12.5% Minoxidil?

Hello. I recently came across a website claiming to sell Minoxidil 12.5% solution. Do you know if this is legit? I haven’t heard of the FDA approving such a solution, and if it is available on this one particular site, why isn’t it available at major drug/retail stores? Also, same question for 5% minoxidil solution w/out propylene glycol (which irritates my scalp)also “allegedly” available at this site. I just don’t want to get scammed if I do decide to purchase either of the above products. Thanks a lot for your time and information.

Note: I can’t really answer your question, as I have not researched the FDA issues and am just pulling from my general knowledge on the laws by which I practice under. That being said, I’m willing to take a stab at it…

Doctors have the ‘power’ to mix up medications for their patients under many state laws. These do not have to be FDA approved because they are not bottled and sold to the public. The FDA does not get into protecting one patient from one doctor, just lots of people from medications. The doctor should generally use medications that are safe and effective and if one doctor is producing 12.5% minoxidil, I would suggest that this doctor has special knowledge on the safety and effectiveness of this drug. Higher and higher doses of minoxidil can drop blood pressure, so it is not without risk when and if it is used. The same applies to the use of propylene glycol in the mix.

A couple years ago, I had a reader write in with a question about 15% minoxidil he could buy from his doctor, so apparently that is also available in some places. I don’t concoct my own minoxidil mixtures, so I’m not unfortunately not the most knowledgeable about this.