Minoxidil belongs to a group of medications known as hair regrowth treatments. It is used to treat male pattern baldness. It is not meant for baldness due to nonhereditary factors (e.g., baldness caused by illnesses such as iron deficiency or medications such as cancer chemotherapy). The foam formulation of minoxidil is also used to treat female pattern hair loss or thinning.

When applied to the scalp, it often stimulates hair growth. The exact way it works is not known, but it is thought to improve the blood flow around the hair follicle and stimulate the hair follicle to grow hair.

It usually takes at least 4 to 6 months of use for the medication to work. Hair may fall out when minoxidil is first used. This is a temporary effect of the medication. Once hair starts to grow, it will stay for as long as the medication is used. The hair will begin to fall out again a few months after the applications are stopped.

Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical), speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose is one-half capful of foam (equivalent to 1 gram) applied 2 times daily directly to the scalp (not the hair), starting in the center of the affected area. The maximum daily dose is one capful of foam (equivalent to 2 grams).

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

The foam should be gently massaged into the affected areas of the scalp. The foam may begin to melt on contact with warm skin. If your fingers are warm, rinse them in cold water and then thoroughly dry them before using the foam. Do not dry the foam with a hair dryer.

It is important that the foam stay in contact with the scalp for at least 4 hours after application. During this time, avoid activities such as swimming, showering, or physical activity that may cause excessive perspiration. You may use hair sprays, mousses, gels and other styling aids, however, you should apply the minoxidil foam first and allow it to dry before applying any other hair products. If you are planning on being in the sun, wear a hat or other head covering. Do not use sunscreen on the scalp.

If you are washing your hair before applying the medication, use a mild shampoo. To avoid eye irritation, wash your hands well after applying Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) to the scalp. Do not apply Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) to any area of the body other than the scalp.

It is important to use Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) in an upright position, at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children. The container is extremely flammable and should not be exposed to open flames or heat. Do not place Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) on polished or painted surfaces or use it near them.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• backache
• changes in hair colour or texture
• cold- or flu-like symptoms (e.g., runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat)
• continuous itching or skin rash
• dental problems
• eye irritation
• irritation, redness, dryness in the area where medication was applied
• muscle strain or spasm

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Acne where medication was applied
• burning of the scalp
• changes in blood pressure
• dizziness
• feeling faint
• headache
• inflammation or soreness at the hair root
• persistent local rash
• rapid heartbeat
• rapid weight gain
• sudden weight gain
• swelling of the hands or feet
• temporary hair loss
• unwanted facial hair growth

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical).

Each gram of cream-coloured foam contains 50 mg of minoxidil. Nonmedicinal ingredients: butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, alcohol SD 40B, lactic acid, citric acid anhydrous, glycerol anhydrous, polysorbate 60, propellant Aeropin 70 (propane, butane, isobutane), and purified water.

Do not use Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) if you:

• are allergic to minoxidil or any ingredients of the solution
• are bald due to non-hereditary factors (e.g., caused by illnesses such as iron deficiency, Thyroid disorders, or medications such as cancer chemotherapy)
• have hair loss associated with childbirth
• have a skin condition on the scalp (e.g., psoriasis or sunburns)
• are or may be pregnant or are nursing
• are using other skin medications or dressings on the scalp (e.g., for psoriasis)
• have shaved, broken, inflamed, irritated, infected, or severely sunburned skin on the scalp
• have untreated high blood pressure
• have recently discontinued certain medications such as birth control or cancer chemotherapy
• have certain grooming habits (e.g., cornrowing, tight ponytails)

There may be an interaction between minoxidil topical solution and any of the following:

• anthralin
• blood-pressure-lowering medications
• Cyclosporine
• other topical (applied to the skin) medications
• topical corticosteroids (e.g., betamethasone, Hydrocortisone)
• tretinoin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical).

Effectiveness: Minoxidil topical solution may not work for everyone. Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) is for the scalp of someone who has male pattern baldness or female hair loss or thinning. It has not been shown to work for someone who has a receding hairline. Shedding of hair may occur within 2 to 6 weeks of starting to use this product.  If shedding persists beyond 2 weeks, contact your doctor.  If you do not see any results after 6 months of using this product, contact your doctor.

Eye irritation: Minoxidil will cause irritation and burning of the eyes and nasal passages. If the medication comes in contact with the eyes, flush the eyes well with cool water.

Hair treatments: It is not known if hair colouring, perming, or relaxing agents affect Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical). To avoid irritation to the scalp, make sure Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) has been washed off the hair and scalp before using these products. Do not reapply minoxidil for 24 hours after using a chemical treatment to make sure your scalp has not been irritated by the perm or colour treatment.

Heart disease: Although Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) is intended to be used as a topical (surface only) treatment for the scalp, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and have an effect on heart disease. People with heart disease should discuss with their doctor how Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical), stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using minoxidil, it may affect your baby. Women who are breast-feeding should not use minoxidil.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) have not been established for children under 18 years of age.

Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of using Rogaine For Men (Minoxidil-topical) have not been established for men over the age of 65 years.