Rogaine (Minoxidil)
Rogaine (Minoxidil) Dosage and Side Effects
ROGAINE is used for the treatment of pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) on the top of the scalp (vertex). It prevents further hair loss and helps hair re-growth.
Proper Use of this medication
Overdose:
In case of drug overdose or accidental ingestion, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed dose:
If a dose is missed, use as soon as remembered if it is within a few hours of the usual time applied. Do not apply if it is almost time for the next dose. If a dose is missed, the amount used in the next dose should not be doubled.
Side Effects
If you experience any of the following, stop using the medicine and tell your doctor.
- Low or high blood pressure.
- Chest pain.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Faintness or dizziness.
- Sudden unexplained weight gain.
- Swollen hands or feet.
- Persistent local redness or rash.
- Headache.
- Muscle pain.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Depression.
Other side effects include:
- Unwanted non-scalp hair. This may be due to the frequent applying of ROGAINE on areas of the skin other than the scalp.
- Scalp irritation such as local redness, itchiness, dryness, flaky skin have all been reported. This is usually only a temporary effect, but if it is persistent you should stop using this product.
- Temporary hair loss may occur during the first 2-6 weeks of use. If this hair loss continues for longer than 2 weeks, stop using the product and talk to your doctor.
- Change in hair colour and/or texture may occur. If this happens you should stop using ROGAINE Solution.
- ROGAINE Solution should be applied only to the scalp. The risk of side effects may be greater when it is applied to other parts of the body.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while using ROGAINE Solution contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Warnings and Precautions
- Apply ROGAINE Solution only on the scalp.
- Avoid contact with eyes as ROGAINE contains alcohol, which would cause burning or irritation of the eyes or sensitive skin areas. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with large amounts of water. Stop use and speak to your doctor if irritation persists.
- ROGAINE may rarely cause low blood pressure, salt and water retention that lead to chest pain (angina), rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), swollen hands and feet.
- May change colour/texture of hair.
- ROGAINE should not be used when there is no family history of hair loss, hair loss is sudden and/or patchy, or the reason for hair loss is unknown.
- Shedding of hair may occur within two to six weeks after using the product. If shedding persists for more than two weeks, users should stop applying ROGAINE and consult their doctor.
Before using ROGAINE Solution, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following conditions applies to you:
- High or low blood pressure or heart disease or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
- Under other treatment for any scalp conditions.
Interactions with this medication
Before using ROGAINE Solution talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking or have recently taken prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs or natural health product.
The following medications may increase the absorption of minoxidil:
- Anthralin—used to treat psoriasis
- Tretinoin—used to treat acne or other skin conditions
ROGAINE (Minoxidil) also may increase the effect of hydralazine (drug to treat high blood pressure).
Other related products
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.