Minoxidil

Generic name: Minoxidil

Drug class:  Vasodilators

Dosage forms: Tablet

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 2.5, 10 mg

Mechanism of action: Minoxidil is a vasodilator that relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Drug usage cases: 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.

Drug contra indications: 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.

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.

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.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: 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.