Home Symptoms Hair loss

Hair loss — what to take?

Losing 50-100 hairs per day is normal. Beyond this rate — alopecia. Causes: androgenetic, telogen (stress, postpartum, diet), areata (autoimmune), scarring.

Also known as: alopecia hair loss thinning hair baldness
5 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: Losing 50–100 hairs a day is normal; beyond that threshold it counts as hair loss. The over-the-counter options depend on the cause: topical minoxidil for androgenetic thinning; biotin, L-cystine with B vitamins or saw palmetto for fragile hair; and iron when there is a deficiency. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet, with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation; see a doctor if your scalp turns red, itching or pain appears, or the loss is sudden and massive.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for hair loss

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Alopecia with erythema, itching, pain (suspected inflammation/infection)
  • Scarring alopecia (no follicular openings)
  • Sudden massive shedding
  • Systemic symptoms (fatigue, weight loss)
  • Alopecia in children

Common types

Androgenetic (male/female pattern baldness) — the most common, genetic. In men: frontal hairline + vertex. In women: diffuse thinning in the central area.

Telogen effluvium — diffuse, temporary shedding, occurring 2-3 months after a stressor (illness, surgery, postpartum, restrictive diet). It resolves within 6-12 months.

Areata — circular patches of alopecia, autoimmune.

Scarring — irreversible destruction of the follicles.

OTC treatment and supplements

Topical minoxidil 2-5% (Rogaine, Regaine) — effective for androgenetic alopecia, 50-60% response at 3-6 months. It is used continuously (stopping = the shedding returns).

Supplements:

  • Biotin (vitamin B7) 2.5-5 mg — useful in confirmed deficiency.
  • Iron — if ferritin is below 40 ng/ml.
  • Zinc, selenium — in deficiency.
  • Vitamin D.
  • Complex with L-cystine + B vitamins (Pantogar).
  • Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) — natural 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, moderate evidence.

Anti-hair-loss shampoos — with ketoconazole, caffeine, saw palmetto.

Rx treatment

Finasteride 1 mg (Propecia, Finpros) — in men with androgenetic alopecia, 60-80% response. Dutasteride. In women — spironolactone, anti-androgenic contraceptives. Hair transplant for advanced alopecia.

Medical evaluation

  • Tests: TSH, ferritin, iron, vitamin D, B12, complete blood count.
  • Dermatology consultation with a dermatoscope.
  • Skin biopsy in unclear cases.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for hair loss

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for hair loss

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for hair loss

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For hair loss most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for hair loss runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Oboseală

Oboseala e lipsă persistentă de energie, peste ce e normal după efort. Cauzele variază de la lipsă de somn la anemie, hipotiroidie, diabet, depresie, boli cronice.

 Symptom

Stres

Stresul e răspunsul fiziologic la solicitări. Cronic — afectează imunitatea, cardiovascular, somn, digestie, sănătate mentală.

 Symptom

Mătreață

Mătreața = descuamarea excesivă a scalpului, cu mâncărime variabilă. Cauză: Malassezia + seboree + factori individuali. Formă ușoară a dermatitei seboreice.

 Condition

Hipotiroidism

Hipotiroidismul = deficit de hormoni tiroidieni. Cauza principală — tiroidita autoimună Hashimoto. Simptome: oboseală, îngrășare, constipație, piele uscată, depresie, bradicardie.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

Does minoxidil work?
Yes, in 50-60% of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Effect visible after 3-6 months. It must be continued permanently.
Does biotin really help?
Only in confirmed deficiency (rare). Self-medication is not useful if you do not have a deficiency. With normal prior levels — no demonstrated effect.
Why does hair fall out after childbirth?
Postpartum telogen effluvium — due to the sudden drop in estrogen levels. It resolves spontaneously within 6-12 months.
Does stress really make hair fall out?
Yes — telogen effluvium appears 2-3 months after major stress (illness, surgery, bereavement). Transient, reversible.

See also

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