Can you use minoxidil with finasteride?

Yes

Yes, you can use minoxidil with finasteride: they are a common prescription pairing for male pattern hair loss, and because finasteride is a pill and minoxidil goes on the scalp, there is no layering order or wait time between them.1 2 3

Evidence strength: Moderate

How we grade evidence

The chemistry

They work by different routes. Finasteride is a prescription tablet that lowers the hormone DHT, which shrinks hair follicles in pattern hair loss. Topical minoxidil works directly on the follicle and lengthens the growth phase. In a randomized study of 450 Chinese men with androgenetic alopecia, 80.5% improved on 1 mg finasteride, 59% on 5% minoxidil and 94.1% on the two together after 12 months. Side effects were rare and went away when the drug stopped (Hu 2015). A meta-analysis of 15 randomized trials with 1,172 patients found minoxidil combined with finasteride beat minoxidil alone on global photo assessment, while noting that more trials are still needed (Zhou 2020).

Chemistry

No interaction: one is swallowed, one is applied to the scalp.

Irritation

Minoxidil can itch the scalp; finasteride side effects are systemic, so discuss them with your prescriber.

Order and wait

No order. Take the tablet any time of day; apply minoxidil to a dry scalp as directed.

Common mistakes

The most common error is stopping one of them early. Hair cycles are slow, and the trial judged results at 12 months (Hu 2015). Another is starting both at once and then not knowing which one caused a side effect; some prescribers start one first. A third is women using finasteride without a doctor. The label says women who are or may become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken tablets, because of the risk to a male fetus (Propecia label).

Your routine

Morning

Finasteride tablet as prescribed
Minoxidil on a dry scalp
Let minoxidil dry before styling

Evening

Second minoxidil application if your product says twice daily
Wash hands after applying

Go slower if

Finasteride is prescription-only. Talk to your prescriber about side effects before starting. Women who are pregnant or could become pregnant should not handle crushed or broken finasteride tablets (Propecia label).

Evidence strength

Strong. A randomized study of 450 men found the combination improved more men than either drug alone (Hu 2015), and a meta-analysis of randomized trials supported the combination over minoxidil alone (Zhou 2020). Most of the data are in men.

FAQ

Do I take finasteride before or after applying minoxidil?

No layering order applies. Finasteride is a tablet taken by mouth (Propecia label) and minoxidil goes on the scalp, so they never meet on the skin. Hu 2015 studied oral finasteride combined with topical minoxidil.

How long should I wait between finasteride and minoxidil?

No wait is needed. Follow each product's own schedule.

Which works better on its own?

In one large study, 80.5% of men improved on finasteride and 59% on 5% minoxidil, and 94.1% on both (Hu 2015).

Can women use this pair?

Minoxidil is used by women, but finasteride is generally not given to women who could become pregnant. Ask a doctor (Propecia label).

Your skin