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
📋Quick facts
Also known asRogaine, Loniten (oral)
CategoryHair Loss & Hormone Meds
Schedule / classOTC (topical) — oral form Rx-only
Appearance5% foam/solution bottles; oral 2.5–10 mg tablets (Rx legacy)
Street price~$10–$30 per month topical; ~$0.20–$1 per oral tablet grey
Legal statusOTC topical; oral Rx-only (widely microdosed off-label)
Last updated2026-09-16
Sources: FDA, NHS
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 |
| 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 |
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.