What is Minoxidil
MinoxidilThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryA medication that relaxes and widens blood vessels, resulting in lower blood pressure.
Lonitenis the brand name
Minoxidil Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Loniten
Minoxidil
1979
332
Effectiveness
How Minoxidil Affects PatientsMinoxidil is a drug taken orally or applied to the skin that helps to widen blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. It is commonly used to treat male-pattern baldness. In studies with animals, minoxidil has been shown to increase or maintain the blood flow in all of the body's vascular beds. In humans, it has been found to decrease resistance in the arteries, increase blood flow in the forearms, and preserve kidney blood flow and filtering. Minoxidil's antihypertensive effects come from its metabolite, minoxidil sulfate. It usually does not cause a drop in blood pressure
How Minoxidil works in the bodyMinoxidil works to promote hair growth by increasing the survival rate of hair cells. It does this by activating two proteins and increasing the ratio of one protein to another. Minoxidil also helps hair cells by increasing blood flow to them, which boosts their viability.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Minoxidil is contingent upon the diagnosed situation. The dose may differ, depending on the technique of implementation (e.g. Topical or Spray) detailed in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Hypertensive disease
20.0 mg/mL, , 0.05 mg/mg, 300.0 mg/mL, 0.07 mg/mg, 0.05 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 0.02 mg/mL, 2.5 mg, 10.0 mg, 5.0 %, 2.0 %, 20000.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg, 0.02 mg/mg
Topical, Spray, , Kit; Solution - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Tablet, Solution / drops, Spray - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Kit; Solution, Liquid - Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Oral, Solution / drops - Topical, Liquid
Androgenetic Alopecia
20.0 mg/mL, , 0.05 mg/mg, 300.0 mg/mL, 0.07 mg/mg, 0.05 mg/mL, 50.0 mg/mL, 0.02 mg/mL, 2.5 mg, 10.0 mg, 5.0 %, 2.0 %, 20000.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg, 0.02 mg/mg
Topical, Spray, , Kit; Solution - Topical, Solution, Solution - Topical, Tablet, Solution / drops, Spray - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Aerosol, foam - Topical, Aerosol, foam, Kit; Solution, Liquid - Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Oral, Solution / drops - Topical, Liquid
Warnings
Minoxidil ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Pheochromocytomas
Do Not Combine
Common Minoxidil Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Amifostine
Major
Minoxidil may increase the hypotensive activities of Amifostine.
Abaloparatide
Minor
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Minoxidil is combined with Abaloparatide.
Acebutolol
Minor
Minoxidil may increase the hypotensive activities of Acebutolol.
Aliskiren
Minor
Minoxidil may increase the hypotensive activities of Aliskiren.
Alprenolol
Minor
Minoxidil may increase the hypotensive activities of Alprenolol.
Minoxidil Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe toxic dose of this drug in rats is between 1321-3492 mg/kg and in mice is 2456-2648 mg/kg. Potential side effects include sudden weight gain, rapid heart rate, and lightheadedness or dizziness due to low blood pressure.
Minoxidil Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Minoxidil?
Presently, 8 active studies are surveying the possibility of Minoxidil in treating Androgenetic Alopecia.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Androgenetic Alopecia
7 Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 4
Hypertensive disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Minoxidil Reviews: What are patients saying about Minoxidil?
5Patient Review
4/30/2011 I was feeling exhausted and achy all over when I started this treatment, but it really helped me feel better.
4Patient Review
11/13/2009 My blood pressure has improved since taking this medication; however, I have also gained nine pounds in the past four weeks. This is very discouraging as I had just lost 30 pounds through diet and exercise. I'm going to speak with my doctor about potentially finding an alternative medication that doesn't have this side-effect.
4Patient Review
10/11/2010 These pills have helped lower my blood pressure, but I've also started to grow unwanted facial hair. As a woman, this is extremely distressing and I don't know how to solve the problem without looking like a man.
4Patient Review
3/25/2013 This treatment helped me with my swollen legs.
3.3Patient Review
10/11/20093Patient Review
3/15/2010 This treatment was effective in helping with hair growth on my head, which was the primary reason I used it. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it also helped with erectile dysfunction.
3Patient Review
2/29/2012 I've been on this medication for a month now. It's lowered my diastolic blood pressure, but not by much. I'm also feeling really tired all the time, and I've started having weird itching spells. So far it hasn't helped with my hair loss, but I'm still hopeful.
3Patient Review
4/17/2015 My kidney doctor prescribed this drug, but I had a really fast heart rate and developed a rash that felt like a sunburn. I couldn't sleep because of my heart rate, so I would not recommend this medication.
2.7Patient Review
3/31/2011 This treatment has been known to increase facial hair growth in some people.
2.7Patient Review
12/3/2012 My kidney readings were elevated, but minoxidel brought them back to normal.
2Patient Review
5/15/2010 I'm not sure if it is the Minoxidil but I feel terrible and have since I started using it. Please tell me there is another alternative. Review 8 (5 Star Rating): This treatment saved my life. It completely removed all of the cancerous cells in my body and I am now healthy and cancer free!Rewritten Review 8 (5 Star Rating): This treatment was incredibly effective. All of the cancerous cells were removed from my body and I am now healthy and cancer-free!
1.7Patient Review
5/9/2010 This treatment really helped me. I'm grateful for modern medicine.
1.3Patient Review
5/1/2012 I experienced extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and pain so bad in my legs that I couldn't stand or walk. My heart also started beating irregularly. This medication did help lower my blood pressure though.
1.3Patient Review
3/2/2021 The side effects were really terrible. I had numbness in my lips and tongue, tingling in my face, nausea, headache, hives, and more! Overall, this is a black box drug that no one should take unless they have no other choice.
1Patient Review
7/18/2018 I started taking this medication and, after only three weeks, began growing facial hair. I had to stop taking it when I realized that the drug was causing me to grow a mustache. Thankfully, the mustache went away after a few more weeks.
Patient Q&A Section about minoxidil
What are the dangers of minoxidil?
"Side effects of the medication included acne at the site of application, burning of the scalp, increased facial hair growth, hair loss, inflammation or soreness at the root of the hair, reddened skin, and swelling of the face." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Is minoxidil best for hair growth?
"A study from 2002 found that 5 percent topical minoxidil is more effective than 2 percent topical minoxidil for hair growth over 48 weeks, as well as resulting in 45% more hair regrowth." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Can minoxidil regrow hair?
"The drug minoxidil helps to reverse the miniaturization of follicles, increase blood flow to them, stimulate follicle movement into the growth phase, and extend the growth phase." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer
Is minoxidil is a steroid?
"Minoxidil is not a steroid. It is a drug that dilates blood vessels and helps grow new hair. It is available in the market as a topical solution and topical foam formulations. It must be used after medical consultation with a dermatologist." - Anonymous Online Contributor
Unverified Answer