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Minoxidil (Oral)
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Description
Minoxidil (Oral) is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing your blood vessels and lowering your blood pressure.
Minoxidil (Oral) may cause common side effects such as increased heart rate, increased hair growth, changes in your hair colour, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen.
Minoxidil (Oral) should be taken exactly as advised by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of this medicine in your body.
Minoxidil (Oral) should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have pre-existing kidney or heart problems before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Minoxidil (Oral) may interact with other medicines. Therefore, close evaluation with respect to your current medicines is necessary to avoid any undesired side effects. If you are pregnant, or breastfeeding, or are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor before taking this medication.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Minoxidil (Oral)
Increased heart rate
Increased hair growth
Changes in hair colour
ECG variations
Uses of Minoxidil (Oral)
What is it prescribed for?
Severe hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but if left untreated it may increase your risk of heart problems and stroke (damage to your brain resulting from reduced/blocked blood supply). Minoxidil (Oral) is used in combination with other medicines for the treatment of severe hypertension
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of Minoxidil (Oral) may be observed within one hour of intake.Duration of effect
The effect of Minoxidil (Oral) lasts for an approximate duration of 24 hours after intake.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 have been reported with Minoxidil (Oral).Usage in pregnancy?
Due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women, the risk to your developing foetus due to Minoxidil (Oral) is not known. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known whether Minoxidil (Oral) passes into breastmilk. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
Allergy
Avoid Minoxidil (Oral) if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a condition with a non-cancerous tumour in your adrenal glands (glands located above your kidneys), which results in high blood pressure. Minoxidil (Oral) is not recommended if you have pheochromocytoma due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies in pregnant women, the risk to your developing foetus due to Minoxidil (Oral) is not known. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Minoxidil (Oral) passes into breastmilk. Hence this medicine is not recommended during breastfeeding unless necessary. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
General warnings
Fluid retention
Minoxidil (Oral) may increase your risk of fluid retention (an accumulation of fluid in your tissues and body cavities). This may increase your risk of congestive heart failure (a condition in which your heart is unable to pump blood properly). Inform your doctor if you experience swelling in your hands, feet, ankles and legs while on treatment with this medicine.
ECG alterations
Changes in ECG (electrocardiogram) may be observed after beginning treatment with Minoxidil (Oral). Your ECG will be closely monitored while on treatment with this medicine.
Hypertrichosis
Hypertrichosis is a condition with excessive hair growth. Minoxidil (Oral) may increase your risk of hypertrichosis. You may experience an elongation, thickening and enhanced pigmentation of your fine body hair within three to six weeks after starting treatment with this medicine.
Tachycardia
Minoxidil (Oral) may increase your risk of tachycardia (fast heart rate). It may also increase your risk of angina pectoris (chest pain). Inform your doctor if you experience such symptoms while on treatment with this medicine.
Other medicines
Minoxidil (Oral) may interact with other medicines and may cause undesired side effects. Inform your doctor about your current medicines including any herbs or supplements before taking this medicine.
Driving or Operating machines
Minoxidil (Oral) may cause dizziness and fainting. Do not drive vehicles or operate machines if you experience any symptoms that may affect your mental alertness after taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Minoxidil (Oral). Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Minoxidil (Oral).
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
Corticosteroids
Guanethidine
Alprazolam
Tizanidine
Codeine
Zolpidem
Sildenafil
Minoxidil Topical
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Minoxidil (Oral) should be used with caution if you have pre-existing heart problems such as congestive heart failure (a condition in which your heart is unable to pump blood properly), ischaemic heart disease (a condition with narrowed blood vessels, resulting in reduced blood supply to your heart muscle) due to the increased risk of worsening your condition. Your heart function needs to be closely monitored.
Kidney Disease
Minoxidil (Oral) is eliminated by kidneys and should be used with caution if you have pre-existing kidney problems due to the increased risk of side effects, resulting from the accumulation of this medicine in your body. Your kidney function needs to be closely monitored and dose adjustments may be required based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Minoxidil (Oral) with or without food. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition.
Minoxidil (Oral) may cause fluid retention (an accumulation of fluid in your tissues and body cavities). Inform your doctor if you experience swelling in your hands, feet, ankles and legs while on treatment with this medicine.
Minoxidil (Oral) may increase your hair growth. You may experience changes in the growth, thickness, and colour of your hair within a few weeks after beginning treatment with this medicine.
Do not drive vehicles or operate machines if you experience any symptoms that may affect your alertness after taking Minoxidil (Oral).
Miscelleneous
How it works
Minoxidil (Oral) works by relaxing your blood vessels and improving your blood flow. This helps in lowering your blood pressure.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Vasodilators, Anti-hypertensive Agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Loniten Tablets10mg - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Minoxidil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].
Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 6 Dec 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.