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About Regaine Extra Strength

Regaine Extra Strength and Sons Minoxidil both contain 5% minoxidil. They are topical hair loss treatments applied to the scalp (hair roots) twice daily by men.

• Regaine Extra Strength is available as a foam or scalp solution.
• Lower cost Sons Minoxidil 5% is available as a solution.
• Men can use both Propecia / finasteride 1mg tablets and Regaine/minoxidil on the scalp at the same time.

Regaine foam is licensed for use in men up to 49 years, but Regaine solution and Sons Minoxidil solution are licensed for men up to 65 years. These products can be used safely by men outside of these age groups and Dr Fox supplies these 'off label' where this applies. In practice men up to 65 years and beyond can use any either of these products safely.

How effective is minoxidil?

Topical minoxidil works for 9 out of 10 men to prevent further hair loss and leads to hair regrowth in 4 out of 5 men. Results may become noticeable in just 8 weeks. In clinical studies approximately 60% of men noticed increased scalp coverage after 48 weeks.

If hair loss continues after 12 months of minoxidil use, you are unlikely to benefit from continuing treatment.

How topical minoxidil works

Minoxidil stimulates hair regrowth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles. Oxygen and nutrients carried in blood encourage thicker, more visible hair. In Regaine user surveys, 90% of men reported a slowing or stopping of hair loss.

Minoxidil needs to be applied regularly for it to be effective, and continued treatment is needed to maintain the benefits. It is safe for long-term use. If treatment is stopped, hair growth which took place during treatment will be lost within 3-4 months.

Video: How Minoxidil helps reverse hair loss

Video from Johnson & Johnson Limited.

How to use minoxidil products

Minoxidil is applied twice daily directly to the scalp. Wash hands thoroughly after use. Please refer to the individual product packaging and Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) for detailed instructions.

DO NOT use minoxidil 5% if you:

• Were assigned female at birth (a lower dose topical minoxidil product called Regaine for women can be purchased over the counter. Dr Fox does not supply this).
• Are less than 18 years of age.
• Have an allergy or hypersensitivity to minoxidil.
• May have hair loss due to a cause other than male 'pattern' hair loss, e.g. chemotherapy, total alopecia (loss of hair over entire body).
• Have a phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour).
• Have low blood pressure.

It is recommended to discuss use of topical minoxidil with your usual GP if you have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

• Heart disease.
• An irregular heart beat.
• Angina/chest pains.
• Circulatory disorders.
• High blood pressure (treated or untreated).

Cautions

• Topical minoxidil must be kept away from children and animals. If swallowed it could lead to serious heart toxicity.
• Avoid contact with broken, infected, shaved, sunburned or inflamed skin.
• Do not use it with other scalp creams, ointments, or lotions.
• Do not use under dressings or bandages.
• Flammable! Keep away from fire or flames including after application.

Possible side effects

• You may notice a temporary increase in hair loss over the first 2-6 weeks of treatment. This is NORMAL and is good news. This is due to hairs moving from the resting phase to the growth phase of the hair growth cycle.
• Regaine occasionally causes skin irritation that usually resolves when the treatment is stopped.
• Unwanted hair growth may occur in areas where minoxidil is applied regularly but by accident. Always wash your hands thoroughly after applying.
• Do NOT apply more than the recommended dose - this will not improve the effectiveness but has an increased risk of side effects.

Only a small amount of minoxidil (1-2%) is absorbed into the blood stream therefore side effects are unlikely. You should however stop using minoxidil if the following develop:

• Symptoms of low blood pressure (dizziness or lightheadedness).
• Skin irritation.

What else could I use?

Dr Fox Hair Growth Spray applied to the scalp once daily is an effective treatment for reducing hair loss. It is a topical solution containing finasteride 0.3% and minoxidil 5% and should not be used with any other hair loss medication, ie: Propecia/finasteride 1mg tablets or topical minoxidil.

Propecia (finasteride 1mg) tablets are proven hair loss treatments - a daily tablet which can be used at the same time as topical Regaine/ Sons minoxidil 5%.