What is minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a prescription medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure. This drug works to relax blood vessels in the body to ease blood flow to and from the heart. This action helps to lower blood pressure over time.
Talk to your doctor about whether minoxidil is right for you.
What are the most common side effects of minoxidil?
Minoxidil has been shown to cause adverse side effects in some patients. If these reactions become severe or do not go away after a day or two, seek medical attention right away.
The most common side effects of minoxidil use include:
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Minoxidil is a prescription medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure. This drug works to relax blood vessels in the body to ease blood flow to and from the heart. This action helps to lower blood pressure over time. Topical minoxidil is commonly used to treat hair loss in both men and women.
Minoxidil is available as a generic drug or under the brand name Loniten.
Minoxidil is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This medication may be used alone or in conjunction with other medicines/ therapies to lower blood pressure and prevent further complications such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
High blood pressure is a dangerous – potentially fatal – condition in which the heart is met with too much resistance from blocked or narrowed arteries as it tries to pump blood and oxygen around your body. When not treated, high blood pressure can lead to an array of serious health issues including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and many more complications. Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, and heart disease is the leading cause of death of people in the United States.
Minoxidil belongs to a classification of medications known as vasodilators. These drugs work by relaxing the walls of blood vessels, which widens pathways for blood and oxygen to flow to the heart. Over time, this action helps to lower blood pressure.
It is important to note that this medication is not a cure for high blood pressure, though it does help control it. Your blood pressure treatment may include prescriptions for other medications, as well as lifestyle adjustments such as dietary changes and increased exercise. Talk to your doctor before starting any of these lifestyle changes to determine the best treatment plan for you.
This medication has been shown to cause some adverse side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these side effects become severe, or do not go away within a few days.
Common symptoms reported while taking minoxidil include:
More serious side effects include:
Seek medical attention right away if you begin to notice any of these symptoms. These are signs of a serious adverse reaction and medical treatment is required.
As with all prescription medication, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you are currently managing. Tell them about any and all medication, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with minoxidil. This medication can interact with substances in the body, causing potentially serious adverse reactions.
Let your provider know if you have or have had heart or kidney disease before taking minoxidil.
Minoxidil can cause drowsiness. Because of this, you should not operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Finally, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with minoxidil. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, inform your health care provider immediately.
Minoxidil is commonly supplied as an oral tablet. The specific dosage ordered by your health care provider depends on your condition, your age, and your body weight. Take this medication exactly as ordered. Do not increase or discontinue the dosage without consulting with your health care provider first.
Keep all medication bottles out of reach of small children, and at room temperature. Avoid exposing the medication to excess heat or moisture.
If you begin to notice any adverse side effects like those listed above, notify your health care provider immediately.
If you miss a dose of minoxidil, take it as soon as you can. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of minoxidil.
Minoxidil is currently only available via prescription. This means that a licensed health care provider must authorize the use of this medication.
If you are looking for a prescription, doctors on Sesame can write a prescription–or refill an existing one–during a virtual or in-person visit. Note that not all drugs can be prescribed via an online video appointment. In some cases, an in-person doctor visit is required for a prescription.
Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at your pharmacy. Book an appointment with a provider on Sesame today to discuss whether or not minoxidil is right for you.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Sesame cannot guarantee that you will be provided a prescription after a video or in-person appointment. Providers on Sesame are unable to prescribe controlled substances. For more information about controlled substances, check out the Drug Enforcement Agency’s scheduling guidelines here.
Providers on Sesame can write a prescription for minoxidil to be picked up near you–often within the same day. Don’t wait to get your prescription filled. Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your prescription ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your doctor.
