Minoxidil

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Apr 11, 2024

Warnings

Minoxidil Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Minoxidil can cause or worsen serious medical problems in some people. Talk with your doctor about other treatment options for male and female pattern hair loss if you are at a high risk of complications from this medication. Some of the risks of topical minoxidil use include:

FLAMMABLE: Topical minoxidil is extremely flammable. Avoid exposure to fire or flames, and do not smoke during and immediately after applying topical minoxidil.
HEART PROBLEMS: Topical minoxidil is less likely to affect the heart than oral minoxidil. You should still check with your doctor before using topical minoxidil if you have a history of heart disease. Stop using the medicine and call your doctor immediately if you develop a rapid heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, sudden unexplained weight gain, or swelling.
FOR ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA ONLY: Some topical minoxidil formulations are for use by men only. There are separate formulations for use by women. Make sure you choose the correct product and read the package instructions carefully.
Topical minoxidil is not for use by people younger than 18 years of age.
Do not use topical minoxidil for men if the degree or pattern of hair loss does not match what is shown on the carton. Topical minoxidil for men is not for use on the front of the scalp and cannot correct frontal baldness or receding hairlines.
Stop using the medicine if you develop scalp irritation or redness that does not go away or unwanted facial hair growth. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you don’t see hair regrowth after 4 months of minoxidil therapy.
Check with your doctor before using minoxidil if other people in your family do not have this pattern of hair loss, if your hair loss occurred suddenly, for example, after childbirth in women, if you have a patchy loss of hair, if the reason for your hair loss is unclear, or if you have a history of hair disorders or scalp disease.

Precautions Before Starting Minoxidil

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil, any of the active or inactive ingredients in minoxidil formulations, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of all your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This will help prevent possible drug interactions between minoxidil and your other medicines.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Minoxidil may not be safe for people with heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or scalp conditions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding.

Precautions During Use of Minoxidil

Do not use topical minoxidil on a red, inflamed, sunburned, infected, or irritated scalp.

Do not use other medications on your scalp without checking with your healthcare provider.

Do not apply topical minoxidil to any other part of your body. Do not allow contact of the medicine with your eyes, nose, mouth, and other sensitive areas. In case this happens accidentally, rinse the area with a large amount of cool tap water.

You should know that using topical minoxidil can cause your hair color and hair texture to change.

Results from minoxidil treatment may be visible in 2 months but typically take 4 months. The results vary from person to person. This medication may not be effective in everyone.

Talk to your doctor about minoxidil response testing. This involves checking sulfotransferase enzyme activity in plucked hair follicles to predict the response of balding patients to topical minoxidil therapy. This test can successfully identify more than 95% of people who are nonresponders to topical minoxidil for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. If you are such an individual, it can save you time and money on minoxidil foam and topical solution, which may not work even after prolonged use.

Minoxidil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen to protect your skin.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using topical minoxidil.

Minoxidil Drug Interactions

Using topical minoxidil with certain other medicines can affect how the medications work. Possible drug interactions between minoxidil and your other medicines can increase the risk of a severe adverse event. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications, switch you to a different medication, and/or monitor you carefully for serious side effects if there are known interactions between minoxidil and your other medicines. Some of the medications that can interact with minoxidil include:

Guanethidine (Ismelin) and other drugs used to treat high blood pressure
Vitamins

The above list may not include all the possible interactions of minoxidil. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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