Top 4 drugs recommended by pharmacists for AGA control in 2024!

For those suffering from AGA (male pattern baldness), over-the-counter medications are one of the easiest treatments to start.

Early care is important to reduce the progression of thinning and hair loss, and over-the-counter medications can be a step in this direction.

However, with so many options for AGA treatment, it is often difficult to know which one to choose.

This article provides information on over-the-counter medications recommended by pharmacists in 2024 to help you take control of your AGA.

What is AGA (male pattern baldness)?

What is AGA (male pattern baldness)?

Let’s take a look at its characteristics and causes!

Causes and Symptoms of AGA (male pattern baldness)

AGA (male pattern baldness) is a progressive alopecia that is mainly caused by heredity and hormones.

AGA is caused by changes in male hormones and the effects of a substance called DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

DHT inhibits the growth of hair matrix cells and shortens the hair growth cycle.

Symptoms of AGA begin with the gradual thinning of hair on the top and frontal areas of the head.

This symptom progresses in a specific pattern, characterized by a receding frontal hairline and sparse hair on the top of the head.

The degree of progression of AGA varies from person to person, and in selecting over-the-counter medications and treatment options, it is important to make the right choice for your condition.

AGA Progression and Diagnosis

There are stages in the progression of AGA.

The most common methods of diagnosing AGA are self-examination and consultation with a dermatologist.

In a self-examination, the amount of hair loss, hair fineness, and the condition of the front and top of the head are observed.

At a dermatologist or specialized clinic, the doctor checks the condition of the scalp by visual inspection and palpation, and in some cases uses a microscope or scope to make a diagnosis.

AGA can be started with over-the-counter medications, but if symptoms have progressed or if you do not feel any benefit, it is important to seek a specialist’s diagnosis.

Effective AGA countermeasures can be achieved by selecting over-the-counter drugs with the advice of a pharmacist.

Refer to the AGA over-the-counter drug recommendation ranking to choose the right product for you and take care of your condition as soon as possible.

How to choose an over-the-counter drug

When choosing an over-the-counter drug for AGA control, there are several important points to consider.

It is important to choose an over-the-counter drug that contains active ingredients that will have the best effect on your thinning hair or hair loss symptoms.

Side effects, method of use, and price are also important selection criteria.

Active ingredients and their effects

Over-the-counter drugs contain a variety of active ingredients, the most notable of which is Minoxidil.

Minoxidil is recognized as an effective hair regrowth agent and is available in concentrations of up to 5% in over-the-counter topical medications.

This ingredient promotes blood circulation and stimulates hair matrix cells, thereby aiding hair growth.

Minoxidil is classified as a Class I drug, which is purchased with an explanation from a pharmacist.

Class I drug must be explained by a pharmacist.

However, it is now available not only at drugstores where pharmacists work, but also at pharmacies, drugstores, and drugstores online.

Another important ingredient is Finasteride or Dutasteride.

These slow the progression of AGA by inhibiting the production of DHT, a type of male hormone.

However, Finasteride and Dutasteride are only available in prescription oral medications and not in over-the-counter topical medications.

Side Effects and Cautions

While the active ingredients are highly effective, side effects should also be noted.

For example, Minoxidil has been reported to cause side effects such as itching and redness of the scalp, as well as a temporary increase in hair loss known as early hair loss.

For this reason, caution should be exercised when using it.

In the case of Finasteride and Dutasteride, side effects such as sexual dysfunction and depression may occur.

Directions and Duration of Use

Over-the-counter AGA medications are difficult to be effective if not used correctly.

For example, it is recommended that topical medications containing minoxidil be applied in appropriate amounts to the scalp at set times each day.

Since the method of use varies from product to product, it is important to be sure to read the instructions before use.

In addition, AGA treatment is a long-term process.

It generally takes several months to six months to see results from over-the-counter medications.

Therefore, it is required that you do not give up immediately because you do not see any effect in a short period of time, but that you continue to use the product.

Top 5 Recommended Over-the-Counter Drugs

There are various types of over-the-counter drugs for AGA control, and their selection and effectiveness vary widely.

Here we detail the top 5 pharmacist-recommended over-the-counter drug rankings for 2024.

Use it as a reference to help you decide which drug is best for you.

No. 1: Scalp D Medical Minoki 5

Apply 1 ml twice daily to the scalp where hair loss is occurring

Effect	Ingredient	Content (in 100ml)
Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression	Minoxidil	5.0ℊ

Scalp-D Medical Minoxi5 is a hair regrowth treatment containing 5% Minoxidil and is very effective in the treatment of AGA.

The active ingredient Minoxidil dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to hair follicles and promoting hair growth.

Because it is highly effective, it has a very good reputation among users by word of mouth, and its continued use is recommended.

The price revision in October 2022 has made it more affordable.

No. 2: Taisho Pharmaceutical RiUP X5 Plus Neo

Apply 1 ml twice a day to the scalp where hair loss is occurring

Effect	Ingredient	Content (in 100ml)
Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression	Minoxidil	5.0ℊ
Supports the growth of strong hair	Pyridoxine hydrochloride	0.05g
Improves the environment for healthy hair growth and regulates the natural cycle of hair growth	Tocopherol acetate	0.08g
Give a feeling of coolness	l-menthol	0.3g
Reduce the itch	Diphenhydramine hydrochloride	0.1g
Reduces inflammation such as redness and itching of the scalp and kills bacteria that tend to grow on the scalp	Glycyrrhetinic acid	0.1g
Reduces dandruff and itching and promotes normalization of the scalp environment	Hinokitiol	0.05g

Taisho Pharmaceutical’s RiUP X5 Plus Neo is the first hair regrowth treatment containing 5% Minoxidil launched in Japan.

In addition to Minoxidil, it also contains blood circulation stimulating and anti-inflammatory ingredients for comprehensive scalp care.

The easy-to-continue pricing and discounts for regular purchases are attractive.

No. 3: Rohto Ligro EX5

Apply 1 ml twice a day to the scalp where hair loss is occurring.

Effect	Ingredient	Content (in 100ml)
Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression	Minoxidil	5.0ℊ

Rohto’s Ligro EX5 is a hair regrowth agent containing 5% Minoxidil.

It is expected to promote blood circulation in the scalp and help regrow hair follicles.

The product features stylish packaging that makes it hard to believe it is a hair regrowth treatment, and it is reasonable price and easy to continue using.

No. 4: Allogain 5

Apply 1 ml twice daily to the scalp where hair loss is occurring.

Effect	Ingredient	Content (in 100ml)
Hair regrowth, hair growth and prevention of hair loss progression	Minoxidil	5.0g

Allogain 5 is a hair regrowth agent containing 5% Minoxidil and is considered to be highly effective, especially for patients with early-stage AGA.

The pinpoint nozzle allows direct application to the scalp without wasting the chemical solution.

The drug does not adhere easily to the hair and is non-sticky and fragrance-free.

To reduce irritation to the scalp, no preservatives, antioxidants, or other unnecessary additives are added.

The price range is also very reasonable.

(Other) Anfer Medicated Hair Growth Scalp Tonic (Nonmedicinal product)

Finally, we introduce a quasi-drug hair growth tonic, although it is not a pharmaceutical product.

It supports hair follicles to grow easily.

Twice a day, spray one push 5-10 cm away from the scalp.

Effect	Ingredient
Reduces dandruff and itchiness	Dipotassium glycyrrhizate
Supports blood circulation to the scalp	DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate
Supports blood circulation to the scalp	tamasaki-tsuzurafuji alkaloid

Amphur’s Medicated Hair Growth Scalp Tonic is a Minoxidil-free hair growth tonic that supports hair health primarily with natural and medicated ingredients.

It contains eight types of scalp care ingredients, which are expected to promote blood circulation in the scalp and deliver nutrients to hair follicles, helping to prevent hair loss and improve the scalp environment.

Summary

There are a variety of over-the-counter drugs available for AGA treatment, but in order to find the right drug for you, it is important to first check whether it contains the right active ingredients for your thinning hair and hair loss symptoms.

In AGA treatment, self-care with over-the-counter medications is effective, but it is important to consult a medical specialist if your symptoms have progressed or if you are not sure which treatment is right for you.

Take advantage of over-the-counter medicines and medical institutions to prevent AGA!