Is oral minoxidil safe for hair loss? Are side effects common?

Do not use oral minoxidil for hair loss.  It is not safe to take oral minoxidil for hair loss.  Even if it is, it does not grow hair where you want it.  

I do not recommend oral minoxidil as it may cause serious heart problems. It should be administered under close supervision. Topical minoxidil is more direct and is generally well tolerated.

Side effects are not uncommon.  They include (1) Fast or irregular heartbeat,(2) weight gain (rapid) of more than 5 pounds (2 pounds in children). The less common side effects include: (1) Chest pain, (2) shortness of breath. In addition to these include bloating, flushing or redness of the skin, swelling of the feet or lower legs, numbness or tingling of the hands of fee or face, and occasional skin rashes and itching. Some people develop facial hair when using minoxidil on the scalp and for women, this is a real problem.Minoxidil is generally safe, but beware if any of the above happen and speak with your doctor if you see such side effects and want to continue using this drug.