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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Dosage For Minoxidil

i have been using minoxidil 5% solution for three years for hair loss. Recently my doctor prescribed me minoxidil 10% lotion which is not approved as far I know and also gave me minoxidil oral tablets. I am scared to take so much minoxidil together fearing side effects. What should I do?
Thu, 27 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi Mr Xxx ! Thank you posting your question here .

I would say that yes it's a high chance if you use both topical 10% and oral tablets to have the side effect of this drug .Since minoxidil tablet is primarily used to treat high blood pressure , we use the side effect of minoxidil( amoung other) the hair growth.
Also you need to know that is not 100% sure that the drug will work in every patient.

If your doctor can prescribe this medication tablet and think that can give you 10% lotion , He knows how to handle if you have any side effect and you must do check up every month .
If I were your treating doctor i would sugest minoxidil tablet only to low the risk (since the 5% lotion had no effect ), and to see how will work in your hair growth since the lotion 5% did not have any effect .And its a better chance the tablet will work compare to lotion.
I would recommend to monitor your blood pressure every day and if you have one of these other symptoms of hypotension ; dizzyness, fainting, fast heart beat, blurred vision ,swollen hands or legs , difficult breathing , unusuall tiredness, weight gain.

You should stop the medication but not immediately but by slowing the dosage.Call your doctor for that.

Wish these help .
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Diabetologist,  Dr. Nishith R S's  Response
Yes, your concerns are rightly placed. 10% minoxidil is not approved fro topical use and FDA has advised against such use due tao safety concerns.
And I would never put my patients on oral minoxidil for hair loss because of both safety and effectiveness issues. Oral finasteride can be tried along with 5% topical minoxidil preparation.
You can discuss the above points with your dermatologist and ask for the alternatives that is mentioned.
Hope this helps you. Thanks.
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Suggest Dosage For Minoxidil

Hi Mr Xxx ! Thank you posting your question here . I would say that yes it s a high chance if you use both topical 10% and oral tablets to have the side effect of this drug .Since minoxidil tablet is primarily used to treat high blood pressure , we use the side effect of minoxidil( amoung other) the hair growth. Also you need to know that is not 100% sure that the drug will work in every patient. If your doctor can prescribe this medication tablet and think that can give you 10% lotion , He knows how to handle if you have any side effect and you must do check up every month . If I were your treating doctor i would sugest minoxidil tablet only to low the risk (since the 5% lotion had no effect ), and to see how will work in your hair growth since the lotion 5% did not have any effect .And its a better chance the tablet will work compare to lotion. I would recommend to monitor your blood pressure every day and if you have one of these other symptoms of hypotension ; dizzyness, fainting, fast heart beat, blurred vision ,swollen hands or legs , difficult breathing , unusuall tiredness, weight gain. You should stop the medication but not immediately but by slowing the dosage.Call your doctor for that. Wish these help .