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Minoxidil is a vasodilator and originally was exclusively used as an oral drug
to treat high blood pressure. It was, however, discovered to have the
interesting side effect of hair growth and reversing baldness, and in the 1980s,
UpJohn Corporation produced a topical solution that contained 2% minoxidil to be
used to treat baldness and hair loss, under the brand name Rogaine. It is
unknown how the drug stimulates hair growth.
Side-effects
As a drug to combat hair-loss, the most common side effect is itchy scalp.
There have been cases of allergic reactions to minoxidil or the non-active
ingredient propylene glycol which is found in some forms of the topical version,
such as Rogaine. Large amounts of minoxidil can cause hypotension, and it has
been found that using petroleum jelly or tretinoin on the scalp with minoxidil
can cause too much of the drug absorption by the scalp, as can using the drug on
sunburned scalps.
If a person uses minoxidil to stop hair loss for a length of time and then stops
taking the drug, hair loss will occur again.
Other side-effects, although not as common, include:
acne on the area where it is being used as a topical solution
headaches and/or lightheadedness
impotence
very low blood pressure
irregular or fast heart beat
flushing of the skin
blurred vision
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or face
decrease in sexual desire
chest pain
rapid weight gain
swelling of the lower legs, hands, feet, or face
All the side effects in the above list except for acne may be a indicator that
too much of the drug is being used.
It has also been found that the drug can be passed from a mother to a child via
breast milk. Retreived from
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