Side effects of oral minoxidil may include swelling of the face and extremities, rapid heartbeat, or lightheadedness. Cardiac lesions, such as focal necrosis of the papillary muscle and subendocardial areas of the left ventricle, have been observed in laboratory animals treated with minoxidil. [7] Pseudoacromegaly is an extremely rare side effect reported with large doses of oral minoxidil. [21]

In non-clinical studies in a variety of species, minoxidil induces several types of cardiac lesions including necrotic and haemorrhagic lesions of the myocardium and papillary muscles, and cardiac hypertrophy and dilation. These changes occur only in the context of profound hypotension and tachycardia and reflect haemodynamic and/or hypoxic stress rather than direct cytotoxicity. As greater experience with the drug has accumulated, it has become apparent that these cardiac lesions do not occur in humans treated with minoxidil. Immediately after using this medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them . Over time, scientists performed further studies to better understand minoxidil’s role in the treatment of hair loss. This eventually led to the FDA approving it against male pattern baldness in 1988. It has been available ever since.Ramos, P. M., Sinclair, R. D., Kasprzak, M. & Miot, H. A. Minoxidil 1 mg oral versus minoxidil 5% topical solution for the treatment of female-pattern hair loss: A randomized clinical trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 2020; 82: 252–253 Jimenez-Cauhe J, Saceda-Corralo D, Rodrigues-Barata R, Moreno-Arrones OM, Ortega-Quijano D, Fernandez-Nieto D, etal. (November 2020). "Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil treatment for hair loss. A systematic review and pooled-analysis of individual patient data". Dermatologic Therapy. 33 (6): e14106. doi: 10.1111/dth.14106. PMID 32757405. S2CID 221017080. Unwanted hair growth outside the scalp (hypertrichosis): 10% strength: 37% of participants – 5% strength: 22% of participants. If you are suffering from very severe hair loss then it is unlikely that Minoxidil will be a viable treatment. You should talk to your GP about your options. Oral minoxidil is mainly used for male and female pattern hair loss. However, there can be benefits for other types of hair loss, too, including telogen effluvium, traction alopecia and loose anagen syndrome. Why would oral Minoxidil work when topical Minoxidil has not worked?

Kolata G (August 18, 2022). "An Old Medicine Grows New Hair for Pennies a Day, Doctors Say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Two studies into Regaine for men, using a 5% solution of minoxidil, were conducted in Germany. Men in both studies applied the solution twice a day. One year-long study of 984 men with hereditary hair loss found the product to be very effective in 15.9% and effective in 47.8% of patients for stimulating hair growth. The only head-to-head study comparing oral minoxidil to topical minoxidil in women with Female Pattern Hair Loss showed that 1mg of minoxidil gave comparable effects to 5% solution (1ml) once a day (Ramos et al. 2020). In this study, 26 women received oral minoxidil and 26 women received topical minoxidil. After 24 weeks of treatment, there was a 12% increase in hair density for women on oral minoxidil and 7.2% increase for women applying topical minoxidil. The difference was not statistically significant, but the oral minoxidil group also had less hair shedding. What are the side effects? COMPOUND SUMMARY Minoxidil". PubChem - National Center for Biotechnology Information . Retrieved September 25, 2022. Before starting treatment parents and carers should be warned of the likely occurrence of hypertrichosis.

A number of in vitro effects of minoxidil have been described in monocultures of various skin and hair follicle cell types including stimulation of cell proliferation, inhibition of collagen synthesis, and stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor, prostaglandin synthesis and leukotriene B4 expression. [28] drug allergy – NB it appears that oral minoxidil is safe if you have reacted to topical minoxidil even if your patch tests shows you react to minoxidil and not to the preservatives sun propylene glycol (Thearinou et al 2020) Minoxidil comes as a lotion, liquid or foam, normally in a strength of 2% or 5%. The higher concentration is usually only recommended for use by men and is labelled by Regaine as Extra Strength for Men. To have any positive effect upon hair loss, minoxidil must be applied at least once a day, every day for as long as treatment is desired. It’s also important to remember that this type of hair loss treatment will not work for everyone. Regaine Extra Strength states in its Patient Information leaflet that it should be used by men aged 18-65, and that it is most likely to be effective in people who fall into the following categories: a b c d Lester W (May 13, 1996). "Hair-raising tale: no fame for men who discovered Rogaine". The Daily Gazette . Retrieved May 11, 2015.