Minoxidil Topical
Description
Minoxidil Topical is a medicine that contains Minoxidil. It is used to treat hair loss. It promotes hair growth by increasing the blood flow to hair follicles by widening the blood vessels. It is very effective in individuals aged below 40 years.
Minoxidil Topical may rarely cause some side effects like itching and skin irritation at the site of application. These side effects are rare and may subside by themselves. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a long time or worsen.
Minoxidil Topical is for external use and for applying on the scalp only. It can be applied once or twice a day to the scalp or as prescribed by your doctor. Before applying it, make sure your scalp is clean and dry. It may take two to four months to observe any hair growth. Excessive use will not fasten the hair growth and may raise the chances of its side effects. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Minoxidil Topical will not cause permanent regrowth of hair. You have to use it regularly to maintain healthy and long hair. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or does not improve after four to six months of use. Accidental contact of this medicine on other body parts can cause unwanted hair growth. Avoid contact with your eyes, mouth. Rinse properly with plenty of water in case of accidental contact.
Minoxidil Topical is not recommended for use for children under the age of 18 and elderly people above the age of 65 unless prescribed by the doctor. It may not be suitable if your hair loss is caused by medicines (as in chemotherapy) or a nutritional deficiency. Inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure or if you are using other creams or lotions to treat scalp conditions. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Minoxidil Topical
- Scalp irritation
- Burning, itching, or prickling of the scalp
- Dizziness
- Redness of the scalp
- Swelling of feet or lower legs
- Eye irritation
- Increased hair growth on face, arms and back
- Headache
Uses of Minoxidil Topical
What is it prescribed for?
- Alopecia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effects of Minoxidil Topical can be observed within 3 to 4 months of beginning the treatment.
- Duration of effectThe time for which Minoxidil Topical remains active is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Minoxidil Topical.
- Usage in pregnancy?Minoxidil Topical is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may affect your foetus. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Minoxidil Topical is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid using Minoxidil Topical if you are allergic to it. If you develop any allergic reaction symptoms like hives, rash, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or neck, consult your doctor immediately.
Scalp psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is a scalp skin condition marked by red, itchy and scaly patches on the entire scalp. Minoxidil Topical is not recommended for use if you have scalp psoriasis as it can cause skin irritation and burning sensation when used on affected areas.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Minoxidil Topical is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may affect your foetus. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Minoxidil Topical is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Unwanted hair growth
Minoxidil Topical may cause unwanted growth of hair on your face, arms and back. Make sure that it does not come in contact with your face while using it.
Temporary shedding of hair
Minoxidil Topical may cause temporary shedding of hair at the beginning of the treatment. This shedding is due to the growth of new hair at the place of old hair and subsides in a couple of weeks. Consult your doctor if the shedding persists.
Use on a shaved scalp
Avoid using Minoxidil Topical on a shaved scalp as it may not help in faster hair growth after shaving.
Self medication
Do not self-medicate Minoxidil Topical. It is available over the counter in pharmacies. Before using this medicine, it is recommended to consult your doctor to rule out the actual cause of hair loss.
Topical use
Minoxidil Topical is only meant for use topically on the scalp. Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, nose or any other parts of the body. Rinse thoroughly with water in case of accidental contact.
Beard growth
Minoxidil Topical not recommended for beard growth. It is effective only for hair growth on the scalp.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose of Minoxidil Topical as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use more quantities to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
An overdose of Minoxidil Topical is not likely to cause severe symptoms. However, the ingestion of this medicine may cause harm and immediate medical intervention may be required.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Guanethidine
Alfuzosin
Isosorbide Dinitrate
Sapropterin
Mecamylamine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Apply Minoxidil Topical as instructed by your doctor. It is not necessary to shampoo your hair every day before using this solution.
Before applying Minoxidil Topical make sure your hair and scalp are totally dry. Apply it at the same time every day for 3 to 4 months to see hair growth.
You should not shampoo your hair for 4 hours after using Minoxidil Topical. Let your hair dry naturally after 2 to 4 hours of its application. This medicine may stain your clothes, caps, or bed sheets.
Keep away from the reach of children and pets. Do not use it after the date of expiry. Keep away from fire or flame as this medicine is inflammable.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Minoxidil Topical widens the blood vessels and provides better blood flow to the hair follicles.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Dermatological agents, Topical agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2021. Minoxidil Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Boots Hair Loss Treatment Regular Strength - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 October 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Nov 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.