What oral Minoxidil dosage do doctors give male patients for hair loss?

Question

Hi, I would like to know what Doctors give their patients (men) in terms of dosages for oral minoxidil for hair loss, I am currently on 1mg daily but I am not sure if this is a low dose for a male for treating hair loss as the only information I get online for 1mg is that it is more suited for women's hair loss. I am thinking of upping it to 2mg but would like an opinion or gauge on what other doctors offer to their patients (males)? thank you,

Michael Zacharia, MBBS, FRACS, FAAFPS · Answer

Low-dose minoxidil has been widely used for hair growth, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with finasteride. Dosing for minoxidil can range from 0.25mg to 5mg. Higher dose (i.e. 5mg) is more effective than lower dose of the same medication. Be careful to watch out for possible side effects such as drop in blood pressure or feet swelling.

Jeff Rapaport, MD · Answer

The  original starting dose in the studies by Sinclair were .25 mg of oral minoxidil. The dose utilized needs to be titrated based upon blood pressure and side effects. The concept is to use the highest dose that can be tolerated. Jeff Rapaport MD FAADRealself Verified All-star

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Low doses have few side effects. Higher doses have more side effects. Low doses may or may not work as well as high doses. Generally we start slow and go up if the patient tolerates it well and feels they want more hair. I have a rare patient who gets dizzy, swollen and feels absolutely awful at 0.5 mg and I have a very rare patient on 10 mg and feels fine. One must go slow and monitor side effects very carefully. Most males are on 1.25-2.5 mg.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you fo your question. A dose of 1.25mg is a very safe dose, anything more could have negative side effects. Hope this helps.

Sara Wasserbauer, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Oral Minoxidil is used off label as a medical therapy option to grow hair.  In the higher doses there may be cardiovascular side effects, so providers will typically start off with low doses such as 1.25mg and titrate up slowly depending on response of treatment and if any side effects are noted. I hope that helps!

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

There are some risks with higher doses of oral minoxidil so the dose of 1.25 mgs is a reasonable  safe dose

What oral Minoxidil dosage do doctors give male patients for hair loss?

Answers (6)