Minoxidil solution and foam are used to help hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness. It is not used for baldness at the front of the scalp or receding hairline in men. The foam and 2 percent minoxidil solution is also used to help hair growth in women with thinning hair.

Minoxidil belongs to a class of drugs known as vasodilators. It is not known how minoxidil causes hair growth. This medication is not used for sudden/patchy hair loss, unexplained hair loss (e.g., no family history of hair loss), or hair loss after giving birth.

Do not use this product if you are 18 years old or younger.

Minoxidil for pattern hair loss:

Minoxidil was originally marketed in a tablet form for the treatment of high blood pressure. One of the side effects of this treatment was unwanted hair growth. This side effect promoted researchers to produce a topical solution for treating hair loss. In some countries, it is available in other formulations such as foam.

Topical minoxidil is used in the treatment of male pattern hair loss in men, and female pattern hair loss in women. It is occasionally useful for other forms of hair loss (alopecia), including alopecia areata, and after hair replacement surgery or chemotherapy.

Minoxidil is marketed in New Zealand as Rogaine™ Topical Solution (5%) and Headway™ Topical Solution (2% and 5%). The 5% solution is probably more effective but it may result in greater irritation than the 2% solution. It is applied to the affected area of the scalp once or twice daily for a minimum of 6 months. If it is found effective, it may be continued long term.