Is minoxidil an over-the-counter hair loss medication?

Minoxidil is a topical medication to treat hair loss. The brand name of minoxidil is Rogaine, including Men’s Rogaine and Women’s Rogaine.

OTC Rogaine is available in 2% and 5% strength as a foam or liquid you apply directly to the scalp.

A doctor might also prescribe minoxidil in tablet form for hair loss. This is an off-label use of minoxidil since the oral version of this drug has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for high blood pressure and not for hair loss.

The dose of oral minoxidil is typically under 5 milligrams (mg) per day, with a lower dose for female pattern hair loss than male pattern hair loss.

If you plan to use OTC Rogaine for hair loss, it is important to understand how to use it and its possible side effects. A dermatologist or other healthcare professional can also discuss prescription treatment options for hair loss.

Can you get minoxidil at the local drugstore?

You can get liquid and foam minoxidil at your local drugstore without a prescription. You’ll find it in the pharmacy aisle under the brand name Rogaine.

The oral form of minoxidil requires a prescription. Doctors may prescribe it to treat high blood pressure or for hair loss. You can collect this medication from your local pharmacy if you have a prescription.

The daily dosage of oral minoxidil for hair loss is 0.25–1.25 mg for female pattern hair loss and 2.5–5 mg for male pattern hair loss. The dosage for high blood pressure is 5–40 mg. 

The oral and sublingual tablet prescription for hair loss is an off-label use of minoxidil. 

You can get OTC minoxidil and prescription minoxidil online. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the following tips when buying medications online:

• Check whether the site requires a prescription when buying a prescription-only medication.
• Verify the site is a licensed pharmacy within the United States.
• Make sure the site has a pharmacist available to answer your questions.

Your local pharmacy may also offer delivery or pickup options for both prescription and OTC minoxidil.

Need a prescription or refill for hair loss medication? You can get discreet and expert on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes through Optum Perks with no video or appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and get a treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional. Get started here.

How do you know which OTC minoxidil to use?

Brand-name minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, is available in male and female-specific formulations. The male formulation contains 5% minoxidil. The female formulation is available in both 2% and 5% minoxidil.

OTC minoxidil comes in a foam or liquid solution. You apply both of these formulations directly to your scalp.

Potential side effects of topical — both foam or liquid — minoxidil include:

• dry or itchy scalp
• scaling or flaking
• irritation or burning

You should stop using OTC minoxidil if you experience:

• chest pain or heart symptoms
• sudden weight gain
• swelling in the hands or feet
• scalp irritation or redness, which may only be visible on lighter skin tones
• unwanted facial hair growth
• no hair regrowth in 4 months

Other hair loss medications

The FDA has also approved several other drugs to treat hair loss:

• Finasteride (Propecia) is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It can help treat male pattern hair loss.
• Baricitinib (Olumiant) is FDA-approved to treat severe alopecia areata. This condition causes patchy hair loss, usually on the scalp or beard. It can also cause hair loss on other parts of the body. Baricitinib is a janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It blocks specific enzymes to prevent inflammation-related hair loss.

Many OTC supplement brands also claim to help with hair growth. A 2020 retrospective analysis found that 81% of females at an alopecia clinic had higher than average rates of supplement use. However, the authors note no evidence supports the use of supplements for hair regrowth.   

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.

Summary

Minoxidil is an OTC hair loss medication. It’s sold under the brand name Rogaine at 2% and 5% strengths in foam or liquid formulations. You can get topical minoxidil at a local drugstore or online from a reputable seller.

Minoxidil is also available as an oral tablet that requires a prescription. The oral version of the drug is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure, but doctors may also prescribe it off-label at a lower dose for hair loss.

Other prescription medications for hair loss include finasteride (Propecia) and baricitinib (Olumiant).

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.