Minoxidil tabs

Description

Minoxidil is a medication best known for treating hair loss and, originally, high blood pressure.

How it works

Minoxidil:

• Widens blood vessels (vasodilation)
• Improves blood flow to hair follicles
• Prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of hair
• Can “wake up” miniaturized follicles (especially in androgenetic alopecia)

Hair loss use

Commonly used for:

• Male pattern baldness
• Female pattern hair loss

Typical forms:

• 5% foam or solution (most common)
• Applied once or twice daily to the scalp

What to expect:

• Initial shedding phase (normal, usually 2–8 weeks)
• Visible results after 3–6 months
• Needs continuous use — stop using it and regrown hair is usually lost again

Side effects

Topical:

• Scalp irritation, dryness, itching
• Temporary shedding
• Rare: unwanted facial hair if it spreads

Oral (low-dose, off-label):

• Increased heart rate
• Fluid retention
• Lower blood pressure
• Increased body hair growth

Important notes

• It does not block DHT (unlike finasteride)
• Works best on crown/thinning areas, less effective for a completely bald scalp
• FDA-approved for hair loss in topical form