Medication questions Minoxidil

Is minoxidil available over the counter in the UK, or only on prescription?

Short answer

Both, depending on the form. Minoxidil scalp solutions and foams in the Regaine range are licensed for pattern hair loss and are on the General Sales List, so no prescription is needed. Minoxidil tablets are prescription-only and are licensed only for severe high blood pressure, so using them for hair loss is off-label. Compounded minoxidil solutions are unlicensed specials made against a prescription.

A clear drop falling from a pipette above an unlabelled amber bottle

Key facts

  • Licensed scalp minoxidil (Regaine solutions and foams) is on the General Sales List: no prescription needed, but it has strict "do not use" rules.
  • Minoxidil tablets are prescription-only. Their UK licence is for severe high blood pressure, not hair loss.
  • Compounded minoxidil solutions are unlicensed specials, made for an individual patient on a prescriber's order.
  • Over the counter does not mean risk-free: the leaflets exclude anyone with high blood pressure, and the men's foam is licensed only to age 49.

Licensed scalp minoxidil: no prescription needed

Four minoxidil products in the Regaine range hold a UK licence for pattern hair loss. The eMC, the UK's database of medicines information, lists each as a General Sales List (GSL) medicine, which means it can be sold without a prescription.

Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5%: for men aged 18 to 65, applied twice daily.

Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5%: for men aged 18 to 49, applied twice daily.

Regaine for Women Regular Strength 2% solution: for women aged 18 to 65, applied twice daily.

Regaine for Women Once a Day Scalp Foam 5%: for women aged 18 to 65, applied once daily.

Their leaflets set out who should not use them. That includes anyone with high blood pressure (treated or not), a scalp condition such as psoriasis or sunburn, a shaved scalp, hair loss that is sudden, patchy or of unknown cause, and anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. People with heart disease or an abnormal heart rhythm are told to talk to a doctor or pharmacist first, and the men's products are not for women (nor the women's once-a-day foam for men). Our guide to how to apply minoxidil covers the directions.

Minoxidil tablets: prescription only

Minoxidil tablets are a prescription-only medicine. The UK-licensed tablet, Loniten, is indicated for "the treatment of severe hypertension" and is given with other medicines. Hair loss is not a licensed use, so a doctor who prescribes minoxidil tablets for hair loss is prescribing off-label, at doses much lower than those used for blood pressure, and must explain that to you along with the risks.

Because tablets act on the whole body, not just the scalp, a prescriber needs to check your heart, blood pressure, kidneys and other medicines first. Our oral minoxidil safety guide sets out the side effects, and oral versus topical minoxidil compares how the two forms differ. Tablets sold without a consultation are a warning sign; see the red flags in our patient guide to oral minoxidil.

Compounded minoxidil solutions: unlicensed specials

A third group sits outside both of the above. A compounded minoxidil solution is made by a pharmacy to a prescriber's order for one patient. The MHRA describes specials as products "specially manufactured or imported for the treatment of an individual patient". They hold no marketing authorisation, so there is no SmPC or leaflet written for them, and the strengths and ingredients can differ from the licensed products.

WMG Meds prescribes compounded minoxidil solutions after an assessment by a GMC-registered doctor. They are unlicensed specials prescribed off-label, not licensed products. See our glossary entry on compounded medicines and the topical minoxidil product page.

What about the NHS?

The NHS says hair loss treatments "are not all available on the NHS", and that they "only work for as long as they're used". Whether a GP will prescribe for pattern hair loss varies, and our guide to hair loss treatment on the NHS covers what to expect.

Which route is right?

We do not rank the three. If you are eligible and a licensed scalp product suits you, a pharmacist can advise on it. A prescription route comes into play when you want a doctor to review your history, when tablets or a non-standard strength are being considered, or when a licensed product is not suitable for you. The leaflets are the best guide to the licensed products, and a doctor is the best guide to your own situation.

If you would like a GMC-registered doctor to look at your hair loss and tell you honestly whether treatment is right for you, the free online assessment is the place to start.

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Related questions

Can I buy minoxidil without a prescription in the UK?

Licensed minoxidil scalp solutions and foams (the Regaine range) are on the General Sales List, so they do not need a prescription. Minoxidil tablets do.

Is Regaine a prescription medicine?

No. The eMC lists the Regaine scalp solutions and foams as General Sales List medicines. The leaflets still list people who should not use them, such as anyone with high blood pressure.

Can I get minoxidil tablets in the UK for hair loss?

Only on prescription. Minoxidil tablets are licensed for severe high blood pressure, so for hair loss a doctor prescribes them off-label after checking your heart, blood pressure and medicines.

Is compounded minoxidil legal in the UK?

Yes, when it is supplied as an unlicensed special against a prescription for an individual patient. It is not a licensed product, and the prescriber must explain this to you.

Can men and women use the same minoxidil?

Not always. The SmPC lists use by women as a contraindication for the men's Regaine solution and foam, and use by men as a contraindication for the women's once-a-day foam. See can women use minoxidil.

Do I need a blood pressure check before using over-the-counter minoxidil?

The leaflets say not to use it at all if you have high blood pressure, even if it is not being treated, and to talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you have heart disease. If you are unsure of your blood pressure, get it checked first.

Sources

Facts checked against these sources on 22 October 2026. This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Read our editorial policy.

Keep reading

Hair loss in women: causes, tests and treatment Related guide Oral minoxidil for women: UK licence and safety Related guide Male pattern hair loss Condition guide Female pattern hair loss Condition guide How do you apply minoxidil, and how much should you use? Question answered What is the difference between minoxidil foam and liquid? Question answered What is the difference between 2% and 5% minoxidil? Question answered Oral vs topical minoxidil: what is the difference? Question answered How long does minoxidil take to work? Question answered Minoxidil shedding: why it happens and how long it lasts Question answered Can I use minoxidil once a day? Question answered Topical minoxidil and scalp irritation and itching Side effect guide Minoxidil topical solution Medicine information Minoxidil 2.5 mg oral tablets Medicine information Off-label prescribing Glossary Compounded medicine (compounded unlicensed special) Glossary Prescription-only medicine (POM) Glossary

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