Can Minoxodil be bought over the counter?


To give a short answer; yes to both, it is a drug, and yes, it can be bought over the counter. That Minoxidil is a drug can be seen through the simple fact that like all other drugs in existence it was subject to years of clinical trials to ensure that there were no serious side effects before it could be released onto the market. Minoxidil, as stated above is a drug that was originally developed to help with high-blood pressure. Its full chemical structure (if you are interested) is C9H15N5O with its chemical name being 2,4-Pyrimidinediamine, 6-(1-piperidinyl)-, 3-oxide. When it is in its natural state Minoxidil appears as an off-white powder which is soluble in alcohol and slightly soluble in water.

FDA classification and any required prescriptions

On top of this, the FDA has classified it a class C drug which means that there have been studies done on animals which show it to have an adverse effect on foetus's and that it should only be administered to pregnant women when the advantages of its use (unfortunately in this case high-blood pressure, not hair loss) outweigh the potential risk to the foetus. However, it is not the only drug that is available for hair loss. The other main drug that is used, often in conjunction with Minoxidil, is Finasteride. While Finasteride requires a prescription, Minoxidil does not, and can be bought over the counter in most pharmacies. It is possible, however, if you visit your GP and express concern about your hair loss, that they will prescribe Minoxidil for you, though this will be done privately rather than through the NHS and you will have to pay the full price for the drug. This means that while you do not need to go see your GP, it would be advisable to see him or her as Minoxidil only works on male pattern baldness and if you are experiencing baldness for any other reason, it may be harmful to use.

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