Minoxidil (Rogaine): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and Cost in Canada

Minoxidil is the non-prescription scalp treatment in Rogaine for hereditary hair loss. Learn how to use the solution and foam, what results to expect and its side effects.

skin careDoctor-reviewedOver-the-counterAvailable in Canada
Illustration of a topical solution dropper bottle and foam can for Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Overview

Minoxidil is a medicine applied to the scalp to treat hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). In Canada it is sold without a prescription. Rogaine is the best-known brand: Men's Rogaine is a 2% solution, Men's Rogaine Foam and Women's Rogaine Foam contain 5% minoxidil. Other brands and store brands of minoxidil solution are also sold.

Minoxidil helps slow hair loss and can regrow some hair on the top of the scalp, but it does not work for everyone, it does not restore all lost hair, and it only works while you keep using it. Minoxidil tablets taken by mouth are a different, prescription product. This page covers minoxidil applied to the scalp.

Hair loss can have many causes. If you are not sure why you are losing hair, or it is sudden or patchy, BC residents can speak with a BC-licensed doctor by phone through Avee Health about their symptoms and next steps.

In Canada, Rogaine products are authorized for:

  • Men's Rogaine 2% solution and Men's Rogaine Foam 5%: male pattern hair loss on the top of the scalp (vertex)
  • Women's Rogaine Foam 5%: female pattern hair loss on the top of the scalp

It has not been shown to work for a receding hairline. It should not be used when hair loss is sudden or patchy, when there is no family history of hair loss, or when the cause is unknown. Hair loss caused by medicines, chemotherapy, childbirth, thyroid problems, low iron or tight hairstyles should not be treated with it. It is not authorized for anyone under 18, and the men's products have not been studied in men over 65.

Generic name

Minoxidil

Drug class

Topical hair growth stimulant (vasodilator)

Category

skin care

Availability

Over-the-counter

In Canada

Available

How Minoxidil Works

In hereditary hair loss, hair follicles gradually make thinner, shorter hairs. The exact way minoxidil works is not known. Possible ways include:

  • Widening the small blood vessels around the hair follicles
  • Moving resting hair follicles into their growth phase

New hair may first be soft and barely visible, then become thicker and closer to the colour of your other hair. Some shedding can happen 2 to 6 weeks after starting, as resting hairs are pushed out by new growth. Only about 1% to 2% of the minoxidil applied to the scalp is absorbed into the body.

Dosage Instructions of Minoxidil

Follow the directions on the package. The Canadian Rogaine product monograph gives:

  • Men's Rogaine 2% solution: 1 mL twice a day, starting at the centre of the thinning area, whatever its size. No more than 2 mL a day.
  • Men's Rogaine Foam 5%: half a capful (about 1 gram) twice a day, massaged into the thinning areas of the scalp, not the hair
  • Women's Rogaine Foam 5%: half a capful once a day, massaged into the thinning areas, and left on for at least 4 hours

Apply only to a dry, healthy scalp, and wash your hands well afterwards. Do not apply it to any other part of the body. Using more, or applying it more often, does not work better and increases absorption into the body.

Results take time: at least 4 months of regular use for the 2% solution, and 2 months or more for the 5% foam. Stop and see a doctor if there is no improvement after 1 year. New hair is usually lost within about 3 to 4 months of stopping.

Missed dose: skip it and continue with your next usual application. Do not use extra to make up for it.

Storage Instructions

Store at room temperature, 15°C to 30°C. Do not puncture or burn the foam can, keep it upright and away from temperatures above 50°C. Keep all minoxidil products out of the reach of children.

Side Effects of Minoxidil

Most side effects are on the scalp. In a 16-week trial of Men's Rogaine Foam 5%, compared with a foam without medicine:

  • Headache: 7.2%, compared with 3.5%
  • Rash: 3.9%, compared with less than 1%
  • Acne: 2.8%, compared with 1.7%
  • Itching: 2.2%, compared with 1.2%

Scalp irritation, dryness, flaking and redness can also occur. The solution contains alcohol, which burns if it gets in the eyes. Hair colour or texture can change, and unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the face or body has been reported.

Stop using minoxidil and see a doctor if you have:

  • Chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, faintness or dizziness
  • Sudden unexplained weight gain or swollen hands or feet
  • Persistent scalp redness or irritation, or shedding that lasts more than 2 weeks
  • Swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue or throat, or throat tightness (get help right away)

Important Safety Information About Minoxidil

  • Blood pressure: do not use Rogaine if you have high blood pressure, whether or not it is treated. If you have heart disease or an irregular heartbeat, talk to a doctor first.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for hair loss after childbirth. Absorbed minoxidil passes into breast milk.
  • Scalp: do not use it on a scalp that is shaved, broken, inflamed, infected, sunburned or affected by psoriasis, or under a dressing.
  • Allergy: do not use it if you are allergic to minoxidil or any ingredient. The foam contains ingredients that can cause skin reactions in some people.
  • Swallowing: minoxidil can cause serious heart effects if swallowed. Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and contact a poison control centre right away if it is swallowed.
  • Eyes: avoid contact with the eyes. If it gets in them, rinse with plenty of cool water.
  • Flammable: the solution and foam contain alcohol. Keep them away from flame and heat.

Drug Interactions

No interactions with medicines taken by mouth are known for minoxidil on the scalp. Still, tell your doctor and pharmacist about everything you use. Points to know:

  • Other scalp treatments, such as tretinoin, anthralin or corticosteroids: do not use them on the scalp at the same time, because they can increase how much minoxidil is absorbed
  • Medicines that widen blood vessels, such as hydralazine: there is a possible risk that absorbed minoxidil adds to their effect
  • Hair dyes, perms and relaxers: wash all minoxidil off the hair and scalp before using them, to avoid irritation

Brands & DIN Number of Minoxidil

Brand Names

Rogaine

Key Takeaways

  • 1Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a non-prescription scalp treatment for hereditary hair loss on the top of the head.
  • 2Men's products are a 2% solution used twice a day or a 5% foam used twice a day. Women's 5% foam is used once a day.
  • 3Results take at least 2 to 4 months, and new hair is lost within about 3 to 4 months of stopping.
  • 4It does not work for everyone and has not been shown to help a receding hairline.
  • 5Do not use Rogaine if you have high blood pressure, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • 6Minoxidil can be dangerous if swallowed. Keep it away from children and pets.
  • 7If hair loss is sudden, patchy or unexplained, see a doctor instead of self-treating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a prescription for minoxidil in Canada, and where do I get it?
No. Minoxidil solution and foam for the scalp, such as Rogaine, are sold without a prescription in Canada, so you can buy them at a pharmacy. Minoxidil tablets taken by mouth are a different, prescription product. If you are unsure why you are losing hair, BC residents can speak with a BC-licensed doctor by phone through Avee Health.
How long does minoxidil take to work?
It takes at least 4 months of twice-daily use of the 2% solution, and 2 months or more with the 5% foam, before results show. The response is different for each person. If there is no improvement after 1 year, stop and see a doctor.
Is oral minoxidil available in Canada?
Minoxidil tablets, such as Loniten, are prescription medicines. The Canadian product monograph authorizes them only for severe high blood pressure, not for hair loss. They can cause fluid retention, a faster heartbeat and unwanted hair growth on the body. Talk to a doctor before considering them.
Why am I losing more hair after starting minoxidil?
Some shedding can happen 2 to 6 weeks after starting, as resting hairs make way for new growth. It usually settles within a few weeks. If it lasts more than 2 weeks, stop and talk to a doctor.
Can women use minoxidil?
Yes. Women's Rogaine Foam 5% is authorized for female pattern hair loss on the top of the scalp, used once a day. Men's products are not for women. Do not use any minoxidil product if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How much does minoxidil cost in Canada?
The price depends on the brand, the product, the package size and the store, so check with your pharmacy. Store brands of minoxidil solution are also sold.
Can I use minoxidil with finasteride?
Finasteride is a prescription tablet for male pattern hair loss that works in a different way. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining any hair loss treatments.
When should I talk to a doctor about hair loss?
See a doctor if hair loss is sudden, patchy or unexplained, if there is no family history of it, if your scalp is red or sore, or if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. BC residents can speak with a BC-licensed doctor by phone through Avee Health about their symptoms and next steps.
Written By
Avee Editorial

Avee Editorial

Avee Editorial Team