Minoxidil

Aka: Minoxidil, Rogaine

II. Indications

  1. Androgenetic Alopecia

III. Preparations

  1. Regular Strength 2%
    1. Cost to pharmacist
      1. Brand Name: $25/month, $300/year
      2. Generic: $13/month, $156/year
  2. Extra Strength 5%
    1. Cost to pharmacist: $30/month, $360/year
    2. Not more effective than 2% in Androgenetic Alopecia
    3. Indicated as adjunct in Alopecia Areata
    4. Higher Incidence of facial Hypertrichosis

IV. Mechanism

  1. Increases Hair Shaft epithelial cell growth
  2. Potentiated by Retin A
  3. Direct effect on Hair Follicle
    1. Activates Hair Follicles in Catagen
    2. Extends Anagen duration
    3. Expands Hair Follicles
  4. Decreases hair shedding

V. Dosing

  1. Apply bid to dry scalp
    1. Spray 6 times (1 ml) or
    2. Dropper bottle
  2. Wash hands carefully after applying
    1. Reduces risk of spread to face and Hypertrichosis

VI. Advantages

  1. Appropriate for both men and women
  2. Modestly effective
  3. Most effective for vertex baldness
    1. Vertex baldness under 5 years
    2. Hair Loss under 10 cm (4 inch) diameter

VII. Disadvantages

  1. Less effective for frontal Hair Loss
  2. New hair lost when treatment discontinued

VIII. Adverse effects

  1. Hypertrichosis (excessive facial hair)
    1. Resolves by one year even if Minoxidil continued
    2. Bleach more evident darker hairs
  2. Pruritus of scalp
  3. Allergic or Irritant Contact Dermatitis (usually to propylene glycol)
    1. Compounding pharmacist can use alternative base

IX. References

  1. Price (1999) N Engl J Med 341:964-73 [PubMed]

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Cost: Medications

minoxidil (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
MINOXIDIL 10 MG TABLET Generic $0.21 each
MINOXIDIL 2.5 MG TABLET Generic $0.11 each
FPNotebook does not benefit financially from showing this medication data or their pharmacy links. This information is provided only to help medical providers and their patients see relative costs. Insurance plans negotiate lower medication prices with suppliers. Prices shown here are out of pocket, non-negotiated rates. See Needy Meds for financial assistance information. GoodRx is another tool for finding lower drug prices.