Minoxidil

Generic name: Minoxidil
Brand names: Loniten
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg; 2.5 mg)
Drug class: Vasodilators

Usage of Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a vasodilator that relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Minoxidil is used to treat severely high blood pressure (hypertension) that is causing symptoms or damaging your vital organs. Minoxidil is usually given together with two other medicines to help prevent serious side effects.

Minoxidil tablets should not be used to promote scalp hair growth. Only the topical form of minoxidil (Rogaine) is recommended for that use.

Minoxidil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Minoxidil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Minoxidil may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

new or worsening chest pain;

chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder;

fast or pounding heartbeats;

swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet;

rapid weight gain, especially in your face and midsection;

shortness of breath;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

fluid build-up in the lungs--pain when you breathe, feeling short of breath while lying down, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus; or

severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of minoxidil may include:

changes in color, length, or thickness of body or facial hair;

nausea, vomiting;

rash; or

breast pain or tenderness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Minoxidil

You should not use minoxidil if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

To make sure minoxidil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

congestive heart failure;

angina (chest pain), or if you have recently had a heart attack;

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);

asthma;

migraine headaches; or

epilepsy or other seizure disorder.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. However, a newborn baby could have excessive hair growth if the mother has taken minoxidil during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Minoxidil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

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How to use Minoxidil

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use minoxidil in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

While taking minoxidil, you will need to measure your heart rate by checking your pulse. Your doctor or nurse can show you how to check your pulse.

Weigh yourself each day while you are taking minoxidil. Call your doctor if you gain more than 5 pounds quickly.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your heart function may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Store minoxidil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Warnings

You should not use minoxidil if you have pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor).

Minoxidil is usually given together with two other medicines to help prevent serious side effects. Use all medications as directed by your doctor.

Call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening chest pain, shortness of breath (even while lying down), pain when you breathe, or fast heartbeats.

What other drugs will affect Minoxidil

Other drugs may interact with minoxidil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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