HELP! Major Reaction to Kirkland Minoxidil 5%

[unreal]

Hi guys, new to the forum. I was wondering if any of you have experienced the problem Im having. I first started using Minoxidil in the form of Xandrox, from Dr. Lee a year ago. I was short on funds, so just used it for about 2 months...and it was great. I recently just got a large supply of Kirkland 5% from California (really cheap down there). So, I had about a week and a half's worth of Xandrox left, which I used in conjuction with Nizoral (every few days). Again, everything was fine. Just a few days ago, I switched to the Kirkland as my Xandrox ran out.

On my second application, I got up in the middle of the night with intense itching and a bit of a headache. The areas which I had applied the minoxidil were very red and swollen...and bumpy. If I'd run my finger over the bumps a sticky clear liquid was present (this is even after washing the minoxidil off). I've stopped using the minoxidil obviously, but it's still a bit red, and the sticky liquid still comes back, even after washing my hair. Has anyone ever experienced this? Im not sure why it's happening; Dr. Lee's stuff was perfect. Could it be because I switched brands instantly and they use different ingredients? Im going to go see my doctor, but any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[The Gardener]

I personally use both formulations of minoxidil... I use Rogaine (similar formulation to Kirkland) in the evenings and Dr. Lee's 5% in the mornings. I know from personal experience that the two versions have completely different qualities when applying them (which is why I use the Dr. Lee's in the mornings!)

All minoxidil, and xandrox, is in a solution of alcohol (which is runny and dries quickly) and PPG (which is gelatenous). Dr Lee uses a 70% alcohol/30% PPG mixture, which makes his dry a lot faster. Rogaine, and from my understanding Kirkland minoxidil as well use a 50%/50% mix, which means more PPG. I like the higher PPG solution in the evenings because although it is greasier it tends to stick to the base of the hairshafts better.

Now, onto your question. I think you have an allergic reaction to the PPG, something that did not show up as readily with your Xandrox because, I am assuming here, the Dr Lee xandrox evaporated faster. When you switched to the Kirkland, the higher PPG content and/or the longer time needed for it to dry meant the chemical was sitting in liquid form on your head longer than as was with the xandrox. Perhaps something about this crossed some threshold of tolerance in your skin, and reacted poorly? I am only guessing, but PPG reaction is a very common symptom in some minoxidil users.

Sometimes this reaction will subside with time, sometimes Nizoral will help with it, and some people just cannot take minoxidil with PPG in it at all.

 

[unreal]

I personally use both formulations of minoxidil... I use Rogaine (similar formulation to Kirkland) in the evenings and Dr. Lee's 5% in the mornings. I know from personal experience that the two versions have completely different qualities when applying them (which is why I use the Dr. Lee's in the mornings!)

All minoxidil, and xandrox, is in a solution of alcohol (which is runny and dries quickly) and PPG (which is gelatenous). Dr Lee uses a 70% alcohol/30% PPG mixture, which makes his dry a lot faster. Rogaine, and from my understanding Kirkland minoxidil as well use a 50%/50% mix, which means more PPG. I like the higher PPG solution in the evenings because although it is greasier it tends to stick to the base of the hairshafts better.

Now, onto your question. I think you have an allergic reaction to the PPG, something that did not show up as readily with your Xandrox because, I am assuming here, the Dr Lee xandrox evaporated faster. When you switched to the Kirkland, the higher PPG content and/or the longer time needed for it to dry meant the chemical was sitting in liquid form on your head longer than as was with the xandrox. Perhaps something about this crossed some threshold of tolerance in your skin, and reacted poorly? I am only guessing, but PPG reaction is a very common symptom in some minoxidil users.

Sometimes this reaction will subside with time, sometimes Nizoral will help with it, and some people just cannot take minoxidil with PPG in it at all.

Thanks for the reply Gardener. By "PPG" I assume you're referring to propylene glycol? If so, you may be right...that seems to be the main difference in the solutions, and Dr. Lee states quite a few times that a large number of patients can have adverse affects to PPG, which is why he uses to little of it (or none at all).