Oral Minoxidil 5mg 100s

What is oral Minoxidil used for​​​?

Minoxidil in its oral form was initially developed for hypertension. However, its unexpected side effect of stimulating hair growth led to its repurposing as a hair loss treatment, also known as topical Minoxidil (common brands include: Regro and Growell). 

Low-dose oral Minoxidil treats hair loss by dilating blood vessels, increasing blood flow, and promoting hair follicle stimulation, which can lead to hair growth. Oral Minoxidil is suitable for the treatment of both male and female pattern hair loss.

Oral Minoxidil may be a suitable option for those who cannot tolerate or are unable to see satisfactory results from topical Minoxidil. 

​When is oral Minoxidil given for hair loss?

Oral Minoxidil can be considered for hair loss if :

• Patients experience irritation from topical Minoxidil.
• There is a lack of any benefit from topical Minoxidil after 6 months of diligent use.
• Topical Minoxidil causes poor hair texture – sometimes topical Minoxidil can cause dry, tangled hair prone to breakage.
• There are other difficulties using topical Minoxidil – and this causes compliance problems.

​How is oral Minoxidil different from topical Minoxidil?

Convenience - as a pill that's ingested once daily, oral Minoxidil reduces the need to conscientiously apply topical Minoxidil twice daily, which some patients may find troublesome.

Zero Residue - oral Minoxidil does not stain bedding or clothing as with topical Minoxidil.

Even Coverage - In cases where larger areas are involved, some areas may be missed out when applying topical Minoxidil. Oral Minoxidil reduces such occurrences as it allows for more widespread follicular accumulation.

​How effective is oral Minoxidil for hair loss?

Oral Minoxidil is considered off-label for the treatment of hair loss but its favourable use for hair loss treatment has been documented in multiple small clinical studies:

1. In a clinical study involving 18 subjects, 33% of patients reported decreased hair shedding and 28% reported increased scalp hair after 6 months of consuming 1.25mg/day oral MInoxidil.
2. Among 30 male subjects, there was a significant increase in total hair counts from baseline at weeks 12 and 24. Photographic assessment of the vertex area by an expert panel revealed 100% improvement, of which 43% of patients showed excellent/ remarkable improvement.

However, results from Minoxidil typically aren’t immediate. It usually takes 3 to 4 months before any results are visible, with the “final” results from Minoxidil visible after about 6 months to 1 year of consistent use.

During the first 3 to 4 months of treatment, some may also develop a slight increase in hair loss - this is a phenomenon known as Minoxidil shedding. If you start to experience hair shedding after you start using Minoxidil either on its own or with Finasteride, it’s important to stay the course as this is a temporary phenomenon. After 3 to 4 months, you should begin to notice real improvements in your hair density and general hair growth.

Dosage and How to Use​

• This medication may be taken with or without food.
• If you experience stomach upset, take the medication with food.
• Do not take more than once a day.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of oral Minoxidil?

While side effects are uncommon at the low doses used to treat hair loss, some potential side effects may include:

• Excessive hair (Hypertrichosis) - excess hair growth elsewhere on the face and body.
• Temporary shedding - common on initiation. It is important to note that this is a temporary phase that should go away on its own after continuous usage of at least 4-6 weeks.
• Low blood pressure and feeling lightheaded.
• Swollen ankle/ lower limbs - elevating your legs for 10-15 minutes a day can help alleviate this
• Fast heart rate - however this is very uncommon at low doses used for hair loss treatment.
• Headaches.

These side effects may be temporary and reversible. If they are persistent and become bothersome, please discuss it with your doctor.

What precautions should I take?

Individuals with certain medical conditions are not good candidates for oral Minoxidil. Some conditions include those with:

• a history of arrhythmia,
• a significant cardiac condition, and/ or
• chronic kidney or chronic liver disease.

It is therefore crucial to discuss your medical history with a doctor before considering this treatment. 

What other medications and foods should I avoid when taking oral Minoxidil?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications, or herbal remedies.

Handling and storage

• Keep away from children
• Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
• To dispose this medication safely, pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

The above information answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

References

https://www.aad.org/dw/dw-insights-and-inquiries/archive/2022/low-dose-oral-minoxidil-alopecia

https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(20)32109-5/fulltext

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32970299/