Minoxidil has been used to slow hair loss and reduce its effects. This medication works by strengthening hair follicles and promoting new hair growth.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Researchers initially developed minoxidil in the 1970s as an antihypertensive agent to treat high blood pressure. However, it attracted interest as a potential treatment to stimulate follicles when patients developed generalised hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on the body) as a side effect.
This observation led to the creation of a topical formulation with minoxidil as the active ingredient. It has since become a common treatment for male and female pattern hair loss (also called androgenetic alopecia or hereditary hair loss).
The medication is sold under the common brand name Rogaine for hair loss.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult with a registered specialist before beginning any new treatment plan.
Minoxidil’s exact mechanism of action is unknown. However, trials have shown that minoxidil can slow hair loss and stimulate hair growth in cases of both male and female pattern baldness in several ways:
According to other hypotheses, minoxidil may also have proliferative, anti-androgenic (the blocking of androgen hormones), and anti-inflammatory effects.
Several meta-analysis studies have confirmed the high quality of evidence for using minoxidil to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in both men and women. Despite minoxidil’s effectiveness in hair regrowth, it doesn’t work for everyone and every type of hair loss.
A study referenced by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery showed that after one year of 5% topical minoxidil use, most men experienced either hair regrowth or no further hair loss.
The investigators found it:
This indicates an overall efficacy rate of 84.3% for the minoxidil topical solution.
However, minoxidil hair growth treatment should be prolonged indefinitely to maintain the efficacy of positive results. Minoxidil discontinuation will cause acute hair shedding after three to four months.
Oral minoxidil contains the active ingredient minoxidil in tablet form. It is not officially approved to treat male pattern baldness, so its use is off-label.
However, results from small studies indicate that minoxidil pills for hair loss are not inferior to topical minoxidil.
Oral minoxidil may be an alternative treatment in healthy men and women who cannot tolerate or comply with the topical solution. Oral Minoxidil is also considered for men concerned about or have already experienced sexual side effects from finasteride.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult with a registered specialist before beginning any new treatment plan.
Topical minoxidil is one of the primary ways to treat hair loss. This FDA-approved and UK-licensed medication is available in two easy-to-use forms: a solution and a foam. Users simply apply the minoxidil topical solution to areas of the scalp with thinning hair.
Minoxidil’s success depends on activation by the sulfotransferase enzyme, which is abundant in the liver but varies significantly between individuals’ hair follicles. By utilizing the liver’s consistent enzyme supply, oral minoxidil often proves more effective for patients who lack the follicular chemistry required to benefit from topical applications.
Being aware of side effects can help you manage treatment safely and effectively. Always read the patient information leaflet for full instructions and precautions.
While both forms are effective, their delivery methods lead to different potential side effects. Topical minoxidil primarily causes localized reactions, whereas oral minoxidil may have systemic effects due to its absorption into the bloodstream.
However, first, we look at the known side effects of both oral and topical minoxidil.
Learn about side effects for each formulation and for men versus women.
Brief oral and topical minoxidil side effect comparison:
| Feature | Topical minoxidil (foam/liquid) | Oral minoxidil (low-dose Pill) |
| Effect area | Only on the scalp | Whole body |
| Skin | Itching readiness dry scalp | None |
| Extra hair | Rare (if it drips on the face) | Common (face/body) |
| Heart/blood pressure (BP) | Very rare | May cause dizziness, fast heart, or low BP |
| Swelling | Very unlikely | May cause ankle, foot or eye swelling |
As this is an off-label use of a blood pressure medication, it’s usually prescribed at very low doses (typically 0.625–5 mg) to help minimise potential side effects.
However, select patients experience the following side effects from the oral formulation:
In sporadic cases, men and women have experienced the following symptoms:
Most side effects are usually linked to the liquid’s carrier ingredients (such as propylene glycol), rather than the medication itself.
Possible scalp reactions can include:
Note: Some people find the foam formulation less irritating than the solution, as it doesn’t contain propylene glycol.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
According to a 2019 review, unwanted hair growth is more common in women using 5% topical minoxidil, though the reason is unclear. Some women may have hair follicles that respond more strongly to the medication.
Minoxidil is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to potential risks.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult with a registered specialist before beginning any new treatment plan.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
It’s usually not recommended to use both topical and oral minoxidil together. In some cases, a doctor may supervise the use of both, but only under medical guidance.
One recent study examined patients who started using oral minoxidil while still using topical minoxidil. Researchers found that overlapping treatments could temporarily increase hair shedding if not carefully managed. This shows why doctor supervision is essential.
Both forms of minoxidil have various potential side effects and, depending on the patient, can be unsuitable for use.
Minoxidil can be especially unsafe for patients with:
It is essential to consult with a doctor to determine a treatment plan that takes all factors into consideration. Ensure you disclose all your health conditions, allergies, and current medications during your initial medical consultation.
There are two other drugs predominantly used to treat male pattern baldness and hair loss — finasteride and dutasteride.
Originally developed to combat benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate), these medicines work by preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a male hormone that shrinks hair follicles and prevents hair growth.
No, unless directed by your physician. Although it can sometimes cause hypertrichosis on the body or face, minoxidil topical solution for hair loss should only be used on the scalp in the exact amount prescribed by your doctor.
Using a higher concentration of minoxidil foam or cream, using it too often, or using it on other parts of the body increases the risk of absorption through the skin and unwanted effects on your heart and blood vessels.
Research on minoxidil for beard growth is limited, so it’s hard to draw clear conclusions. A 2016 study found that applying liquid minoxidil twice daily for 16 weeks led to noticeably thicker beard growth compared with a placebo.
There are no dedicated studies into the efficacy of using minoxidil for body hair growth.
For some, minoxidil hair regrowth results have appeared as early as eight weeks with regular dosing.
However, others might have to wait a few months — up to 16 weeks — before they start seeing results.
If you miss a dose of minoxidil, simply skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not apply a double amount or take an extra pill to “make up” for the lost dose. Doubling up will not speed up hair growth; instead, it significantly increases your risk of side effects like scalp irritation, lightheadedness, or unwanted body hair.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
