Are there any precautions that I should know about while using this topical medication?
Individuals who are pregnant (due to the possibility of absorption of finasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a male fetus), individuals who have the ability to become pregnant, individuals who are breastfeeding, and individuals under the age of 18 should not handle this medication and should not come into contact with the site of medication application (your scalp) after the medication has been applied. If they do, they should immediately clean the site of contact on their skin with soap and water.
Minoxidil is suspected to be toxic to cats and dogs. Please do not allow cats, dogs, or other pets to ingest this medication or to come into contact with the treatment site after the medication has been applied. If these occur, consult your pet's veterinarian.
Do not use this topical medication if:
You are allergic to finasteride, minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine®) or any of the inactive ingredients in Topical Finasteride + Minoxidil Spray. Inactive ingredients include: propylene glycol, citric acid, ethyl alcohol.
Do not use this topical medication if any of the following apply to you:
You are currently taking oral finasteride for hair loss. Oral finasteride and topical finasteride + minoxidil spray cannot be used at the same time
You are currently taking other medications in the same class as finasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitors: e.g. dutasteride, Avodart®, Jalyn®)
You are allergic to any of the ingredients of topical finasteride + minoxidil
You are a cis-gender woman who is not postmenopausal and has not had a hysterectomy
You are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding
You are younger than 18 years of age
You have a history of estrogen-sensitive cancer (including breast, uterine, ovarian cancer) within the last five years.
How do I use this topical medication?
This medication should be used once a day (either in the morning or in the evening). If you choose the evening, apply the medication 30 minutes to 1 hour before you go to bed
Apply a maximum of 4 sprays for the entire scalp in the area(s) affected by hair loss once daily. Gently massage the treatment into the scalp with your fingertips. Carefully blot any excess medication to avoid it running onto your face.
Remove any excess medication that gets on your face with gentle soap and water. Hair can grow anywhere on the skin that the medication comes into contact with after repeated use.
Make sure to wash your hands with soap immediately after you apply this medication.
Do not get your hair wet for at least 4 hours after application of the medication.
Are there any practical tips that I should know about while using this topical medication?
To minimize breakage of new hair growth, brush your hair using a comb with widely spaced teeth.
Do not use a blow dryer immediately after applying your medication to help it dry faster. This may interfere with its absorption into your scalp.
What happens if I occasionally forget to apply the topical medication?
It’s okay to miss an application here or there, but the medication only works if you use it daily as prescribed.
It may help to put a reminder alarm on your phone for your daily treatment application.
Can I use this topical medication more than once a day?
No. Using more than the recommended amount will not improve results and can increase the risk of side effects.
What if I have dandruff?
Dandruff is a condition that is often seen in women who have female-pattern hair loss. Uncontrolled dandruff can worsen hair loss.
Proper treatment of dandruff is important. Over-the-counter anti dandruff shampoos can be used to treat mild to moderate dandruff. Severe dandruff may require treatment by a medical professional.
What should I expect during treatment with this medication?
You may experience some mild hair shedding in the first 2-8 weeks after starting this medication. This is normal and means that the medication is working.
You may experience some scalp irritation (e.g., itching, redness, stinging, flaking) when you first start using the medication. These symptoms are typically mild and short-lived.
You should start to see improvement in hair growth after 3-6 months of use. If there is no improvement after 6 months of use, please contact a medical provider through the Hers platform.
What happens when I stop using this topical medication?
Any benefit gained from treatment will be lost and your hair loss will revert to what it would have been without treatment.
What are the common side effects of this topical medication?
You may experience side effects with this medication:
Itching
Redness
Irritation
Burning sensation
Contact dermatitis
Dry and flaky scalp
If you develop any of the following symptoms, please stop using this topical medication and contact your medical provider right away:
Chest pain
Rapid heart beat
Faintness or dizziness
Sudden and unexplained weight gain
Swelling of hands or feet
Breast tenderness/enlargement
Unwanted facial hair growth
Sexual dysfunction (e.g., low libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased volume of ejaculate)
Symptoms of depression
Severe scalp irritation
Blurred vision or vision changes
These are not all of the possible side effects of topical finasteride + minoxidil spray. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You can message a healthcare provider through your Hers account if you have any questions about your treatment, including any side effects you may be experiencing. You may report side effects to FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch.
Medication disposal
If you no longer need your medication, the best way to dispose of most types of old, unused, unwanted, or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter) is to drop off the medicine at a drug take back site, location, or program immediately. You can use the DEA DIVERSION CONTROL DIVISION LOOKUP to find your nearest drug disposal site.
If no drug take back sites, locations, or programs are available in your area, and there are no specific disposal instructions (such as flushing) in the medication guide or package insert, you can visit FDA- Disposal of Unused Medicines for more information or follow these simple steps to dispose of most medicines in your trash at home:
Mix medicines (liquid or pills; do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unappealing substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds;
Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag;
Throw away the container in your trash at home; and
Delete all personal information on the prescription label of empty medicine bottles or medicine packaging, then trash or recycle the empty bottle or packaging.
Accurate Information
Your provider has evaluated the specific health information you provided and is making recommendations based on it. If you forgot to provide or incorrectly provided any information, your provider may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect their recommendation for treatment. If you need to clarify or update any information about your health, please message a provider through the Hers platform.
Treatment Failure
This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If you do not see any signs of improvement or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, message a provider through the Hers platform anytime or contact your regular healthcare provider. If it is an emergency, call 911 or seek immediate help in-person.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
There is also a risk that your provider will misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect the recommendation for treatment. The healthcare providers providing treatment through the Hers platform use evidence-based guidelines as well as clinical decision-making to try to minimize these risks.
Accepting or Declining The Recommendation
Your provider is recommending this treatment for you because the potential benefits outweigh the risks in their estimation. You should evaluate this information and any input from your in-person healthcare team, and any other relevant information to decide if this treatment plan is appropriate for you. You are free to not follow the recommendations you received from the provider through the Hers platform.
Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team
You can request access to your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person healthcare team about any new medicines that you are taking or other changes in your health.
You can also ask questions anytime by messaging a provider through the Hers platform, and we are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.
FAQ:
Is it normal to see an increase in hair shedding when starting new hair loss treatment?
Shedding is a fairly common side effect when starting a new hair loss medication. It can occur with any treatment but is most common with minoxidil. While it can be a cause for alarm, it is part of the process and means the medication is working. Typically we don’t recommend adjusting therapy except for intolerable shedding or shedding that lasts longer than 2 months. If you have continued shedding after the first 2 months of treatment, please let us know so we can connect you with your provider who can go over the next steps.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/how-long-before-minoxidil-starts-working#minoxidil-and-hair-shedding
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-is-working-now-how-to-keep-that-new-hair
When can I see results from hair loss treatment?
All hair loss medications take about 4-6 months to see results. If you are not seeing results after 6 months of treatment, or if you are experiencing any side effects, then please reach out for re-evaluation. Since hair growth is gradual it may be helpful to take a progress photo each month. Try to take photos in the same lighting at the same angle. If you always get the same haircut then right afterwards is a great time to take a progress photo so your hair is the same length.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-results-timeline
https://www.hims.com/blog/how-long-before-minoxidil-starts-working
Can I use a dermaroller with my topical treatment?
You may opt to use a dermaroller to increase the efficacy of your topical formulation. Follow the instructions specific to the device. Make sure to apply the dermaroller with light pressure to minimize bleeding on your scalp for 2-5 minutes at night, preferably after showering, and before you apply your topical formula. It is recommended to wait a few weeks after starting your topical formula to let your skin adjust before trying a dermaroller. While dermarollers come in different needle sizes, starting with 0.25mm is the best to start with. Disinfecting the dermaroller after use by soaking in 70% isopropyl alcohol is very important to prevent infection. Most studies involve using a dermaroller one night a week. Be sure to avoid using a dermaroller if your skin feels irritated or swollen.
You can find more information about this here: https://www.hims.com/blog/dermaroller-and-minoxidil
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking hair loss medications?
It’s safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking your hair loss medications, however heavy alcohol consumption can affect your nutrient absorption to the point where you may develop nutritional deficiencies that can cause hair loss. Furthermore, drinking alcohol while taking oral minoxidil can potentially cause a decrease in blood pressure causing light-headedness, dizziness, or fainting.
You can find more information about this here:
https://www.hims.com/blog/alcohol-and-hair-loss
https://www.hims.com/blog/finasteride-and-alcohol
https://www.hims.com/blog/minoxidil-interactions
Does wearing my hair in tight hairstyles cause hair loss?
If you wear your hair in tight hairstyles this puts a lot of strain on your hair follicles. With continued use, it will eventually lead to scarring and permanent loss of hair, which we call traction alopecia. In order to prevent further hair loss, it’s important to avoid wearing tight hairstyles and give your hair breaks between artificial hair use or braiding. If it hurts while your hair is being styled, you should ask the stylist to stop and redo it since pain signals damage at the hair root. Combining tight hairstyles with chemically treated hair increases the risk of traction alopecia and should be avoided. Hair loss treatments will help the hair that you have to grow thicker, but it will not regrow hair where scarring has already occurred.
This information is intended to support, not replace, discussions with your healthcare provider. All decisions regarding your care should be made with a healthcare provider, considering your individual health needs and circumstances. This medication is only available to residents of the United States.
Telemedicine Disclosure
