Hair Loss & Hormone Meds
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Street names: Rogaine, Loniten (oral)
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Topical: regrows hair in androgenetic loss (vasodilator mechanism)
- Oral (off-label microdose): increasingly popular, stronger results
⚠Key risks
- Oral: hypertrichosis (hair EVERYWHERE), heart palpitations, ankle swelling
- Initial 'dread shed' — shedding before regrowth (normal, scares people off)
- Cats are lethally sensitive to it — pet owners beware
✚Overdose signs
- Oral overdose: racing heart, dizziness, fluid retention
- Chest pain — emergency
Category comparison — Hair Loss & Hormone Meds
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minoxidil (Rogaine) | OTC | Oral: hypertrichosis (hair EVERYWHERE), heart palpitations, ankle swelling; Initial 'dread shed' — shedding before regrowth (normal, scares people off) | ~$10–$30 per month topical |
| Somatropin (Human Growth Hormone) | Rx-only; Schedule III/IV equivalent in most regions | Counterfeit rate near total — independent tests find most 'HGH' is hCG, IGF, or nothing; Real GH at abuse doses: insulin resistance, carpal tunnel, organ growth (acromegaly features) | ~$2–$10 per IU grey-market |
| Finasteride (Propecia/Proscar) | Rx-only — not controlled | Post-finasteride syndrome reports — persistent sexual dysfunction, depression, brain fog in a subset of users (debated but documented); Must be taken daily; gains reverse within a year of stopping | ~$0.30–$2 per tablet |
| Dutasteride (Avodart) | Rx-only — not controlled | Same post-finasteride-spectrum concerns, potentially stronger (broader 5-alpha-reduction blockade); Long half-life — weeks to clear; sides persist longer if they occur | ~$0.40–$2 per capsule grey-market generics |
| Exemestane (Aromasin) | Rx-only — not controlled | Joint pain, low-mood and libido crash if estrogen goes too low; Bone density loss with long use | ~$1–$3 per 25 mg tablet grey-market |
| Letrozole (Femara) | Rx-only — not controlled | Estrogen 'crash': crippling joint pain, depression, zero libido; Bone density loss | ~$1–$4 per 2.5 mg tablet grey-market |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
RxBrand names on the grey market
These brands are sold as this compound. Same molecule, different label and supply chain — quality varies enormously between them.
Minoxidil
?Frequently asked questions
What does Minoxidil (Rogaine) look like?
5% foam/solution bottles; oral 2.5–10 mg tablets (Rx legacy)
What are the signs of a Minoxidil (Rogaine) overdose?
Oral overdose: racing heart, dizziness, fluid retention; Chest pain — emergency Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Oral: hypertrichosis (hair EVERYWHERE), heart palpitations, ankle swelling Dependence can develop with regular use.