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.
Slight weight gain is also possible due to fluid retention, a side effect of Minoxidil's vasodilating properties. This effect is uncommon, but over weeks of continued use, an increase in body weight by a few pounds may be noticed. This reverses after stopping treatment.
While minoxidil undoubtedly causes a severe degree of fluid retention, this side effect can in most instances be controlled with appropriate doses of a loop-diuretic alone or by the addition of metolazone (2, 3) in conjunction with dietary restriction of sodium intake....
However, in patient forum sites we detected that patients noticed “puffy face” due to topical application of minoxidil solution. We present this case to remind the locally edematous effect of minoxidil solution.
While more research is needed, it seems that taking oral Minoxidil may cause hair shedding in some people who use it. But the good news is that this side effect is only temporary, resolving in a few weeks. And after that, you should see significant improvement in your hair density.
Early stages of treatment
Within 2-4 months, hair shedding starts to decrease as the medication begins working to grow new hair. Some people may also experience minor scalp irritation like flaking, redness or itching when beginning Minoxidil treatment. Using the foam version instead of the liquid solution can help.
The amount of hair shedding may vary from person to person. Some individuals might experience only minimal shedding when starting minoxidil or their hair loss treatment, while others might notice more significant excess shedding. It's essential to understand that this variation is normal and part of the process.
Minoxidil has other effects that could be bothersome for some patients. These include increased hair growth, weight gain, fast heartbeat, and chest pain. Before you take this medicine, be sure that you have discussed the use of it with your doctor.
Periorbital edema refers to swelling around the eyes. It can occur with use of low dose oral minoxidil for hair loss. The puffiness can be severe in some cases - mimicking an allergic reaction. Estimates suggest that 0.3 to 1 % of users of low dose oral minoxidil have this side effect.
The reported adverse events of long-term minoxidil application in men are erectile dysfunction, dizziness, depression, decreased libido, chorioretinopathy, contact dermatitis, headache, hypoesthesia, and anxiety [66].
Research suggests that minoxidil may be associated with difficulty sleeping in some cases [16]. However, this is not a common side effect of taking minoxidil.
Minoxidil should not be used in patients with a known history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its constituents, including propylene glycol. The utilization of minoxidil is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Additionally, minoxidil has been shown to lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. On the negative side, some studies have linked minoxidil to an increased risk of fluid retention and edema. This can be a problem for people with heart failure, as it can lead to worsening symptoms.
Though it won't fully restore all the hair you've lost, minoxidil can grow and give your hair an overall thicker appearance. Finasteride (Propecia) is FDA-approved to treat hair loss in men. However you treating dermatologist may elect to use this off label to help regrow hair in female pattern baldness.
You may notice increased hair loss after using minoxidil because it is said to trigger the anagen phase, and this is where men will start experiencing hair shedding. This happens so that the new hair can grow at a good healthy length and thickness.
Swelling is one of the potential adverse effects of minoxidil, but a prescription diuretic pill can help reduce unwanted fluids. Your doctor will most likely prescribe these medications together. Your hands, feet, ankles, stomach, or face can swell as a result of salt and water retention caused when taking minoxidil.
You have significant side effects. It's expensive to continue using Minoxidil every day. You're concerned that Minoxidil is interacting with other medications you're taking. You've achieved the results you want and no longer want to use Minoxidil.
Do not use any other skin products on the same skin area on which you use minoxidil. Hair coloring, hair permanents, and hair relaxers may be used during minoxidil therapy as long as the scalp is washed just before applying the hair coloring, permanent, or relaxer.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration issued a black-box warning for pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and electrocardiogram (EKG) changes for oral minoxidil therapy. The potential for these adverse events explains its indication for only severe, treatment-resistant hypertension.
While minoxidil shedding can make it look like your hair loss is getting worse, it is actually a normal, temporary phase and a sign that the treatment is working. In about 6 weeks, this temporary side effect should stop. And once it does, your hair should grow back stronger, thicker, and fuller.
Dread shed typically begins 2 to 4 weeks after treatment initiation and lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks.
Key Takeaways:
Most users begin to see the first signs of improvement around 8 weeks with consistent minoxidil use. Maximum results typically appear between 4-6 months of regular treatment.