Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Rogaine (minoxidil)

Potassium channel opener that stimulates hair follicles (topical) or causes arteriolar vasodilation (oral) for hair loss and severe hypertension.

Minoxidil (Rogaine) is the first FDA-approved topical treatment for hair loss, discovered serendipitously from its antihypertensive use. Available OTC as topical solution/foam. Available generically.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral antihypertensive but hair growth was noticed as a side effect. The topical formulation (Rogaine) became the first FDA-approved treatment for androgenetic alopecia. It prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles and increases follicular size. The oral form is reserved for severe refractory hypertension.

Approved indications

• Alopecia
• Hypertensive disorder

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Key clinical trials

• International Phase III, Multi Center, Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo and Active Controlled and Parallel Group Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 1 mg in Female Pa (Phase 3)
• A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study on the Efficacy and Safety of 5% Minoxidil Foam in the Treatment of Female Androgenetic Alopecia (Phase 3)
• A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to Minoxidil Foam for Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia in Women (Phase 1)
• A Prospective Multicentric Open Label Randomized Bio-Interventional Phase I/II Pilot Study To Evaluate The Safety And Efficacy Of Autologous Human Platelet Lysate (HPL) For Treatment Of Androgenetic A (Phase 1)
• A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase II Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of CG2001 in Chinese Adult Male Participants With Androgenetic Alopecia (Phase 2)
• Randomised, Crossover Bioavailability Clinical Trial of Oral Minoxidil 1 MG, After Single and Multiple Dose Administration to Healthy Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions. (Phase 1)
• Scientific Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Herbal and Non Herbal Formulations in Mitigating Hair Fall, Promoting Hair Growth, and Preventing Premature Hair Graying. (NA)
• Phase I Study of Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Once-Daily Topical Solution in Male Subjects With Androgenetic Alopecia (Phase 1)

Primary sources

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