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A Minoxidil Primer
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What is Minoxidil |
Types of Minoxidil |
Who is Minoxidil For
What is Minoxidil?
Today, Minoxidil is used for 2 medical purposes. First, it is used (topically) to help men and
women who suffer from androgenic alopecia, to regrow hair on the top of their scalps.
Second, Minoxidil is used (orally) to lower people's blood pressure. Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it relaxes veins and arteries, making it easier for your heart to pump.
Different Types of Minoxidil
Topical Minoxidil (Brand name: Rogaine)
Topical Minoxidil or Rogaine, is sold over the counter in the USA, in 2% and 5% solutions to help
prevent and stop hair loss in men and women. Originally released in a 2% solution, Rogaine has
been shown to slow hair loss and in some cases regrow hair in a 4 month time period. Rogaine does
not work the same in everyone, results may come sooner or may take up to a year. Pharmacia & Upjohn
later released 5% Rogaine for Men which has been shown to stop hair loss and in some cases regrow
hair in as little as 2 months. Some men cannot use 5% Rogaine for Men as it irritates their scalp.
Topical Minoxidil is also available in the USA as a generic over the counter treatment for hair loss
under the generic name Minoxidil. Both 2% and 5% Minoxidil are available over the counter.
Oral Minoxidil (Brand name: Loniten)
Minoxidi or Loniten is used to help certain people who suffer from high blood pressure and who do not respond to other
forms of treatment or medications. Vasodilators work by relaxing the smooth muscle of blood vessels, which opens up,
or dilates, the blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more easily, thereby lowering blood pressure.
Vasodilators, like Minoxidil, are not commonly used alone to treat ongoing high blood pressure because of the significant drop in blood
pressure that they cause, which may lead to heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat. They may be used if a person is in a
hypertensive crisis or when other classes of medication are not effective in controlling high blood pressure.
It may also be used where conditions in addition to high blood pressure,such as heart failure, asthma, impotence,
or an enlarged prostate,that may benefit from the effects of vasodilators like Minoxidil.
Who is Minoxidil for?
Topical Minoxidil
For men, topical forms of Minoxidil can be used to treat hair loss on the top of the scalp.
Both, 2% and 5% solutions are available over the counter without a doctor's prescription.
For women, only a 2% solution is available at the time of this writing (May 2003).
Oral Minoxidil
As with any oral medication (or any medication for that matter) we recommend that you
consult your doctor about the proper medication for your condition. With something
as powerful as Minoxidil, in reducing high blood pressure, we recommend you consult
your physician.
Resources
Rogaine (Minoxidil) Press Release
For more answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Minoxidil visit our
Minoxidil FAQ.
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