Only a handful of medicines have strong evidence for hair loss. This page lists them all, without favouring any brand, so you can have a better conversation with your doctor.
Prescription medicines must be prescribed by a registered doctor. We explain them here but never link to buying them. → Disclaimer
At a glance
| Medicine | Used for | Men / women | Evidence | Prescription in India | Generic available | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minoxidil (topical) 2%, 5% | Pattern hair loss | Both | Strong | Yes, incl. Jan Aushadhi | Minoxidil | |
| Finasteride 1 mg | Male pattern baldness | Men | Strong | Yes | Yes | Finasteride |
| Topical finasteride (often mixed with minoxidil) | Male pattern baldness | Men | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Topical finasteride |
| Oral minoxidil (low dose) | Pattern hair loss, off-label | Both | Moderate, growing | Yes | Yes | Oral minoxidil |
| Dutasteride 0.5 mg | Male pattern baldness, off-label | Men | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Dutasteride |
| Spironolactone | Female pattern / PCOS hair loss, off-label | Women | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Spironolactone |
| Ketoconazole 2% shampoo | Dandruff; add-on for hair loss | Both | Early to moderate | Yes | Ketoconazole shampoo | |
| Steroid injections / creams, JAK inhibitors | Alopecia areata | Both | Strong (varies by drug) | Yes, specialist | Varies | Alopecia treatments |
| Iron, vitamin D, B12 | Only if you're deficient (tested) | Both | Helps if deficient | Usually not | Yes | Deficiencies |
| Biotin | Only if deficient (rare) | Both | Weak otherwise | No | Yes | Biotin |
Head-to-head comparisons
- Minoxidil vs finasteride
- Finasteride vs dutasteride
- Oral vs topical minoxidil
- Minoxidil vs redensyl, rosemary and onion oil
Same medicine, different price
Many branded hair kits and "hair growth solutions" contain the same active medicines (often minoxidil, sometimes with finasteride) as plain generics that cost much less. The active ingredient and its strength are what matter. Check the label for both. → Every minoxidil brand compared by price
Generic options: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras sell low-cost generics. Ask your local Kendra which hair loss medicines they stock.
Three rules for any hair loss medicine
- Get the cause diagnosed first. These medicines treat pattern hair loss. They won't fix thyroid, iron or alopecia areata. → Cause finder
- Judge results at 6–12 months, not 6 weeks. Some shedding early on is common with minoxidil.
- Pattern hair loss needs ongoing treatment. If you stop, the hair you gained or kept is gradually lost.
See a doctor soon if you have: round bald patches that appear suddenly · hair coming out in clumps · redness, pain, pus, scaling or scarring on the scalp · hair loss with fever, weight loss, irregular periods, acne or new facial hair · eyebrow or eyelash loss · hair loss in a child.
Medical review pending: not yet reviewed by a dermatologist. Medical disclaimer
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