Is Taking Rogaine And Alcohol Together Dangerous? A Closer Look

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on May 13, 2022

Though hundreds of over-the-counter hair loss treatments are available, the only two treatments approved by the FDA are minoxidil and finasteride. You can online order Rogaine (minoxidil) and finasteride from Canada.

Minoxidil is a generic form of Rogaine, which is the hair growth treatment we will focus on here. Originally developed to treat high blood pressure, one of the side effects of minoxidil was unwanted hair growth, which gave the drug companies an idea.

From this, Rogaine was born. Rogaine is applied directly to the scalp and is believed to dilate blood vessels, allowing for more blood flow to the area, which, in turn, stimulates the hair follicles to grow.

We will be taking a look at Rogaine in this article. Specifically, what are the effects of mixing alcohol and Rogaine?

You may have wondered what, if any, side effects might occur if you drink alcohol while using Rogaine, so we will take a look at that and more here in hopes of relieving any doubts you may have.

Several oral treatments may have adverse effects when taken with alcohol, so we are here to discover what, if any, adverse effects Rogaine and alcohol might have.

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Table of contents:

Does Alcohol Affect Hair Loss?

Due to varying factors, there are several ways that alcohol use can be linked to hair loss. While the occasional beer or glass of wine will certainly not affect your hair, consuming a lot of alcohol and often can greatly affect your hair's health.

Here are some ways in which alcohol can affect hair loss:

1. Dehydration leads to brittle hair
2. Alcohol oftentimes leads to poor food choices
3. Blood sugar spikes caused by alcohol consumption may lead to hair loss
4. Liver damage can lead to toxins in the blood
5. Nutrition deficiency due to alcohol abuse can cause hair loss

While the occasional beer or glass of wine will certainly not affect your hair, consuming a lot of alcohol can significantly affect your hair's health.

As you can see, most of the ways in which alcohol affects hair loss come from long-term or heavy alcohol use. Though quite a lot of hair loss is genetic, it is possible that alcohol could play a factor.

Another significant factor in hair loss is stress. Some people drink to help with anxiety, but this may further affect your hair loss.

As we stated before, enjoying an occasional drink or two should not have any adverse effects on your hair. If you are concerned about your drinking causing hair loss, we suggest seeing a healthcare professional.

Read more: Rogaine Dosages Guide

What Happens If I Drink Alcohol While Taking Rogaine?

Here's the thing - Rogaine, because it is a topical treatment, does not interact with drugs and alcohol as severely as it would if it were taken orally. That is not to say that you should not use caution when you combine alcohol with Rogaine.

Some of the side effects of Rogaine may include:

1. Lightheadedness and/or dizziness
2. Headaches
3. Blurry vision

After reading these effects, you may be thinking that the effects appear to be similar to those of alcohol. In that case, what would happen if you mix Rogaine and alcohol use?

Rogaine, unlike other medications (typically those taken orally), does not interact directly with alcohol use. However, if you have side effects from using Rogaine and you add alcohol into the mix, you can expect those side effects to be stronger.

For example, if you are using Rogaine, alcohol headaches may become more severe. The same goes for dizziness and lightheadedness.

If you are experiencing any side effects severely, then you should consult a healthcare professional right away.

Read more: Minoxidil vs. Rogaine

How Much Alcohol Can I Drink While Using Rogaine?

Rogaine comes with warnings not to use it if:

1. You do not have a history of hair loss in your family
2. Your scalp is red and inflamed, and you are under 18 or over 65
3. Your hair loss is sudden, and the reason is unknown
4. You have had an allergic reaction to the treatment before
5. you are a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding

However, what you do not see here is a warning not to take with alcohol. That being said, we do know the adverse effects that drinking on Rogaine may have.

If you are wondering how much you can drink without running the risks, there isn't a clear-cut answer. Yet, it is best to discuss the use of alcohol with Rogaine with your healthcare professional. 

More than likely, if you are not overconsuming alcohol, you will be fine. However, if you have any adverse effects, stop using Rogaine immediately and consult a doctor.

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What Are Some Possible Side Effects of Mixing Rogaine and Alcohol?

As we discussed before, there are a few possible side effects associated with the use of Rogaine. However, these may be increased when mixing alcohol with Rogaine.

Dizziness and lightheadedness may occur if too much Rogaine is absorbed through the scalp and blood vessels. Drinking alcohol on top of this will only exacerbate these symptoms. 

Also, Rogaine can sometimes cause headaches, and alcohol use leads to dehydration which will also lead to headaches. Therefore, a Rogaine and alcohol interaction may cause more severe headaches or even cause them with more frequency.

Read more: Rogaine Cost in Canada

Key Takeaways

If you are debating whether or not it is safe to combine Rogaine and alcohol, then speak with a healthcare professional first. However, there typically aren't any adverse effects when mixing the two.

Always be responsible for your alcohol use and ensure that you use Rogaine safely and follow the instructions on the package. While there is a Rogaine and alcohol risk, it is probably minimal.