Minoxidil tablets

What are minoxidil tablets?

MINOXIDIL (Loniten®) is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels; when taken by mouth minoxidil helps to treat high blood pressure. It is not a cure and must be taken regularly to control blood pressure. Generic minoxidil tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take minoxidil?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• angina

• heart or blood vessel disease

• kidney disease

• lung disease

• pheochromocytoma

• previous heart attack

• an unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take minoxidil tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with minoxidil?

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)

• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills

• medicines for chest pain

• medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

• medicines for high blood pressure

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)

• water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking minoxidil?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking minoxidil. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her. While you are taking minoxidil, keep a check on your weight. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you rapidly gain more then 5 pounds.

You may need to follow a special low-sodium diet while taking minoxidil. Check with your prescriber or health care professional.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, headache or pain while you are taking minoxidil, without asking your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking minoxidil.

What side effects may I notice from taking minoxidil?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness or fainting spells

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• skin rash or itching

• stiff or swollen joints

• sudden weight gain

• swelling of the feet or legs

• unusual weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache

• unusual hair growth, on the face, arm, and back

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Minoxidil topical solution

What is minoxidil topical solution?

MINOXIDIL (Rogaine® Regular Strength For Men, Rogaine® for Women, Rogaine® Extra Strength For Men, Theroxidil® Extra Strength) stimulates new hair growth in cases of hereditary hair loss. When applied to the scalp, minoxidil can promote hair growth in men with male pattern baldness. Minoxidil (Rogaine® for Women) can also help women with thin hair and frontal hair loss. Women should not use extra-strength minoxidil products. Generic minoxidil topical solutions are available.

What should my health care professional know before I use minoxidil?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• angina

• damaged or sunburned skin

• heart or blood vessel disease

• kidney disease

• lung disease

• pheochromocytoma

• previous heart attack

• an unusual or allergic reaction to minoxidil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Minoxidil solution is for external use on the scalp only. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions that come with the product. The hair and scalp should be dry before you use minoxidil solution. You do not need to shampoo your hair before each application. Do not use within 30 minutes of bedtime. After applying minoxidil solution, do not use your hair dryer on the hot or high setting to dry hair. Also, do not swim or exercise for 2 hours after using minoxidil solution. Do not use more often than specified in the directions.

Minoxidil solution must be used on a regular basis for your hair to regrow. It may take 2—4 months of regular use before you notice any improvement. It is important to continue to use minoxidil solution to maintain regrowth of hair. Once you stop using minoxidil solution, the regrown hair will usually fall out within 3 months.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss one or two daily applications, do not try to make up for missed applications. Return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not use more solution than the amount listed in the directions. Do not use more often than directed.

What drug(s) may interact with minoxidil?

Minoxidil solution is applied to the scalp. Therefore, it is unlikely to affect other medicines that you take by mouth. However, it is important to tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are taking medicine to treat high blood pressure, because there may be a chance of an increase in the effect of your blood pressure medicine.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are using any other hair products.

What should I watch for while taking minoxidil?

Continue to use minoxidil exactly as directed. It may take 2—4 months of treatment before you notice improvement. Minoxidil is not a cure for baldness. If it is effective, you will need to continue to apply the solution.

Do not get minoxidil in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on other sensitive areas. If you do, rinse off the solution with plenty of cool tap water. Always wash your hands after applying the solution. Do not apply if your scalp is cut, scraped, or sunburned.

What side effects may I notice from using minoxidil?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations

• difficulty breathing

• dizziness or fainting spells

• skin rash, blisters, or itching

• stiff or swollen joints

• sudden weight gain

• swelling of the feet or legs

• unusual weakness

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache

• redness, irritation and itching at the site of application

• unusual hair growth, on the face, arm, and back

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). This product is flammable. Keep away from heat, fire or flame. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.