Hair treatment with Minoxidil - long term side effect?

Question

What are real side effects of a years long term use of minoxidil, is it dangerous for liver since you have to use it for life, and how strong is topical solution 5% comparison to high blood pressure pils.

Baubac Hayatdavoudi, MD · Answer

Minoxidil 7% topical is equivalent to oral minoxidil in hair loss prevention and restoration. However, the oral version has the adverse effect of hypotension and lightheadedness and is rarely used these days for its antihypertensive effects.  It had been mostly used intravenously in ICU and hospital setting until a decade ago or so and is falling out of favor and replaced by other medications. There are many of our patients who do take the oral minoxidil and happy with it.  You need to be cognizant of the adverse affects of the oral version.Topically, most of the adverse effects relate to the solvent the minoxidil is mixed in as most companies use propylene glycol, a cheap solvent, to mix the minoxidil into solution.  The pH of your minoxidil solution also critical in absorbability.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Thank you for posting your question. The most common side-effects are skin irritation, and hear palpitations. Minoxidil should be used indefinitely to maintain the existing hairs. It is safe enough to be used daily within normal use.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

There are many side effects to minoxidil, the most common side effects are dizziness, palpitations, skin irritation and itching. If you experience any of these, you need to see a hair specialist for evaluation and stop using the product.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Liver side effects for toxicity with chronic use of minoxidil are rare but do happen. The most common side effects can be seen in the web reference below

Hair treatment with Minoxidil - long term side effect?

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