Minoxidil
An over-the-counter topical treatment (Rogaine) or off-label oral prescription used to stimulate hair growth in men and women.
Originally developed as an oral blood pressure medication, minoxidil's exact mechanism for treating hair loss is not entirely understood, but it is believed to act as a vasodilator. By widening blood vessels, it increases blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients to the hair follicles.
This process can force resting hair follicles into the active growth (anagen) phase and enlarge shrunken follicles.
Topical minoxidil is available over-the-counter as a liquid or foam. Oral minoxidil is increasingly prescribed off-label by dermatologists and telehealth providers for cases where topical treatments are insufficient.