Beginning last December, Rogaine became one of the hottest things on the Internet. For eight years it was a prescription only drug that grew hair on some balding men. But in January a new Rogaine was available over the counter for the first time, and for about half of its prescription price.

Our initial sales were brisk with most of the new hair regrowth treatment headed (pun not intended) for asia, most notably Japan. It wasn't until Upjohn started a massive advertising campaign in January that sales throught the US started to pick up substantially.

Early reports have shown that, some people are ecstatic about Rogaine's results. Mark Dressel, a 28-year-old Philadelphia assistant advertising account executive, has achieved what he called maximum hair regrowth with Rogaine. "Rogaine has given me results beyond what I expected," says Dressel. "I started using it just to keep the hair I had, but after 8 1/2 months I have substantially more hair that's grown in."

Dermatologists however haven't really warmed up to it. "In general, I haven't been very impressed with Rogaine," says Dr. James Stroud, a dermatologist on staff at Providence Hospital in Southfield. "It's good for retardation of the shedding process, but of the 500 patients I've treated with it, only about 10 percent achieved cosmetically acceptable regrowth. But it is very, very safe."

Still Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc. feels it's claims that, "Rogaine Extra Strength regrows hair or stops hair loss in 4 out of 5 men," will keep sales high. That's what their advertising stresses, and with the number of reorders we have seen they appear to be right.

The drug was originally tested in the early 1980s as a treatment for hypertension, says Pharmacia & Upjohn spokesman John Ruane. Researchers noticed that some of those taking the drug (which included Rogaine's active ingredient, 2 percent minoxidil) experienced unusual hair growth. Rogaine was born. "We're not exactly sure how it works," admits Ruane. "But it's an amazing, complicated product."

One milliliter (ml) of Rogaine -- about the amount in a small medicine dropper -- is applied to the affected areas of the scalp using an applicator twice daily. If people respond, results are usually seen after four to six months. Users must keep the scalp dry for four hours after application.

Says Ferrara: "It may have something to do with the fact that minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp. But it's probably some as yet unexplained ingredient or combination of ingredients."

While it is the first US Food and Drug Administration approved medication of its kind, Rogaine doesn't work for all types of hair loss. Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc., the manufacturer and marketer of the drug, emphasizes that Rogaine is only for patients with common hereditary hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, along the center line of the scalp.

The package cautions that the amount of regrowth is different for each person, and that Rogaine "will not work for everyone." The company's studies claim that after four months of treatment with the original 2 pecent solution, 26 percent of men reported moderate to dense regrowth. Only 19 percent of women reported the same in a separate clinical trial. Optimum results were achieved after a year of applications. Those men using the newer 5 percent "extra strength" version saw results which were faster and more dramatic.

In 1997 Pharmacia & Upjohn presented results from clinical studies to the FDA's Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee and the Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee showing that Rogaine Extra Strength for Men will grow up to 46% more hair for men than regular strength Rogaine, with the onset of hair regrowth occurring at eight weeks compared to the regular strength Rogaine which begins regrowing hair at 16 weeks. The two advisory committees concluded that while Rogaine Extra Strength for Men may, in fact, be used by some women, its availability in the marketplace would not pose a health risk for them.

The main side effect of Rogaine Extra Strength for Men, irritation of the scalp, was reported by some patients in clinical studies. Irritation of the scalp (itching and dryness) is the most common side effect associated with regular strength Rogaine as well.

Outside the United States, Rogaine Extra Strength for Men is marketed to both men and women under the brand name Regaine in 14 countries, including two countries as a non-prescription product. The first country to receive approval was New Zealand in 1993. Pharmacia & Upjohn researchers are continuing work with the FDA on the Rogaine Extra Strength product for women, targeting it for over-the-counter clearance in the near future.

A 60-ml bottle -- one month's supply -- of Rogaine Extra Strength retails for half the prescription cost of it's 2 percent predecessor. Insurance generally does not cover Rogaine because it is a cosmetic enhancement. Pharmacia & Upjohn says the price has been cut because the company wants to make Rogaine available to a wider consumer base.

Do you qualify?

Is Rogaine for you?

You should not use Rogaine if:

• You have no family history of hair loss.
• Your hair loss is sudden and/or patchy.
• Your scalp is red, inflamed, infected, irritated, or painful.
• You do not kow the reason for your hair loss.
• You are younger than 18. Also, do not use Rogaine on babies or children.
• You use other topical prescription products on the scalp.
• Your hair loss is associated with pregnancy, childbirth or serious underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disorders, or lupus.

If you are unsure you qualify for Rogaine use, consult your doctor. Use your head!

You have four ways by which you may order from us. We are accepting orders by SSL secure server, e-mail, regular mail, and telephone at this time. We have already filled orders for clients in Australia, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK, and many other countries. We would be pleased to add your name to our growing list of clients.