Please read this information before starting your medication and again when you receive refills. This guide summarizes important safety information, but it does not replace the instructions provided by your prescribing clinician or pharmacist.
This product is a compounded oral medication used to support treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia). Because it is compounded, it is not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or manufacturing consistency in the same way it reviews approved drugs.
This medication is intended for men age 18 and older only.
What this medication contains
Each dose contains:
- Finasteride 1.1mg
- Minoxidil 3.3mg
- Biotin 2.5mg
- L-Cysteine 70mg
- Zinc 10mg
- Vitamin B6 4.5mg
- GHK-Cu 2mg
What this medication is used for
This medication is prescribed to help treat male pattern hair loss. It combines:
- Finasteride, which helps lower DHT, a hormone involved in male pattern hair loss
- Minoxidil, which is FDA-approved for high blood pressure and is used off-label at low doses to support hair growth
- Biotin, L-Cysteine, Zinc, Vitamin B6, and GHK-Cu, which are included as supportive ingredients in this compounded formulation
Important safety information
- This product is for men only
- Do not share this medication with anyone else
- Take it exactly as prescribed
- Taking more than prescribed will not make it work faster or better
- Hair loss treatment usually requires consistent daily use over months
- Some patients notice temporary increased shedding early in treatment; this can happen as hair cycles reset and may improve with continued use
Who should not take this medication
Do not take this medication if any of the following apply to you:
- Age under 18 years
- Allergy to finasteride, minoxidil, biotin, L-cysteine, zinc, vitamin B6, GHK-Cu, or any inactive ingredient in the compounded product
- Current use of another product containing finasteride or another 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as dutasteride
- Current use of another product containing minoxidil, whether oral or topical
- History of pheochromocytoma
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Partner handling concerns: women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid handling crushed or broken tablets/capsules
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Significant heart disease, especially if previously advised to avoid vasodilator medications
- History of heart failure, unexplained swelling, chest pain syndromes, or other serious cardiovascular disease unless specifically cleared
- History of stroke or TIA unless specifically reviewed and cleared
- Significant kidney disease
- Significant liver disease
- Recent chemotherapy
- Prostate cancer diagnosed within the last 5 years, or other prostate conditions not yet reviewed by the prescriber
- Male breast cancer or recent breast cancer history
- Use of medicines that may create important interaction or safety concerns, depending on your full medication list
Before starting this medication, tell your prescriber if you have or have ever had
- Low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting
- Palpitations, rapid heartbeat, arrhythmia, or other heart problems
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, around the eyes, or shortness of breath
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- History of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts
- Fertility concerns or a history of low sperm count
- Breast lumps, breast tenderness, or nipple discharge
- Prostate disease or elevated PSA
- Any medication allergies
- Any supplements or vitamins you take regularly
Medication and supplement precautions
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take.
Important precautions include:
- Do not use with other finasteride products
- Do not use with other minoxidil products
- Use caution with other vitamins or supplements so you do not unintentionally take excessive amounts of overlapping ingredients
- This product already contains biotin 2.5 mg; avoid adding extra high-dose biotin unless specifically instructed
- High-dose biotin can interfere with certain lab tests, including some tests used in emergency heart evaluation
- This product contains zinc 10 mg; check other supplements to avoid unnecessary excess zinc intake
How to take it
- Take by mouth exactly as prescribed, usually once daily
- It may be taken with or without food
- If it causes lightheadedness, taking it later in the day may be helpful if that matches the prescription instructions
- If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled
- Do not double up doses
What to expect
- Hair shedding can increase temporarily in the first several weeks
- Visible benefit may take several months
- Full benefit often requires ongoing use
- If you stop treatment, hair loss will usually gradually return toward its prior course over time
Common side effects
Common or possible side effects may include:
- Increased hair growth on the face or body
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Headache
- Leg swelling or fluid retention
- Swelling around the eyes
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
- Sexual side effects such as lower sex drive, erection problems, or reduced ejaculate volume
- Rash or allergic-type skin symptoms
Less common but important possible side effects
Reported or possible side effects include:
- Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
- Suicidal thoughts
- Testicular pain
- Reduced sperm count or reduced semen quality
- Persistent sexual side effects after stopping, in some patients
- Breast lumps or nipple discharge
- Changes that may affect PSA blood test interpretation
- EKG changes with oral minoxidil
Serious symptoms: stop the medication and seek urgent medical care right away
Stop taking this medication and get urgent medical attention if you develop:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Severe dizziness
- Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- New or worsening swelling of the legs, feet, face, or around the eyes
- Sudden weight gain from fluid retention
- Signs of stroke such as weakness, facial droop, trouble speaking, or sudden severe neurologic symptoms
- Severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat; wheezing; or trouble breathing
- Severe rash or hives
- New breast lump, nipple discharge, or major breast changes
- New severe depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts
Mental health warning
Finasteride has been associated in some patients with new or worsening depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. If mood symptoms appear or worsen, stop the medication and seek prompt evaluation.
Fertility warning
Finasteride may reduce sperm count in some patients. This may be especially important for patients who are actively trying to conceive or who already have fertility concerns.
PSA and prostate testing
Finasteride can lower PSA levels. If you have a PSA blood test, be sure to tell the clinician ordering the test that you are taking finasteride.
Pregnancy handling warning
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken medication containing finasteride. If accidental contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water right away.
Use with caution in patients with cardiovascular risk
Because this product contains oral minoxidil, monitor for:
- Dizziness or blood pressure-related symptoms
- Fast heart rate
- Swelling or fluid retention
- Chest symptoms
- Breathing changes
Patients with cardiovascular, kidney, or liver disease may need additional review before use.
Laboratory and test considerations
Tell healthcare staff before testing that you are taking this medication because:
- Finasteride may affect PSA interpretation
- Biotin may interfere with certain blood tests
- Minoxidil may affect EKG interpretation in some settings
Storage
- Store at room temperature
- Keep in the original container from the pharmacy
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
Pet safety
Minoxidil can be harmful to pets. Keep this medication away from dogs, cats, and other animals.
Disposal
If the medication is expired or no longer needed, use a medication take-back program if available. If no take-back option is available, follow pharmacist or local disposal guidance.
General reminders
- This medication is prescribed only for the person named on the prescription
- Do not use it for another condition
- Do not give it to anyone else
- If your health history, medications, or supplements change, notify the prescribing team because the safety of this medication may also change
Supporting References
- Evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men-short version. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2018
- Controversies in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: the history of finasteride. Dermatologic Therapy, 2019
- Finasteride PO side effects. FDA, 2025
- What's new in therapy for male androgenetic alopecia?. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2023
- Hair loss: diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician, 2024
- Low-dose oral minoxidil initiation for patients with hair loss: an international modified delphi consensus statement. JAMA Dermatology, 2025
- The efficacy and safety of finasteride combined with topical minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2020
- Relative efficacy of minoxidil and the 5-α reductase inhibitors in androgenetic alopecia treatment of male patients: a network meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatology, 2022
- Oral minoxidil for alopecia treatment: risks, benefits, and recommendations. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2026
- Evidence for supplemental treatments in androgenetic alopecia. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014
- Lasers, Light's, and compounds for hair loss in aesthetics. Clinics in Dermatology, 2021
- Injectable therapy for androgenetic alopecia: a systematic review. Dermatologic Surgery, 2026
- Technological advances in anti-hair loss and hair regrowth cosmeceuticals: mechanistic breakthroughs and industrial prospects driven by multidisciplinary collaborative innovation. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2025