An antihypertensive vasodilator medication, and over the counter for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, a form of hair loss.
Minoxidil is a medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure and pattern hair loss in males and females.
It t is an antihypertensive vasodilator.
Available as a generic medication in oral tablet form and over the counter as a topical liquid or foam.
Trade name Rogaine.
FDA approved minoxidil, trade name Loniten, in the form of oral tablets to treat high blood pressure.
Pregnancy category US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration-By mouth / topical
Metabolism-primarily hepatic.
It is a prodrug that is converted by sulfation via the sulfotransferase enzyme SULT1A1 to its active form, minoxidil sulfate.
The activity of sulfotransferase in hair follicles predict its response in the treatment of hair loss.
Elimination half-life 4.2 h.
Excretion-renal
Applied topically, it is widely used for the treatment of hair loss.
It is effective in helping promote hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia regardless of sex.
About 40% of men experience hair regrowth after 3–6 months.
Minoxidil must be used indefinitely for continued support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair regrowth.
Applied topically for the treatment of hair loss.
It is effective in helping promote hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia regardless of gender.
Minoxidil must be used indefinitely for continued support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair regrowth.
Its effect in people with alopecia areata is unclear.
Common side effects include burning or irritation of the eye, itching, redness or irritation at the treated area, and unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body.
Exacerbation of hair loss/alopecia has been reported, and allergic reactions may include rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, tachycardia, headache, sudden and unexplained weight gain, or swelling of the hands and feet.
Temporary hair loss is a common side effect.
Some topical preparations may contain alcohol and propylene glycol that can dry the scalp, resulting in dandruff and contact dermatitis.
Side effects of oral minoxidil include: swelling of the face and extremities, rapid and irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, cardiac lesions, and focal necrosis of the papillary muscle and subendocardial areas of the left ventricle.
Side effects
Topically minoxidil side effects include: itching of the eye, itching, redness or irritation at the treated area, and unwanted hair growth elsewhere on the body.
Exacerbation of hair loss/alopecia has been reported: minoxidil-induced hair loss is a common side effect and describe the process as shedding.
Other less common side effects include: rash, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, tachycardia, headache, sudden and unexplained weight gain, or swelling of the hands and feet.
Alcohol and propylene glycol present in topical preparations may dry the scalp, resulting in dandruff and contact dermatitis.
Oral minoxidil side effects of oral minoxidil may include: swelling of the face and extremities, rapid heartbeat, or lightheadedness.
Allergic reactions to minoxidil or the non-active ingredient propylene glycol, which is found in some topical minoxidil formulations have been reported.
Pseudoacromegaly is an extremely rare side effect reported with large doses of oral minoxidil.
Minoxidil may cause hirsutism, although it is exceedingly rare and reversible by discontinuation of the drug.
Up to 15% of patients who use topical minoxidil experience transient hair shedding in the first few months of treatment.
2-5% of women develop unwanted facial hair that resolves with treatment discontinuation.
Allergic reactions to minoxidil or the non-active ingredient propylene glycol, have been reported.
Rarely, it may cause reversible hirsutism.
It is theorized that it is a potassium channel opener that causes hyperpolarization of cell membranes, allowing more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicles.
Minoxidil is an adenosine 5′-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener.
Minoxidil causes hyperpolarization of cell membranes.
It may widen blood vessels and open potassium channels, allowing more oxygen, blood, and nutrients in to the hair follicles.
It contains a nitric oxide moiety and may act as a nitric oxide agonist.
Minoxidil may cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, which are then replaced by thicker hairs in a new anagen phase.
These changes may cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, which are then replaced by thicker hairs in a new anagen phase.
It is less effective when the area of hair loss is large.
Its effectiveness is primarily in younger men who have experienced hair loss for less than 5 years, and is indicated for central hair loss only.