Minoxidil: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Medicine Minoxidil?

What is Minoxidil for?

Minoxidil is a drug used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

These drugs include vasodilators that work by widening blood vessels. That way blood flow can flow more smoothly. This also allows the blood pressure that was previously high to slowly decrease. Controlled blood pressure can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and impaired kidney function.

Apart from being a drinking drug, this drug is also available in topical preparations (topical) which functions as a hair growth stimulant drug. This type of minoxidil works by widening the blood vessels so that the hair follicles will get adequate nutrition and oxygen. These fulfilled nutritional and oxygen needs can accelerate the growth of hair follicles.

How to use Minoxidil?

This medicine can be taken after or before meals. Ask your doctor or pharmacist when is the best time to take it.

Take the medicine according to the recommended dosage. Do not attempt to increase or decrease your dose on your own without your doctor's permission. In addition to decreasing the effectiveness of the drug, it can also increase the potential for side effects.

You are also not advised to give this medicine to other people, even if they complain of symptoms similar to yours. Because, the dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. That is why, the dosage of each person may be different.

Doctors generally will give the dose from the lowest first. After that the doctor will see the patient's response to treatment. If needed, the dose of the drug can be increased gradually. Keep taking your medication as recommended even if your doctor changes your dose several times.

In order for your blood pressure to stabilize quickly, take this medicine regularly at the same time every day. To make it easier for you to remember, record your medication schedule in a special notebook or mobile phone reminder app.

While taking this drug, your doctor may also ask you to check your blood pressure regularly. The reason is, blood pressure can change anytime and anywhere, depending on the type of activity you do.

In addition, high blood pressure often appears without significant symptoms. Therefore, to prevent unwanted things, continue treatment even though you feel well.

In general, it may take several weeks for you to fully benefit from this medication. Tell your doctor if the condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

In essence, Minoxidil is a drug that must be taken according to the doctor's rules or the recommendations listed on the drug package. Listen and understand the information carefully. If you don't really understand how to use it and how many doses of medicine to use, don't hesitate to consult a doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a hypertension drug that should be stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Minoxidil dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Minoxidil dosage for adults?

The standard dose to help lower high blood pressure is 5 milligrams (mg), taken by mouth once a day. The maintenance dose ranges from 10-40 mg divided into 1-2 doses.

d for each person may be different. The dosage of drugs is usually adjusted according to the patient's age, overall health condition, and their response to treatment.

Be sure to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication. This is to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

What is the Minoxidil dosage for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is Minoxidil available?

To treat high blood pressure, this drug is available in tablet form with a strength of 2.5 mg and 5 mg. Meanwhile, to treat hair loss, this drug is available in topical or topical form.

Minoxidil side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Minoxidil?

Some of the most common side effects of Minoxidil are:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizzy
• Mild headaches
• Kliyengan
• Sleepy
• Heart palpitations
• Reddish rash on the skin
• There is a change in the color, length, or thickness of the body or facial hair

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• Dry cough, chest pain that feels like being stabbed
• Chest pain radiating to the arm or shoulder; nausea, sweating, feeling sick overall
• Breathing problems (especially when lying down)
• Swelling of the feet, ankles
• Rapid body gain of 2.5 kg or more
• Heart palpitations
• Sudden numbness, weakness, headache, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance
• Fever, sore throat, and headache accompanied by blisters, peeling skin, and a reddish rash on the skin
• There are symptoms of a skin rash no matter how mild
• Bruising or bleeding easily
• Feeling about to lose consciousness

Severe allergic reactions as a result of taking this drug are very rare. However, you should see a doctor immediately if you experience a number of signs and symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as:

• Swelling of the face, tongue, lips and throat
• Severe itching in part or all over the body
• Difficulty breathing
• Consciousness was almost lost
• Unusual skin rash

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Minoxidil Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Minoxidil?

A number of things that need to be considered and done before using Minoxidil are:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to minoxidil, an ingredient in this medication, or any other type of hypertension medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the list of ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or will be taking medication regularly. Whether it's prescription, non-prescription, or natural medicine made from herbal ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you have pheochromocytoma (tumor in the adrenal glands). Your doctor may advise you not to take this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you have had or recently had a heart attack, or if you have heart or kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you are going to have medical surgery, including dental surgery.

It is important to know that this drug can cause drowsiness. Therefore, make sure you do not drive the car or operate machinery and heavy equipment until the effects of the drugs are completely gone.

This medicine can also cause side effects of dizziness and lightheadedness. You should not get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position. If you do this, you are at high risk of falling.

So, to avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Don't forget to regularly check your blood pressure. This is to monitor your health condition as well as the response to treatment in your own body. If blood pressure continues to rise, report it to your doctor immediately.

In essence, do not hesitate to see a doctor if your condition does not improve, is getting worse, or you experience unusual symptoms. The sooner it is treated, the better. Your doctor may change the dose or change the drug that is more suitable for your condition.

Is Minoxidil safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Minoxidil Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Minoxidil?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Tell your doctor all medicines you use, especially guanethidine (Ismelin).

Can food or alcohol interact with Minoxidil?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Alcohol can usually lower blood pressure and increase certain side effects of this drug.

Also, do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes while taking this medicine unless your doctor says it is okay.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with Minoxidil?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, specifically:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease

Minoxidil overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose in one drink.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.