Minoxidil from Kruidvat or Kirkland? 6 differences in price per month, dosage and package leaflet

At Kruidvat you will find minoxidil under the name Minoxidil Xiromed, and other drugstores and web shops also sell this product. The 50 mg/ml version contains the same active ingredient in the same strength (5%) as Kirkland Minoxidil 5%, with the same excipients: alcohol, propylene glycol and water.^[1][3] The difference is not in the active ingredient, but in the price per month, the packaging, the language of the label and the method of dosing. For one bottle to try you pay about 30 euros for both. Because you have to use minoxidil for at least 4 months before you can judge anything,^[2] a multiple pack per month is a lot cheaper. Below we list the 6 differences honestly, including the points on which the drugstore scores better.

In this article

• What kind of minoxidil do you buy at the drugstore?
• Do Xiromed and Kirkland work the same?
• What does minoxidil cost per month?
• Pump or pipette: what is the dosage? easier?
• What 6 differences are there?
• Kruidvat or Kirkland: which suits you?
• What do you pay attention to before you start?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What kind of minoxidil do you buy at the drugstore?

Minoxidil on the skin is available without a prescription in the Netherlands.^[2] Kruidvat has two strengths of Xiromed in its range: 20 mg/ml (2%) and 50 mg/ml (5%).^[6] Both are in a 60 ml bottle with a pump.^[5]

The 5% version is according to the leaflet intended for male pattern hair loss, in men aged 18 to 65. Women are not allowed to use this strength.^[1] Xiromed has a Dutch registration (RVG 118105) and a Dutch package leaflet, which you can also read online.^[1]

Kirkland Minoxidil 5% comes from the United States. It is sold in 60 ml bottles with a pipette and has an English label.^[3] This product is also intended for men aged 18 and over and not for women.^[3]

Do Xiromed and Kirkland work the same?

On paper, yes. Both contain 50 mg minoxidil per ml and the same three excipients.^[1][3] The usage advice is also the same: 1 ml, twice a day, on the dry scalp where the hair is thinning. Applying more or more often does not give better results.^[3]

The expectations are also the same. Apotheek.nl mentions that minoxidil starts working after about 4 months and has its maximum effect after about a year. If you do not see any new hair growth after 6 months, there is no point in continuing.^[2] If you stop, the hair loss may return within 3 to 4 months.^[1] Minoxidil does not work for everyone, no matter which brand you choose. You can read more about what you can expect per month in our timeline of minoxidil results.

What does minoxidil cost per month?

At 2 ml per day, a 60 ml bottle will last you about a month. The price per bottle is therefore approximately the price per month. Drugstore prices vary per store and per promotion; the table uses a price we found online in October 2026.

If you only want to try one month, it will cost about the same at the drugstore and at Kirkland. The difference arises with longer use: over 6 months you will pay around 180 euros with individual drugstore bottles, and €109.99 with the Kirkland 6-month package. In our comparison Kirkland or Regaine you can see how this works out compared to the most famous brand.

Lowest price per month

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% 6 Months For Men

Six bottles of 60 ml, enough to cover the first 4 to 6 months can be properly assessed for months.

€109,99View the package →

Pump or pipette: which is easier to dose?

Xiromed has a pump: 10 sprays is 1 ml.^[1] That's handy on the road and you don't have to read it. You have to count carefully, and the mist easily ends up on your hair instead of on your scalp.

Kirkland uses a pipette with which you measure 1 ml.^[3] You see exactly how much you take and apply the liquid specifically to the thin spots, for example in a parting. The downside: Drops can run down your forehead if you apply too much at once. If you suffer from itching or a dry scalp, foam is an alternative. You can read the difference in minoxidil foam or lotion.

What 6 differences are there?

The table shows Kirkland (6-month package) and Xiromed from the drugstore next to each other. We recommend the Kirkland package for those who want to use minoxidil for longer, because the price per month is lower. The drugstore scores better on two points, and that is also stated in it.

The excipients are the same for both: alcohol and propylene glycol. These two can cause itching or dry scalp in some people. Switching from one to the other does not solve this; foam or a variant with less alcohol makes more sense. You can use an opened bottle of Xiromed within 30 days.^[4]

Kruidvat or Kirkland: which suits you?

The choice mainly depends on how long you want to last and what you find important.

• You first want to try for 1 month: a single bottle is about the same price at the drugstore and at Kirkland. Choose what is easiest.
• You go for 6 months or longer: a Kirkland multi-pack is clearly cheaper per month, and with the money-back guarantee you run less risk if it does not work for you.
• You want a Dutch package leaflet: then Xiromed from the drugstore is the logical choice. You can also read the Dutch package leaflet online, which is useful in addition to any 5% product.
• You are prone to itching: consider foam instead of lotion.
• You are a woman: do not use 5% lotion for men. Choose a 2% product, such as Xiromed 20 mg/ml (around €19 per bottle^[5]) or a 2% lotion or foam for women.

Try first

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% 1 Month For Men

One bottle with pipette to discover if the lotion suits your routine.

€29,99View the lotion →

For itching or dry scalp

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% 3 Months For Men

Same strength as foam, which dries faster and does not spread.

€84,99View the foam →

For women

Foligain Lotion 2% 3 Months For Women

Minoxidil 2% for women with thinning hair, three bottles.

€64,99View the 2% lotion →

What should you look for before you start?

Whichever bottle you buy, the rules are the same:

• Do not use if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, and not under the age of 18.^[1]
• If you have cardiovascular disease, consult your doctor first.^[2]
• Stop and contact a doctor if you have chest pain, a fast heartbeat, fainting, dizziness, sudden weight gain or swollen hands or feet.^[3]
• Are your hair falling out suddenly or in spots, or is your scalp red or painful? or inflamed? Then minoxidil is not the right step. See your doctor first.^[3]
• Do not let children come into contact with the areas where you have applied minoxidil, and never swallow it.^[1]
• Your skin may become more sensitive to the sun: avoid bright sun and the tanning bed.^[2]

Headache is a common side effect, and itching or dry scalp also occur.^[1][2] Always read the package leaflet or label before you start.

Frequently asked questions

Is minoxidil from Kruidvat the same as Kirkland?

Minoxidil Xiromed 50 mg/ml contains the same active substance in the same strength (5%) and the same excipients as Kirkland Minoxidil 5%. The usage advice is also the same: 1 ml, twice a day. The differences are in price, packaging, language and dosage.

Do you need a prescription for minoxidil?

No. Minoxidil for the skin is available without a prescription in the Netherlands, at the drugstore, the pharmacy and online.

How long does a 60 ml bottle last?

For 1 ml twice a day, you use 2 ml per day. A 60 ml bottle is empty after about a month.

Can women use minoxidil 5% from the drugstore?

No. According to the package leaflet, Xiromed 50 mg/ml is not intended for women. Women choose a 2% product and, if in doubt, consult their GP or pharmacist.

Can you switch from Xiromed to Kirkland?

Yes, you can do so without a break, because the strength and usage advice are the same. Just continue with 1 ml twice a day. Stopping minoxidil is a different matter: the hair loss may return within 3 to 4 months.

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of October 2026.

Sources

1. Medicine Evaluation Board, Package leaflet Minoxidil Xiromed 50 mg/ml solution for cutaneous use (RVG 118105)
2. Apotheek.nl, Minoxidil on the skin
3. Drugs.com, Men's Kirkland Minoxidil Extra Strength: label and usage information (English)
4. bol.com, Minoxidil Xiromed 50 mg/ml, 1 x 60 ml (price consulted October 2026)
5. Superfoodstore, Xiromed Minoxidil 20 mg/ml solution, 60 ml (price consulted October 2026)
6. Kruidvat, Minoxidil Xiromed 50 mg/ml solution and Minoxidil Xiromed 20 mg/ml solution