Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a tablet originally used in larger doses to treat high blood pressure. In smaller doses swallowed (orally) it has been found to increase the blood flow to the hair roots. This then enables hairs to grow for longer and new hair starts to grow more quickly.

Minoxidil solution has been used successfully in treating people with hair loss for a variety of reasons, such as:

• People who have finished chemotherapy treatments which caused hair loss.
• Female pattern hair loss.
• Fragile hair disorders.

Do Minoxidil tablets work?

Yes, they do. Minoxidil is a proven and successful treatment for hair loss which has been used for decades. It works by increasing blood flow to the hair roots, this enables hairs to grow for longer and new hairs to grow more quickly.[1]

Studies have shown that about a third of men taking Minoxidil tablets will experience reduced shedding and another third will experience improved growth by around 6 months of treatment. 

Men also report that their hair strands are stronger, thicker and deeper coloured when using Minoxidil tablets.[1,2]

So 2 in every 3 men using Minoxidil tablets are likely to see and feel a benefit. We recommend you use Minoxidil tablets for 6 to 12 months to experience full effectiveness.

Which minoxidil treatment will I be given?

One of our specialists will assess you and decide with you, the treatment plan and the dose needed. Minoxidil is available as a 2.5 milligrams (mg) tablet. 

At lower doses it can still stimulate hair growth but side effects are kept to a minimum. We recommend this slow start to ensure that you and your body can get used to Minoxidil gradually, reducing the chance of side effects.

Oral minoxidil doses vary between 0.625mg up to 2.5mg. To achieve the dose of 0.625mg you are required to use a pill cutter, cutting the tablet into quarters. You will start on a 0.625mg dose on alternate days; any further changes to the dose will be discussed in your follow up consultations.

Minoxidil foam (Regain ® ️) is the only licenced treatment for female and male pattern hair loss. This is a topical solution (applied to the skin) and can be bought over the counter.

Benefits of Minoxidil tablets 

Minoxidil tablets are 30% more effective at stopping and reversing hair loss than the liquid or foam and can work for you even if the liquid or the foam has not worked in the past.[3] 

This is because the enzyme (Sulfotransferase) responsible for breaking down Minoxidil into its active ingredient (Minoxidil Sulphate) is not found in high concentrations in the scalp. It is present and readily available in the liver, which is where Minoxidil tablets are broken down by the body.

Minoxidil works differently to Finasteride/Dutasteride, it has been shown to increase the length, thickness and depth of colour in the hair strands. As such, it can be an excellent complementary therapy to Finasteride or Dutasteride or is also effective as a solo treatment.

Possible Side Effects of Minoxidil

Minoxidil is generally well tolerated and most people experience no side effects. It is therefore unlikely that on the low dose minoxidil you will experience any side-effects. However, on higher doses of minoxidil the following side-effects have been experienced:

• Fluid retention (causing weight gain and/or ankle swelling)
• Increased heart rate and palpitations
• Chest pain and/or shortness of breath
• Low blood pressure causing dizziness and fainting
• Increased face and body hair growth
• Skin rashes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Breast tenderness
• Blood test abnormalities
• Important points to consider

While Minoxidil solution and foam are approved to treat MPB/AA in the UK, Minoxidil tablets are not and are as such an unlicensed treatment.

To read in more detail what this means, see our dedicated article about Unlicensed Medicines in Hair Loss.

When starting minoxidil some people experience an increase in the hair shedding cycle. This usually settles within the first 6 weeks of treatment. This treatment is not advised for individuals who are already on medication to reduce their blood pressure (anti-hypertensive medication). While you are receiving minoxidil treatment you should have your pulse and blood pressure monitored regularly by your GP.

Because alcohol lowers the blood pressure, we recommend that you reduce any intake during oral minoxidil treatment.

Currently there is no evidence to confirm minoxidil is safe to use if you are trying to conceive, pregnant or when breastfeeding. For this reason, we would not suggest this treatment to women in this group.

As with all medication, we recommend that you read the patient information leaflet enclosed in the packet.

FAQ

Can I use Minoxidil tablets alongside Finasteride or Dutasteride?

Yes, you can, as they work in very different ways. It is not only safe to use them together but doing so could increase your chance of halting hair loss and triggering regrowth.

Do I need a prescription to get Minoxidil?

Yes, Minoxidil tablets are a Prescription-Only Medicine. Our in-house team of UK doctors can prescribe for you following a short online consultation, providing that it is safe to do so.

Please ensure you complete your consultation honestly and thoroughly in order for us to give you the quickest and safest service.

Can I use Minoxidil tablets and Minoxidil Liquid or Foam?

We would not recommend this, it is best to use one or the other. Using both will not cause hair loss to cease and regrowth to begin any faster and will only increase your risk of side effects.

When should I not use Minoxidil tablets?

This treatment might not be right for men who are already on medication to reduce blood pressure (anti-hypertensive medication). 

Additionally, because alcohol lowers blood pressure, we recommend that you reduce how much you drink during oral Minoxidil treatment.

Is Minoxidil licensed for hair loss in the UK?

Minoxidil tablets are not, but Minoxidil liquid and foam are.

Can I get Minoxidil tablets on the NHS?

No, not for Male Pattern Baldness/Androgenic Alopecia. The NHS does not prescribe any medicines for this condition.

Can minoxidil regrow hair permanently?

While the precise cause by which Minoxidil encourages hair growth is unknown, we do know that when it is taken, the hair growth is temporary and disappears once Minoxidil is stopped. It’s crucial to remember that minoxidil doesn’t stimulate the growth of new hair follicles.

Can I use minoxidil for a lifetime?

It is recommended that Minoxidil is used continuously throughout your lifetime. Once the medication is stopped, you could lose all of the ‘new’ hair that you gained. 

Will oral minoxidil thicken hair?

More than 80% of patients in clinical trials for Loniten (oral minoxidil for blood pressure) had hypertrichosis, or ‘elongation, thickness, and increased colouration of body hair.’ After starting the procedure, the hair growth would normally appear three to six weeks later.

Does oral minoxidil work better?

Minoxidil used topically may cause some irritation. Both topical and oral treatments were almost equally effective at slowing or stopping hair loss in clinical studies, although the oral treatment had a higher risk of side effects.

Patient Leaflet – https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4294/pil