Over-the-counter medication · Vasodilator (Hair Growth)
minoxidil topical
Also sold as Rogaine. This medicine is used to help regrow hair on the scalp.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- OTC
- Availability
minoxidil topical (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter Vasodilator (Hair Growth). This medicine is used to help regrow hair on the scalp.
Minoxidil topical solution (Rogaine) is a medicine that helps regrow hair on your scalp. It belongs to a class of drugs called vasodilators.
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What it does
This medicine is used to help regrow hair on the scalp.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
The provided text does not contain any boxed warnings or critical safety information.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from minoxidil topical's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, but how it regrows hair is not fully known. It may work by widening blood vessels in the scalp. This could improve blood flow to the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth.
How to Take It
Apply 1 mL of the solution directly to your scalp in the hair loss area. Do this two times a day using the dropper. Using more or using it more often will not make it work better. You must keep using it to increase and keep your hair regrowth, or your hair loss will start again.
This is a plain-language summary of minoxidil topical's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
The provided text does not contain information about pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This is a plain-language summary of minoxidil topical's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, apply the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not apply a double dose to make up for the missed one.
This is a plain-language summary of minoxidil topical's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 68º to 77ºF (20º to 25ºC).
Serious Warnings
The provided text does not contain any boxed warnings or critical safety information.
Common Questions
How much solution should I use?
How often should I use this medicine?
Will using more solution make it work faster?
What happens if I stop using it?
Where should I apply the solution?
How should I store this medicine?
Is this medicine only for women?
How long does it take to see results?
What should I do before using this medicine?
What if I don't see any hair regrowth?
What drug class is minoxidil topical?
Is minoxidil topical safe during pregnancy?
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What the FDA Data Shows for minoxidil topical
The FDA label for minoxidil topical (sold under brand names such as Rogaine) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Vasodilator (Hair Growth) class. This medicine is used to help regrow hair on the scalp. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 4, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages