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Minoxidil (Topical) (Monograph)

Brand names: Hair Regrowth, Rogaine, Theroxidil
Drug class: Cell Stimulants and Proliferants
- Hair Growth Stimulants

Introduction

Hair stimulant; a piperidinopyrimidine-derivative vasodilator.5 19 20 37 43 44 73 4 9 14 15 20 40 43 56

Uses for Minoxidil (Topical)

Androgenetic Alopecia

Stimulates regrowth of hair in men and women with androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern alopecia, hereditary alopecia, common male baldness).1 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 39 40 59 83 85

Recommended for use in men who have general thinning of hair at the vertex of the scalp 115 116 121 122 123 126 and in women who have general thinning of hair in frontoparietal areas.115 117 May be ineffective in men or women with more extensive hair loss.116 117 121 122 123 126

Not recommended for patients without a family history of hair loss or for those with hair loss associated with childbirth, or for those who have hair loss that occurs suddenly or for unknown reasons.116 117 121 122 123 126

Generally most effective in men <40 years of age,5 115 116 100 101 with <10 years duration of hair loss,6 23 39 100 101 115 116 <10 cm diameter of baldness, 5 6 23 39 100 101 115 116 and with large number of terminal or intermediate hairs before initiation of therapy.5 23 39 100 101

Alopecia Areata

Has been used to promote hair regrowth in males and females with alopecia areata† [off-label], including alopecia totalis or universalis.9 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

Hair Transplantation

Has been used as an adjunct to hair transplantation† [off-label]; may promote better evolution of hair grafts by reducing postoperative shedding of hair and hastening the onset of postsheddng hair regrowth.64 65

Minoxidil (Topical) Dosage and Administration

Administration

Topical Administration

Apply topically to the scalp as a 2 or 5% solution or as a 5% foam.1 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b c d

For dermatologic use only;1 116 117 121 122 123 126 avoid contact with eyes, mucous membranes, or sensitive or abraded skin areas.1 40 85 101 (See Dermatologic Effects under Cautions.) If contact with any of these areas occurs, flush area with large amounts of cool water.1 85 116 117 121 122 123

Apply to the scalp only; do not apply to other areas of the body because of risk of systemic adverse effects.116 117 121 122 123 126 (See Systemic Effects under Cautions.)

In men, apply 2 or 5% solution or 5% foam to total affected (balding and anticipated balding) areas of the scalp twice daily, usually in the morning and evening.1 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 39 40 59 83 101 116 117 121 122 123 126 c

In women, apply 2% solution to total affected areas of the scalp twice daily, usually in the morning and evening;117 d 5% solution and 5% foam should not be used in women.126 b c

Apply solution and foam to dry scalp.1 85 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b c d

To apply solution, use applicator provided by the manufacturer and apply evenly over total affected areas of the scalp.85 a b d

To apply foam, part hair into ≥1 rows to expose scalp.c Rinse hands with cold water and dry thoroughly to minimize foam melting on warm skin.c Hold container upside down and press nozzle to dispense ½ capful of foam onto fingers; apply foam to affected areas and gently massage into scalp.c

Wash hands thoroughly after application using fingertips.1 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b c d

Dosage

Adults

Androgenetic Alopecia
Treatment in Men
Topical

Apply 1 mL of 2 or 5% solution to affected areas of the scalp twice daily.1 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 39 40 59 83 101 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b

Apply ½ capful of 5% foam to affected areas of the scalp twice daily.c

≥4 months of use may be necessary before regrowth observed.1 5 6 7 67 101 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b c d Therapy must be continued indefinitely for maintenance of hair growth.1 6 7 9 24 40 67 83 100 101 109 115 116 121 122 123 126

Treatment in Women
Topical

Apply 1 mL of 2% solution to affected areas of the scalp twice daily.117 d

≥4 months of use may be necessary before regrowth observed.1 5 6 7 67 101 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b c d Therapy must be continued indefinitely for maintenance of hair growth.1 6 7 9 24 40 67 83 100 101 109 115 116 121 122 123 126

Alopecia Areata† [off-label]
Topical

Apply 1 mL of 5% solution to affected areas of the scalp twice daily.45 46 49 52 53 100 101

Prescribing Limits

Adults

Androgenetic Alopecia
Treatment in Men
Topical

Maximum 2 mL of 2 or 5% solution daily.1 116 117 121 122 123 126 a b d

Maximum ½ capful of 5% foam per application.c

Treatment in Women
Topical

Maximum 2 mL of 2% solution daily.1 116 117 121 122 123 126 a d

Special Populations

No special population dosage recommendations at this time.a b c d

Detailed Minoxidil topical dosage information

Cautions for Minoxidil (Topical)

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

General Precautions

Dermatologic Effects

Possible adverse local dermatologic effects (e.g., pruritus, dryness, scaling/flaking, local irritation or burning);1 5 8 9 15 16 22 23 26 27 29 30 32 40 46 56 83 85 96 may occur more frequently with the 5 than the 2% topical solution126 and may result from alcohol contained in formulation1 85 and the wearing of a wig or hairpiece.53 Local irritation usually is mild1 5 9 15 16 26 29 38 39 46 51 53 56 83 85 96 and rarely requires discontinuance of therapy.46 51 56

If irritation occurs, flush area with large amounts of cool water; contact clinician if irritation persists.1 85 116 117 121 122 123

Increased hair growth outside area of drug application (e.g., face, beard, eyebrows, ear, arm) reported; possibly due to inadvertent transfer of drug solution.1 5 22 32 46 50 51 52 83

Systemic Effects

Potential systemic adverse effects (e.g., weight gain, edema, tachycardia, hypotension),1 9 22 32 40 86 93 100 110 111 especially in individuals with propensity for greater percutaneous absorption or with increased sensitivity to the drug.1 9 93 101 Excessive doses, local abrasion or inflammation, or severe sunburn also may increase risk of systemic effects.1 101 116 117 121 122 123 a b d

Use not recommended on inflamed, erythematous, infected, irritated, or painful scalp.116 117 121 122 123 a b c d

Exposure to UV Light

Severe UV light-induced skin injury (e.g., severe sunburn) may enhance percutaneous absorption and increase risk of systemic effects.1 101 (See Systemic Effects under Cautions.)

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category C.e

Lactation

Distributed into milk after oral administration;72 115 however, not known whether topical minoxidil is distributed into milk.d AAP classifies minoxidil as compatible with breast-feeding.e

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in children <18 years of age.1

Women

Prior to initiating therapy for androgenetic alopecia, consider possibility of an underlying endocrine abnormality (e.g., polycystic ovary [Stein-Leventhal] syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, androgen-secreting tumors, hypothyroidism).9 84 100 101

Severe, diffuse hypertrichosis involving the face and limbs reported in women after 2–3 months of therapy with 5% solution for treatment of androgenetic alopecia; resolved within 4–5 months following discontinuance of therapy.132

Common Adverse Effects

Pruritus, 1 5 8 9 15 16 22 23 26 27 29 30 32 40 46 56 83 85 96 dryness, 5 22 40 83 scaling/flaking, 1 5 9 26 46 83 local irritation or burning.1 5 9 15 16 26 29 38 39 46 51 53 56 83 85 96

Drug Interactions

Topical Preparations

Possible pharmacokinetic interaction (increased percutaneous absorption of minoxidil).101 129 130 Safety and efficacy of combined therapy with other topical drugs not established.131 Concomitant use with other topical drugs on the scalp is not recommended.a b c d

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Hypotensive agents (guanethidine)

Possible increased risk of orthostatic hypotension if systemic absorption of minoxidil occurs1

Use concomitantly with caution1

Tretinoin, topical

Potential increased percutaneous absorption of minoxidil101 129 130

Safety and efficacy of combined use requires further evaluation131
Minoxidil topical drug interactions (more detail)

Minoxidil (Topical) Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Minimally absorbed following topical application to intact scalp;1 15 16 43 61 1.4% of a 2% topical solution may be absorbed.70

Onset

Onset of hair regrowth is variable; however, 2 or ≥4 months usually required before evidence of regrowth is observed following topical administration with 2 or 5% topical solutions, respectively.1 23 25 27 30 34 36 59 101 116 117 121 122 123 126

Distribution

Extent

Not fully determined following topical administration;100 101 however, intact stratum corneum may serve as a barrier that inhibits substantial diffusion of topically applied minoxidil into systemic circulation.68 71 101

Not known whether topical minoxidil crosses the placenta or is distributed into milk.1 72 e

Elimination

Metabolism

Not fully determined following topical administration;1 however, appears to be converted in the hair follicle to an active metabolite, minoxidil sulfate, by minoxidil sulfotransferase.17

Elimination Route

Excreted principally in urine.61

Stability

Storage

Topical

Solution

20–25°C.126 132 Keep away from heat and flame.a b d

Foam

20–25°C.c Keep away from heat and flame; do not puncture or incinerate container.c

Actions

Advice to Patients

Additional Information

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Minoxidil

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Topical

Solution

2%*

Hair Regrowth (with alcohol 60% and propylene glycol)

Eckerd

Rogaine Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men (with alcohol 60% and propylene glycol)

Pfizer

Rogaine Hair Regrowth Treatment for Women (with alcohol 60% and propylene glycol)

Pfizer

5%*

Rogaine for Men Extra Strength (with alcohol 30% and propylene glycol)

Pfizer

Theroxidil (with alcohol 30% and propylene glycol)

Harmony

Foam

5%*

Rogaine Hair Regrowth Treatment for Men (with alcohol SD 40-B, butane, butylated hydroxytoluene, isobutane, and propane)

Pfizer

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2025, Selected Revisions November 1, 2007. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Off-label: Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

References

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2. The Upjohn Company. Rogaine (minoxidil topical solution) product information. Kalamazoo, MI; 1988 Aug.

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6. Voorhees JJ. Editor’s summary. Dermatologica. 1987; 175(Suppl 2):54-6.

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8. Shupack JL, Kassimir JJ, Thirumoorthy T et al. Dose-response study of topical minoxidil in male pattern alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987; 16:673-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3549801

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89. van der Willigen AH, Dutree-Meulenberg RO, Stolz E et al. Topical minoxidil sensitization in androgenic alopecia. Contact Dermatitis. 1987; 17:44- 5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2958212

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