Is minoxidil safe?

Author: Zena Boehm  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Topical minoxidil is generally well tolerated, but it can cause temporary hair shedding, scalp irritation, and changes in hair texture. In rare cases, it can contribute to a fast heartbeat. Some minoxidil side effects can be avoided by taking the low-dose tablet formulation.

What are the negative effects of minoxidil?

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.

Is long-term use of minoxidil safe?

Minoxidil is safe for long-term use as long as a person never exceeds the recommended dosage. A person should keep a list of all prescription drugs, nonprescription medications, and supplements they are using and take this with them when they see a doctor or go to the hospital.

Can minoxidil regrow hair permanently?

Minoxidil can effectively regrow hair, but its effects are not permanent unless continued. If you're looking for a long-term hair loss solution, it's best to combine it with other treatments or consult a specialist to find the right approach for your hair type.

Why not to use minoxidil?

Even breastfeeding women should not use Minoxidil as it can enter the breast milk and can endanger the baby. People suffering from chronic conditions and cardiac patients should not use it at all. People with sunburned and irritated scalp should not use Minoxidil and should consult their doctor first.

Is Minoxidil SAFE ?! | Hair Surgeon Review

Why people stop using 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.

Who should avoid 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.

Is minoxidil safe for the heart?

Minoxidil is a potent directly acting vasodilator previously used in treatment-resistant hypertension. It possesses several serious side effects including fluid retention, worsening of heart failure, reflex tachycardia, angina, myocardial infarction, pericardial effusion, and hypotension.

How bad is minoxidil shedding?

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.

Why does minoxidil cause weight gain?

It may cause weight gain due to water retention in the body.

What is the black box warning for minoxidil?

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.

What is the success rate of minoxidil?

After 16 weeks of administration, minoxidil has been found to promote hair growth in approximately 35% of individuals in clinical trials [3,4]. While 30-40% of patients in physician-guided studies reported success, this percentage is dramatically lower in subjects who self-administer minoxidil.

Does minoxidil thicken hair?

The FDA has approved minoxidil (Rogaine), available over the counter, as a hair loss treatment for both men and women. It helps thicken hair follicles and promotes hair lengthening. It comes in a liquid or foam that's applied to the scalp. "If you have a lot of hair, it may be easier to apply the liquid form.

What age should you not use minoxidil?

This medication is not used for sudden/patchy hair loss, unexplained hair loss (for example, if you have no family history of hair loss), or hair loss after giving birth.Do not use this product if you are 18 years old or younger.

Does minoxidil affect testosterone?

Does Minoxidil increase testosterone? No – there is absolutely no evidence to suggest this. While studies have looked into the possible effect of the hair loss treatment on your hormones, no definitive conclusion has been reached. In fact, Minoxidil may well have the opposite effect.

Can I use minoxidil even if I'm not balding?

Preventing hair loss by using treatment before you develop any signs of male pattern baldness is a fairly unusual approach. It is also not recommended and potentially unnecessary; although genetic hair loss is hereditary, it does not necessarily affect every member of the family.

Can I skip minoxidil for 3 days?

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply 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.

What are the downsides of minoxidil?

Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter product that's marketed to treat hair loss in men and women. It comes as a foam and as a liquid solution. Topical minoxidil is generally well tolerated, but it can cause temporary hair shedding, scalp irritation, and changes in hair texture.

Does topical minoxidil get into the bloodstream?

Systemic absorption of topical minoxidil is less than 99% of the amount applied on the scalp. Minoxidil does not bind to plasma proteins or crosses the blood–brain barrier. Approximately 95% of the systemically absorbed drug and its metabolites are excreted via the kidney within 4 days.

Why can't over 65s use minoxidil?

As the skin's characteristics and responses can alter with age, older adults over 65 may experience different results or an increased risk of side effects. Despite its topical application, a small amount of Minoxidil can be absorbed by the body, potentially affecting blood pressure and overall cardiovascular function.

Does minoxidil damage DNA?

The lethal dose 50 in C. elegans was determined to be 1.75 mg/mL, and a delay in body development was detected at all concentrations. In conclusion, minoxidil induces DNA damage only in early treatment, implying that this DNA damage may be repairable.

How common is weight gain with minoxidil?

In a retrospecive, multicenter review of 1,404 patients taking low dose oral minoxidil, the most common side effects were unwanted facial or body hair or hypertichosis (15%), light-headedness from low blood pressure (1.7%), fluid retention/weight gain (1.3%), rapid heart rate (0.9%), headache(0.4%), fluid around the ...

Does minoxidil cause anxiety?

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].

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