison
See also
Questions
- Is there a difference between the men's and women's versions?
- They hold separate approvals with different strengths and different directions, and both labels are shown on this page for that reason.
- Why does hair sometimes shed at the start?
- The label addresses shedding in its directions and states what to do about it. The wording is reproduced in the label section above rather than paraphrased here.
- Can it be combined with finasteride?
- The two are different treatments with different routes, and clinicians commonly prescribe both. Neither label states anything about the combination, so this page does not either.
Sources
- Mens Rogaine 2% Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Plus Conditioner: prescribing informationDailyMed, US National Library of Medicine. Label version 2 January 2026
- Womens Rogaine Unscented: prescribing informationDailyMed, US National Library of Medicine. Label version 13 November 2024
- Drugs@FDA: M032US Food and Drug Administration
- Drugs@FDA: NDA021812US Food and Drug Administration