Today, problems related to hair loss and the latest treatment methods to deal with it are considered as an important issue in the field of human health and beauty. One of the effective and well-known drugs in this field is Minoxidil. This chemical compound has many positive effects in increasing hair growth and improving human hair capabilities. Due to the high importance of this product in the field of treating hair loss and increasing hair growth, many researches and studies have been conducted on this drug and are still ongoing. In the following, we will examine the multiple uses of this product in the treatment of hair loss and other hair problems and analyze its possible side effects.
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Pharmaceutical forms of minoxidil
Pharmaceutical companies produce their products in various pharmaceutical forms such as tablets, capsules, serum, injectable solution, syrup, etc. Each of these medicinal forms is prescribed by the doctor according to the physical condition and age of the patient (adults, children, teenagers and the elderly). The pharmaceutical forms of minoxidil include regular tablets of 2.5 mg and 10 mg, topical foam and topical solution of 2% and 5%.
Uses of Minoxidil
Minoxidil solution and foam are used to promote hair growth in the treatment of male pattern baldness. Note that this product is not used for frontal scalp baldness or receding hairline in men. 2% minoxidil foam and solution is also used to help hair growth in women with thin hair. This drug belongs to a class of drugs known as vasodilators, and it is not known how it causes hair growth. This medicine is not useful for sudden or patchy hair loss, unexplained hair loss (for example, if you do not have a family history of hair loss), or postpartum hair loss.
Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of minoxidil drug
Minoxidil dilates the arteries and promotes hair regrowth by reducing systemic resistance, which subsequently lowers blood pressure. Excretion of this product through urine (12% as unchanged drug) and its metabolism from the liver, 88% through glucuronidation.
The dosage of minoxidil
Before using minoxidil solution, carefully check the drug information on the product packaging. The manufacturer has told you how to use it. Clean and dry your head before using the desired area, it is also allowed to use it on wet hair. To use the solution, fill the applicator with 1 ml of the drug (to the 1 ml line) or use 20 drops. Part your hair in the thinning area and apply the solution evenly on the scalp. Allow the solution to dry completely before applying other styling products (eg gel, mousse) or before going to bed.
Dosage of minoxidil tablets
- Minoxidil tablets for severe or resistant hypertension (HTN) 5 mg daily, which can be increased with the approval of the doctor.
- Tablets of this drug are used for severe or resistant blood pressure in children under 12 years of age at the rate of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg, which should not exceed 5 mg. Also, for adolescents over 12 years of age, 5 mg daily, with the possibility of increasing the dose every 3 days.
- For blood pressure in the elderly, 2.5 mg should be taken daily and then gradually increase.
Time to take minoxidil tablets
To use minoxidil foam, wash your hands with cold water and dry well, then apply about 1/2 capful of foam to the scalp and massage gently. Allow the foam to dry completely before styling or going to bed. If scalp irritation is a problem for you, you may need to avoid using minoxidil on the same days you dye or chemically treat your hair. Be careful not to use this product on red, sore, irritated, scratched, cut, or infected skin.
Types of minoxidil available in the pharmacy
Minoxidil is usually sold in 2 types of 2% and 5% in pharmacies:
minoxidil 2%
In minoxidil 2%, there are 2 grams of minoxidil per 100 grams. It is usually recommended that this type of minoxidil be used by women. Minoxidil is the only medication approved by the FDA to treat female pattern baldness. Minoxidil 2% Powerher Deltadaro can be introduced as an example of this product.
minoxidil 5%
Another type of minoxidil in pharmacies is 5% minoxidil, which means that there are 5 grams of minoxidil in every 100 grams of this product. The use of this medicine is recommended for men. This product helps to increase the length of miniature hair in men and has a high absorption rate. Minoxidil 5% pure drug is an example of this drug.
Another type of minoxidil in the form of 10% is also available in some pharmacies, which should only be used by men. This drug works very strongly and strengthens the hair roots in men. If a person experiences side effects after taking minoxidil 10%, he should use other types, i.e. 2 or 5%, or stop taking the drug altogether.
The difference between minoxidil solution and foam
The types of minoxidil can be classified in another way and that is the form of the product. This drug is sold both in the form of a solution and in the form of a foam. But which type is better? We must say that the minoxidil solution may cause the hair to look somewhat greasy, while this problem does not exist in the form of foam.
Foam is more suitable for balding men because if they use the solution type, the liquid will not stay on their head and will slide off immediately. But people who have longer hair can easily use the solution form of this medicine. In terms of effectiveness, there is no difference between minoxidil solution and foam.
Precautions
Before using minoxidil tablets or solution, if you are allergic to the product or other ingredients in it, avoid taking the medicine. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Consult a doctor if you have problems such as scalp diseases (such as eczema, infection, cuts), heart problems (such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure), kidney disease, liver disease, etc. During pregnancy, this product should be used only if necessary. Also, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it should be taken with the doctor’s prescription.
- In patients with severe hypertension, too rapid control of blood pressure, especially with intravenous drugs, can cause syncope, cerebrovascular accidents, myocardial infarction, and ischemia of certain sensory organs, resulting in decreased or loss of vision or hearing. .
- Patients with malignant hypertension should receive initial treatment with minoxidil in the hospital to ensure blood pressure reduction.
- Neonatal hypertrichosis has been reported following exposure to minoxidil during pregnancy.
- Although minoxidil itself does not cause orthostatic hypotension, its administration in patients already receiving guantidine can lead to profound orthostatic effects. If possible, discontinue guanethidine well before starting this medication.
- Treatment is not used in patients who have had a myocardial infarction in the last month. It is possible that the reduction in arterial pressure produced by the drug further restricts blood flow to the myocardium, although this process is compensated by the reduction in oxygen demand due to the lower blood pressure.
- Patients with renal failure or on dialysis may require lower doses and should be closely monitored to prevent worsening of renal failure or worsening of heart failure.
Concomitant therapy to prevent tachycardia
- Minoxidil tablets will increase the heart rate. Angina may worsen or appear for the first time during treatment, possibly due to increased oxygen demand associated with an increased heart rate.
- In general, it is possible to prevent the increase in speed and incidence of angina by co-administration of a beta-adrenergic blocking drug or other suppressors of the sympathetic nervous system.
- The ability of beta-adrenergic blocking agents to minimize papillary muscle lesions in animals further supports the concomitant use of the agent. 24/7 efficacy of sympathetic depressant should be ensured.
Minoxidil contraindications
Before taking any medication, first check the drug information on the product packaging, including precautions, contraindications, how to use, etc. The most important thing to consider in all chemical and herbal medicines is the contraindications. Contraindications to minoxidil include allergy to this product and pheochromocytoma. Also, this drug may aggravate angina pectoris and in laboratory animals it caused several types of myocardial lesions as well as other adverse cardiac effects.
- Allergy to minoxidil
- Pheochromocytoma
- It should be administered under close supervision, usually concurrently with therapeutic doses of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent to prevent tachycardia and increased myocardial workload.
- It is usually given with a diuretic (usually a loop diuretic) to prevent serious fluid build-up.
- Patients with malignant hypertension and those already receiving guantidine should be hospitalized at the first administration of minoxidil (monitoring is necessary because there is a risk of rapid or excessive lowering of blood pressure).
Minoxidil side effects
Burning, swelling, itching and pain are some of the side effects of minoxidil solution that occur at the site of use. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away. Most people who use this drug do not have serious side effects, but rarely it can be absorbed through the skin and cause side effects. Some of the serious side effects of this drug include unwanted facial or body hair, dizziness, fast and irregular heartbeat, fainting, chest pain, swelling of hands and feet, abnormal weight gain, fatigue, etc.
- Hypertrichosis
- Abnormal ECG
- Pericardial effusion
- The frequency is not defined
- angina
- Cardiac tamponade
- Fluid and sodium retention
- high blood pressure
- pericarditis
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare)
- hirsutism
- Leukopenia (rare)
- thrombocytopenia (rare)
- Epidermal necrolysis of poison
Minoxidil drug interactions
Patients, before visiting the doctor, prepare a list of chemical and herbal medicines you use and show them to him. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. High blood pressure drugs (such as guantidine), alcohol-interacting drugs (such as disulfiram, metronidazole), bromperidol, amphetamines, brigatinib, bromperidol, dexmethylphenidate, etc. will cause drug interactions with minoxidil tablets. These interactions cause serious side effects or reduce the effects of the medicine, if you have problems or special effects, see a doctor.
Taking minoxidil tablets (minoxidil) during pregnancy and breastfeeding
A doctor must be consulted about the use of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Otherwise, minoxidil is contraindicated during this period.
Minoxidil storage conditions
Minoxidil should be stored at room temperature and away from fire and ignition. This medicine is flammable and should be kept out of the reach of children and animals. Dispose of this product properly when it has expired or is no longer needed.
A final word on minoxidil
In this article from Positive Green Pharmacy magazine, we investigated the mechanism of action of minoxidil (minoxidil) in increasing hair growth and showed that this drug makes it possible to improve the hair capabilities of humans by stimulating hair activity and dilating skin blood vessels.
Also, the multiple uses of this compound in the treatment of hair loss and other hair problems were investigated. Among these applications, we can mention the use of minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia (hair loss), improving the history of baldness, and strengthening thin hair. However, the use of this drug requires the observation and examination of a doctor so that, along with the treatment, the least side effects are caused to the patient.
Site source: Medscape