Important safety information
ORAL MINOXIDIL MAY CAUSE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS THAT IMPACT THE HEART, INCLUDING PERICARDIAL EFFUSION AND TAMPONADE. WHEN TESTED ON ANIMALS, MINOXIDIL CAUSED LESIONS OF THE HEART AS WELL AS OTHER ADVERSE HEART EFFECTS
Side Effects & Risks:
Oral minoxidil has a black boxed warning for serious cardiac events.
- Minoxidil may cause pericardial effusion, the accumulation of fluid in the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium). This may progress to tamponade and angina pectoris
- When tested on animals, minoxidil caused lesions of the heart as well as other adverse heart effects.
Oral minoxidil may also contribute the following:
- Pleural effusion, the accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity
- Hypotension or blood pressure that is lower than normal. This may also result in lightheadedness
- Hypertrichosis, or increased hair growth on the face or body
- Lower extremity edema (fluid retention) or the swelling of the legs, ankles and/or feet
- Palpitations or tachycardia
- Headaches
- Swelling around the eyes
- Insomnia
- Nausea
If you experience any of the above side effects, contact your provider in order to cease treatment or adjust your dose.
Minoxidil may also cause changes to your EKG; tell your doctor prior to an EKG if you are taking oral minoxidil.
Contraindications:
Do not use oral minoxidil if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a cardiac history of CHF, hypotension (below 90/60), pulmonary hypertension, kidney or liver disease
- You are taking blood pressure medications for hypertensions
- You have experienced dizziness or fainting that occurs upon standing after sitting or lying down
- You have experienced a sudden onset of muscularity, a deepening of the voice, enlargement of the clitoris or excessive hair growth on the face and body
- You have frontal fibrosing alopecia: If hairline is pushing back (or eyebrow hair loss or skin-colored bumps in the eyebrows, sometimes with associated eyebrow hair loss) with symptoms (itching, burning, dry skin around hair follicle, stinging, erythema)
- You have Alopecia areata
- You have Lichen planopilaris
- You have Ludwig stage II-2 and above
- You have history of pheochromocytoma, a tumor in the adrenal gland
- You have a known allergic reaction to minoxidil
Check with your physician to determine if oral minoxidil is right for you. Withholding or providing inaccurate information about your health and medical history in order to obtain treatment may result in harm, including, in some cases, death.
Drug Interactions
Oral minoxidil has certain drug interactions. It’s important to tell your provider of all the medications you are currently taking, including prescription, over the counter medications, vitamins, and herbal or dietary supplements.
Some medications to what out for include:
- Guanethidine should be discontinued before starting treatment
Seek emergency medical care if you experience any of these side effects:
- Salt and water retention
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- New or worsening chest, arm or shoulder paid
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting
- Sudden changes to your vision or hearing
- Very severe heartburn or signs of indigestion
- A sudden or too large of a drop in blood pressure
This information is not comprehensive. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. You may report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch. Please see the full Prescribing Information for complete safety information.
Oral Minoxidil
A once-a-day minoxidil tablet. While topical minoxidil is FDA-approved to treat hair loss and is available without a prescription, FDA has not approved oral minoxidil for hair loss. Use is considered "off-label" and requires a prescription. Learn more about off-label treatment
A once-a-day minoxidil tablet. While topical minoxidil is FDA-approved to treat hair loss and is available without a prescription, FDA has not approved oral minoxidil for hair loss. Use is considered "off-label" and requires a prescription. Learn more about off-label treatment
Minoxidil is commonly used as an ingredient in topical hair growth products. Minoxidil stimulates the flow of blood rich with nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. This increased circulation prolongs the growth of current hair, shortens the resting time of follicles, and increases the size of follicles, helping them grow terminal rather than miniaturized hairs.
Minoxidil is commonly used as an ingredient in topical hair growth products. Minoxidil stimulates the flow of blood rich with nutrients and oxygen to hair follicles. This increased circulation prolongs the growth of current hair, shortens the resting time of follicles, and increases the size of follicles, helping them grow terminal rather than miniaturized hairs.
Minoxidil takes a few months to produce noticeable results to your crown and hairline. Results are usually seen within 6 months but can be seen as early as 3 months. Shedding of hair is common in the first two to eight weeks of treatment. This is likely due to hair follicles releasing hair that is no longer growing in order to start up new growth. In order to maintain the results you achieve, you will have to continue to take this medication indefinitely.
Minoxidil takes a few months to produce noticeable results to your crown and hairline. Results are usually seen within 6 months but can be seen as early as 3 months. Shedding of hair is common in the first two to eight weeks of treatment. This is likely due to hair follicles releasing hair that is no longer growing in order to start up new growth. In order to maintain the results you achieve, you will have to continue to take this medication indefinitely.
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FAQs
Oral minoxidil shares its active ingredient with topical versions found in over-the-counter hair growth products. Initially used in the 1970s to treat hypertension by enhancing blood flow, it often led to hypertrichosis—excessive hair growth—as a side effect. Unlike FDA-approved topical minoxidil, oral minoxidil is "off-label" and necessitates a prescription. Discover more about off-label treatments.
Minoxidil is commonly used as an ingredient in topical hair growth products. Minoxidil boosts blood flow to hair follicles, extending current hair growth, reducing follicle rest time, and promoting larger follicles for terminal hair growth instead of miniaturized strands.
Oral minoxidil, when used for female pattern hair loss, typically starts showing results within 3-6 months, although some notice changes sooner. Initial hair shedding might occur in the first 2 to 8 weeks as dormant hair is shed to make way for new growth. To sustain results, ongoing use of this medication is necessary. It's essential to maintain regular use as prescribed by your Evernow provider to achieve optimal results. Your provider will monitor your treatment to maximize benefits and minimize any potential side effects.
Dosage of oral minoxidil for female pattern hair loss varies depending on your individual needs. When treating hair loss, oral minoxidil is often prescribed in lower doses - typically, a half tablet of 1.25mg per day. If after six months, you do not see results at this dose, your provider may recommend increasing to a full tablet. If you experience side effects, your provider may recommend reducing your dose or stopping the use of oral minoxidil. It is important to adhere to the prescribed dosage and schedule provided by your Evernow provider.
Oral minoxidil can be effective at addressing symptoms of hair loss including women in perimenopause and menopause. You may prefer oral minoxidil if you want to slow down hair loss and prefer taking a pill over topical treatments. To determine if oral minoxidil is appropriate for you in managing female pattern hair loss, consult with your Evernow provider. They will consider your specific symptoms, medical history, and overall health to help you make an informed decision and discuss potential risks and benefits.
Oral minoxidil, like any medication, can cause side effects and carries certain risks. One of these risks involves hypertrichosis, which is the term for unusual hair growth on other parts of the body. Another potential side effect is lower extremity edema, a condition characterized by the swelling of legs, ankles, and feet. Some women may also experience headaches, palpitations, lightheadedness, and nausea when taking this medication. Do not use any products containing minoxidil if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Consulting your Evernow provider about any concerns or side effects is crucial for appropriate management and evaluation of the treatment's safety. Review important safety information (including a boxed warning).
Do not use any products containing minoxidil if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Consulting your Evernow provider about any concerns or side effects is crucial for appropriate management and evaluation of the treatment's safety. Review important safety information (including a boxed warning).
The FDA approval process requires a rigorous clinical testing process to ensure a drug is safe and effective to treat a particular condition or indication. “Off-label” use is when a provider prescribes an FDA approved drug for an unapproved use (conditions that go beyond its approved indications). Such “off-label” prescribing is legal and commonly practiced. Healthcare providers have the discretion to prescribe drugs off-label if deemed appropriate for a patient based on their medical history, symptoms and preferences.