Hims Hair Loss Side Effects: What Each Product's Label Says
Hims hair loss side effects by ingredient: finasteride pills, the topical finasteride spray, minoxidil serum and foam and minoxidil chews, per FDA labels.
By Julian Caraulani · Last updated
Hair lossReviewed by Dr. A. Goher, MBBS
- FDA-approved and compounded
- LegitScript seal ID shown
- No state list published
Hims sells finasteride, minoxidil and mixes of the two in pills, chews and sprays. We do not judge which is right for you. We set out what each label and the FDA say, in plain words, so you can talk to the provider with the facts in hand.
Which ingredients are in Hims hair products?
| Hims product | Main ingredients, per Hims | FDA status |
|---|---|---|
| Finasteride | Finasteride pill | FDA-approved for male pattern hair loss |
| Minoxidil Serum and Minoxidil Foam | Topical minoxidil | Over the counter, FDA-approved |
| Rx Hair Loss Spray | Finasteride and minoxidil, applied to the scalp | Compounded, not FDA-approved |
| Spray + Ketoconazole + Biotin | Finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, biotin | Compounded, not FDA-approved |
| Finasteride & Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Pill or Chew | Finasteride and minoxidil, taken by mouth | Compounded, not FDA-approved |
| Minoxidil + Supplement Blend Chew | Minoxidil, taken by mouth | Compounded, not FDA-approved |
Ingredients are from the Hims hair loss page, read 2026-11-14. Hims says: "Hair Hybrids are compounded products. FDA does not approve nor verify the safety, effectiveness, or quality of compounded drugs."
Finasteride pill side effects
Finasteride lowers DHT, a hormone that shrinks hair roots in male pattern hair loss. The Propecia label lists the most common side effects as "decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorder" (DailyMed: Propecia label, read 14 November 2026). In plain words: lower sex drive, trouble with erections and less semen.
How common are they? In the first-year trials on the label, each happened in under 2% of men on finasteride. Men on a dummy pill reported them too, at a slightly lower rate. Hims puts it the same way: sexual side effects "have been reported in 1–2% of men" (Hims hair loss page, read 14 November 2026).
- FDA-approved and compounded
- LegitScript seal ID shown
- No state list published
Side effects after stopping finasteride
The label also lists reports from after the drug came to market. These include "sexual dysfunction that continued after discontinuation of treatment, including erectile dysfunction, libido disorders, ejaculation disorders, and orgasm disorders" (DailyMed: Propecia label, read 14 November 2026). The same list names "depression, suicidal ideation and behavior", which means thoughts of self-harm.
Reports like these do not prove the drug caused each case. They are on the label so men and prescribers know about them. If your mood changes, tell the provider straight away. Our finasteride side effects guide covers these reports in more depth.
Other finasteride label warnings
Finasteride also lowers PSA, a blood test used to screen for prostate cancer. The label says: "Any confirmed increase in PSA while on PROPECIA may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated" (DailyMed: Propecia label, read 14 November 2026). Tell any doctor who orders a PSA test that you take it.
The label also says "Women should not handle crushed or broken PROPECIA tablets when they are pregnant or may potentially be pregnant". That is because of a possible risk to a male baby.
Hims hair spray side effects (topical finasteride)
The Hims spray puts finasteride and minoxidil on the scalp. Hims says: "For topical finasteride, skin, sexual, or psychological-related side effects are possible." It adds: "there's an increased risk of unintended exposure of the medication to others; avoid if pregnant or trying." (Hims hair loss page, read 14 November 2026). So keep partners and children away from treated skin until it dries.
The FDA reviewed reports on compounded topical finasteride as a class. It says the reports "describe adverse events that are consistent with those reported in association with the approved oral finasteride products, such as erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, brain fog, depression, fatigue, insomnia, decreased libido and testicular pain" (FDA alert on compounded topical finasteride, read 14 November 2026). In plain words, the side effects reported with the spray look like the pill's. The FDA also notes "Currently, there is no FDA-approved topical formulation of finasteride." That alert is not about any one seller.
Minoxidil serum and foam side effects
Topical minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine. The most common problem is the scalp. Hims says "some men experience scalp irritation after applying minoxidil" (Hims minoxidil page, read 14 November 2026).
The approved Rogaine foam label lists when to stop. It says: "Stop use and ask a doctor if chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness, or dizziness occurs" (DailyMed: Men's Rogaine foam label, read 14 November 2026). The same list includes sudden weight gain, swollen hands or feet, "scalp irritation or redness occurs" and "unwanted facial hair growth occurs".
Some men also shed more hair in the first weeks. Our minoxidil shedding timeline explains why. Other drugs can cause shedding too; see our medications that cause hair loss guide.
Minoxidil chew side effects (oral minoxidil)
The Hims minoxidil chews put minoxidil in your body by mouth, not on the scalp. Minoxidil tablets are approved only as a blood pressure drug, so hair loss is an off-label use, meaning a use the drug is not approved for. The tablet label carries the FDA's strongest warning. It says: "It can cause pericardial effusion, occasionally progressing to tamponade" (DailyMed: minoxidil tablets label, read 14 November 2026). In plain words, fluid can build up around the heart.
That label covers the higher amounts used for blood pressure. Hair loss mixes use less, and the chews are compounded. Still, tell the provider about any heart problem or blood pressure medicine before you start.
Ketoconazole and biotin in the Hims spray
One Hims spray adds ketoconazole and biotin. Ketoconazole is an antifungal found in many dandruff shampoos. Biotin is a B vitamin. Hims lists them as add-ins, not as the main hair medicine. If you get blood tests, mention biotin to the lab. The FDA says biotin "can significantly interfere with certain lab tests and cause incorrect test results which may go undetected" (FDA: biotin interference with lab tests, read 14 November 2026).
How to lower the risk
- Tell the Hims provider every medicine you take, including heart and blood pressure drugs.
- Ask whether your product is FDA-approved or compounded.
- Report any new side effect in the app. Hims says it offers "unlimited access to licensed providers so that you can ask questions and adjust your medication at any time."
- Do not stop and start without telling the provider. Hair loss treatment only works while you use it.
What each product costs is on our Hims hair loss cost guide and the Hims hair review. Every hair loss program we track is in hair loss cost by program.
Questions
FAQ
hims hair loss side effects
Hims hair loss side effects depend on the ingredient. Finasteride pills can lower sex drive or cause erection or semen changes in a small share of men, per the Propecia label. Minoxidil serum and foam can irritate the scalp. The compounded spray has no FDA label, and the FDA says reports with it resemble the pill's.
What are the Hims hair growth side effects?
Hims hair growth products use finasteride, minoxidil or both. The FDA labels list sexual side effects and mood changes for finasteride, and scalp irritation, unwanted facial hair, dizziness and a fast heartbeat for topical minoxidil. Minoxidil taken by mouth carries a heart warning on the tablet label.
What are the Hims hair spray side effects?
Hims says topical finasteride can cause skin, sexual or mood side effects. The FDA says reports on compounded topical finasteride describe effects like the pill's, including erection problems, low sex drive, anxiety and depression. Hims also warns that the spray can rub off on others, so avoid contact if a partner is pregnant.
Is the Hims spray safer than finasteride pills?
Nobody can say yet from FDA review. The spray is compounded, so the FDA has not reviewed its safety or how well it works. The FDA alert on compounded topical finasteride says reported side effects look like those of the approved pill. Ask the provider about the evidence for each.
Do Hims finasteride side effects go away?
For most men in the label's trials, side effects eased or stopped. The label also lists reports of sexual problems that continued after men stopped the drug, and reports of depression. These reports do not prove cause. Tell the provider about any side effect that does not ease.
Does Hims minoxidil serum cause side effects?
Scalp irritation is the most common. The Rogaine foam label, for the same ingredient, says to stop and ask a doctor for chest pain, a fast heartbeat, faintness, dizziness, sudden weight gain, swollen hands or feet, scalp redness or unwanted facial hair. Results also take at least 4 months. To compare what each program charges, open hair loss cost by program or our best hair loss programs.
Check this page with an AI assistant:ChatGPTPerplexityClaude
Not affiliated with OpenAI, Perplexity or Anthropic.