Minoxidil (Oral)

Minoxidil is part of a group of medicines called antihypertensives. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

High blood pressure increases the strain on the heart and arteries. If it lasts for a long time, the heart and arteries may not work properly. This can harm the blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys, leading to a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure can also raise the risk of heart attacks. Controlling blood pressure may help reduce these risks.

Minoxidil works by relaxing blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them. This helps lower blood pressure.

Minoxidil can have other effects that some patients may find bothersome. These include increased hair growth, weight gain, fast heartbeat, and chest pain. Before taking this medicine, make sure to discuss it with your doctor.

Some balding men are using minoxidil in liquid form on their scalp to promote hair growth. However, using liquids made from minoxidil tablets incorrectly can lead to minoxidil being absorbed into the body, which may cause unwanted effects on the heart and blood vessels.

Minoxidil is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working properly.

Ask your doctor about checking your pulse rate before and after taking minoxidil. Then, while you are taking this medicine, check your pulse regularly while you are resting. If it increases by 20 beats or more a minute, contact your doctor right away.

While you are taking minoxidil, weigh yourself every day. A weight gain of 2 to 3 pounds (about 1 kg) in an adult is normal and should be lost with continued treatment. However, if you suddenly gain 5 pounds (2 kg) or more (for a child, 2 pounds [1 kg] or more) or if you notice swelling of your feet or lower legs, contact your doctor right away.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, as they may raise your blood pressure.

In deciding to use a medicine, you must balance the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. This decision will be made together with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your healthcare professional if you have other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

While there is no specific information comparing the use of minoxidil in children to other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of minoxidil. Additionally, minoxidil may reduce tolerance to cold temperatures in elderly patients.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both medicines.

• Semaglutide

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken with food or certain types of food, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Angina (chest pain)—Minoxidil may worsen this condition.

• Heart attack or stroke (recent)—Lowering blood pressure may worsen issues resulting from a heart attack or stroke.

• Heart or blood vessel disease—Minoxidil can cause fluid buildup, which can lead to problems.

• Kidney disease—Effects may be increased due to slower removal of minoxidil from the body.

• Pheochromocytoma—Minoxidil may cause the tumor to be more active.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• rapid weight gain of more than 5 pounds (2 pounds in children)

Less common

• Chest pain
• shortness of breath

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Bloating
• flushing or redness of skin
• swelling of feet or lower legs

Less common

• Numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face

Rare

• Skin rash and itching

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Increase in hair growth, usually on face, arms, and back

Less common or rare

• Breast tenderness in males and females
• headache

This medicine causes a temporary increase in hair growth in most people. Hair may grow longer and darker in both men and women. This may first be noticed on the face several weeks after you start taking minoxidil. Later, new hair growth may be noticed on the back, arms, legs, and scalp. Talk to your doctor about shaving or using a hair remover during this time. After treatment with minoxidil has ended, the hair will stop growing, although it may take several months for the new hair growth to go away.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Loniten

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antihypertensive, Peripheral Vasodilator

In addition to the use of the medicine your doctor has prescribed, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and care in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that minoxidil will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

This medicine is usually given together with certain other medicines. If you are using a combination of drugs, make sure that you take each medicine at the proper time and do not mix them. Ask your health care professional to help you plan a way to remember to take your medicines at the right time.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (tablets): Adults and children over 12 years of age: 5 to 40 milligrams taken as a single dose or in divided doses. Children up to 12 years of age: 200 micrograms to 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight a day to be taken as a single dose or in divided doses.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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