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Oral Minoxidil
About this medicine
MINOXIDIL (mi - NOX - i - dill) is a prescription pill that has been shown in clinical studies to treat hair loss and increase hair growth. When taken consistently, this medicine can promote hair growth in men with male pattern baldness. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
How to Use
- This is an oral tablet taken by mouth once a day. When initially starting oral minoxidil treatment, break each (2.5 mg) tablet in half and take just one (1.25 mg) dose per day. After six months of treatment, if there are no side effects experienced, your provider may consider increasing your dosage to one full (2.5 mg) tablet per day for enhanced results.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Try to take your doses at the same time everyday to maximize effectiveness.
- Do not take this medicine more often than directed.
- Continued use is necessary to increase and keep your hair regrowth or hair loss will begin again.
- Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Pheochromocytoma
- Currently taking a medication called guanethidine
- Sudden or patchy hair loss
- Unknown reason for hair loss
- An unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil or any components of the medication
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medicine?
Minoxidil tablets are contraindicated in patients who are currently taking guanethidine.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should immediately report to your doctor or health care professional:
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, racing or irregular heartbeat
- New or worsening chest, arm or shoulder pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid weight gain, or swelling in the hands, legs or feet
- There is a rare chance of pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart)
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Unusual hair growth, on the face and/or body
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This medicine must be used on a regular basis for your hair to regrow. It may take 4-6 months of regular use before you notice any improvement. It is important to continue to use this product to maintain regrowth of hair. Once you stop using it, the regrown hair will usually fall out within 1-6 months.
Where should I keep my medicine?
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 59-86 degrees fahrenheit).
- Protect from moisture and keep container tightly closed.
- Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
About this medicine
Oral minoxidil has not been approved by the FDA as safe and effective to treat hair loss and increase hair growth, however recent clinical studies have shown promising results for slowing hair loss, improving regrowth, and increasing total hair counts (1,2). By providing the content on this page, Thirty Madison, Inc. in no way supports or endorses the use of this product for such condition(s). Such determination must be made by a licensed clinician who may prescribe oral minoxidil because in their clinical judgment, use of the product is medically appropriate. This is often referred to as “off label” use of a prescription medication. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
How to Use
- This is an oral tablet taken by mouth once a day. When initially starting oral minoxidil treatment, break each (2.5 mg) tablet in half and take just one (1.25 mg) dose per day. After six months of treatment, if there are no side effects experienced, your provider may consider increasing your dosage to one full (2.5 mg) tablet per day for enhanced results.
- You can take it with or without food.
- Try to take your doses at the same time everyday to maximize effectiveness.
- Do not take this medicine more often than directed.
- Continued use is necessary to increase and keep your hair regrowth or hair loss will begin again.
- Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Pheochromocytoma
- Currently taking a medication called guanethidine
- Sudden or patchy hair loss
- Unknown reason for hair loss
- An unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil or any components of the medication
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medicine?
Minoxidil tablets are contraindicated in patients who are currently taking guanethidine.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should immediately report to your doctor or health care professional:
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, racing or irregular heartbeat
- New or worsening chest, arm or shoulder pain
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid weight gain, or swelling in the hands, legs or feet
- There is a rare chance of pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart)
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Unusual hair growth, on the face and/or body
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
This medicine must be used on a regular basis for your hair to regrow. It may take 4-6 months of regular use before you notice any improvement. It is important to continue to use this product to maintain regrowth of hair. Once you stop using it, the regrown hair will usually fall out within 1-6 months.
Where should I keep my medicine?
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 59-86 degrees fahrenheit).
- Protect from moisture and keep container tightly closed.
- Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Other important information
Medicine may not work
As with almost all medicine, the recommended treatments do not work for every single person. There is a risk the medicine will not work and your hair loss continues. If after more than 4 months your symptoms have not improved, you should consider scheduling an in-person visit with a healthcare provider.
Inform your healthcare providers
Telemedicine does not replace your primary care physician. It is important to keep your primary care and other healthcare providers, and your pharmacists informed of all medications you are taking, including those in your Keeps treatment plan, as they can interact with other medicines you may be taking.
This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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