What To Know About Oral Minoxidil For Hair Loss

By Author: Monica Quinn
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For the same reason, minoxidil, a medication often applied topically to treat hair loss, is starting to gain popularity as an oral medication. Even some dermatologists claim that taking the medication orally promotes hair growth more effectively than taking it topically.

The information was revealed in a recent New York Times article that focused on the use of low-dose oral minoxidil pills, a relatively unheard-of hair loss remedy by both patients and physicians.

This type of prescribing is referred to as off-label use. Although minoxidil has received FDA approval for topical hair loss treatment, it has not been approved for use as an oral hair loss treatment. However, the medication is FDA-approved for use in higher doses as an oral treatment for high blood pressure.

This remedy can be found in Rogaine and numerous other foams, lotions, and shampoos designed to stop hair loss.

A vasodilator, or drug that widens blood ...
... vessels, is minoxidil. It was initially used in oral form to treat high blood pressure for this reason. The medication's unanticipated adverse effect, however, was an increase in hair growth, which prompted the FDA to approve its topical formulation.

Although the exact mechanism of topical minoxidil's action is unknown, it is believed to strengthen and promote hair growth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles.

The use of minoxidil orally for hair loss is something to be aware of, and here's how to bring it up with your dermatologist.

Oral Minoxidil Intake for Hair Loss
The negative effects of the high-dose version of the medication, which is used to treat high blood pressure, are what led to the development of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss.

Approximately 80% of patients in Loniten clinical studies developed hypertrichosis, or elongation, thickness, and heightened color of body hair. After starting the procedure, the hair growth would normally appear three to six weeks later.

However, the hair growth was not long-lasting; one to six months after treatment was stopped, the hair growth ceased, and the patients' appearances returned to normal.

Potential Risks of Oral Minoxidil
Oral minoxidil may promote hair growth everywhere since it promotes hair growth. Low doses of oral minoxidil can promote hair growth on your face and other body parts in addition to your head. Leg swelling may also result from it.

Although the drug can be used to treat high blood pressure, it often has little effect when taken in smaller doses, such as those required for hair growth.

On the other hand, if a patient has any cardiac issues or is taking several different blood pressure drugs.

Taking oral minoxidil does not provide a long-term solution for hair loss; if you stop using it, the problem returns. Oral minoxidil's side effects only continue as long as you take the drug. Any hair you have gained as a result of the treatment will likely fall out if you stop the treatment.

Additionally, those who have an allergy to the medicine or who have an uncommon neuroendocrine tumor known as pheochromocytoma should not take oral minoxidil.

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About Oral Minoxidil
Consult your dermatologist if you want to try oral minoxidil. They should be able to advise you on the drug and perhaps suggest other therapies like hair transplant as well.

But be aware that not everyone will find success with it. Oral minoxidil and other oral and topical therapies are less likely to be effective once your hair loss has become chronic, which means that there are shining, smooth places where there is absolutely no hair.

For those who have lost all or most of their hair, the effect is less obvious.

Ideally, you should visit your dermatologist as soon as you start noticing hair loss and as soon as it becomes apparent to others.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)