Popular Hair Loss Drug Could Be Rare: ‘A Significant Problem’

Minoxidil, a popular hair loss treatment, may be in short supply, experts warn.

Minoxidil is the main active ingredient in Rogaine, which is applied to the scalp. Minoxidil has been shown to be most effective when taken orally, but this form has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat hair loss.

The pill has grown in popularity, and researchers at George Washington University are now reporting a shortage of oral Minoxidil. Their findings were published last week in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.

Researchers called 277 pharmacies in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia to request a 30-day supply of 2.5 milligrams of Minoxidil.

They flagged “a significant gap in care” after finding only 40% of pharmacies could fill prescriptions. The regional shortage “could potentially translate to the national level,” the researchers write.

The medication must be taken daily for patients to maintain their progress; a shortage could be detrimental.

“You can go back and start losing hair again,” Dr. Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington University, told NBC News.

It’s unclear how long patients should wait to receive their medications, according to the study.

“A significant number of our patients will not be able to access Minoxidil due to these shortages,” Friedman said. “This is a significant issue.”

Michael Ganio, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, was not surprised by the study results, pointing out that pharmacies do not always have a supply of 30 days, because the medicine is not used to treat medical problems. EMERGENCIES.

“Why keep more than a week, maybe 10 days, on the shelf?” Ganio asked NBC News.

Androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss, affects approximately 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States, according to Medline Plus.

Patients may need to contact a few pharmacies to fill their prescription if Minoxidil is needed urgently.

“Hair loss is not life-threatening, but let’s not underestimate its impact on quality of life,” Friedman said. “When people lose their hair, it’s extremely debilitating.”

The FDA does not list Minoxidil as being in shortage on its website.

It wouldn’t be the first time an unofficial shortage has worried people with thinning hair.

Last summer, New York found itself in the throes of a Rogaine shortage, with countless numbers of bald men and women facing empty shelves at drugstore chains like Duane Reade and Walgreens.

Right after the so-called shortage, the oral version of Minoxidil became more popular, but perhaps it was growing too much, too fast?