Note: This document contains side effect information about minoxidil topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Rogaine Extra Strength.
Applies to minoxidil topical: topical foam, topical solution.
Serious side effects
Along with its needed effects, minoxidil topical (the active ingredient contained in Rogaine Extra Strength) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking minoxidil topical:
Less common
- Itching or skin rash (continued)
Rare
- Acne at site of application
- burning of scalp
- facial hair growth
- increased hair loss
- inflammation or soreness at root of hair
- reddened skin
- swelling of face
Signs and symptoms of too much medicine being absorbed into the body—Rare
- Blurred vision or other changes in vision
- chest pain
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- flushing
- headache
- lightheadedness
- numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face
- swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs
- weight gain (rapid)
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to minoxidil topical: topical foam, topical solution.
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations
Frequency not reported: Heart rate increased, hypotension[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Application site reactions[Ref]
Application site reactions may involve nearby structures (e.g. ears, face) and typically include pruritus, irritation, pain, rash, edema, dry skin, erythema, and erythematous rash, but may include severe events such as exfoliation, dermatitis, blistering, bleeding, or ulceration.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Hypertrichosis (unwanted non-scalp hair including female facial hair growth), pruritus (including rash pruritic generalized and eye pruritus), rash (including pustular, popular, generalized, vestibular, and seborrheic)
Rare (less than 0.1%): Changes in hair texture
Frequency not reported: Dry skin, skin exfoliation (including exfoliative rash and dermatitis exfoliative), acne (acneiform rash), temporary hair loss, changes in hair color, angioedema (including lip edema, lip swelling, edema mouth, oropharyngeal swelling, pharyngeal edema, swollen tongue and tongue edema)[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions (including face edema, generalized erythema, generalized pruritus, swelling face, pharyngeal edema, and throat tightness)[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea
Frequency not reported: Vomiting[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Eye irritation[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Weight increased[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Depressed mood[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema[Ref]
