Oral Minoxidil is a promising treatment for many types of hair loss. While topical Minoxidil is more widely used, oral Minoxidil treatment is still always or often recommended by more than a quarter of hair loss specialists [1].
In this ultimate guide to oral Minoxidil treatment for hair loss, you’ll find out everything you need to know about taking Minoxidil tablets for promoting hair growth, including:
Minoxidil is a drug originally developed to treat high blood pressure, but it is now also used off-label to slow hair loss and promote hair regrowth in those with certain types of alopecia [2].
Oral Minoxidil works through various mechanisms:
Oral Minoxidil can help treat the following types of hair loss [3]:
Results are more mixed for alopecia areata patients, especially in the case of severe alopecia areata [3-4]. However, combining oral Minoxidil with certain JAK inhibitors may reduce bald spots [5].
Various doses of oral Minoxidil have been shown to be effective in treating hair loss, ranging from 0.25mg to 5mg per day [3, 6]. However, none of these doses have yet been licensed for hair loss.
No matter which dose you use, you need to use oral Minoxidil consistently for at least three to six months to see a sustained impact on your hair.
One study found a noticeable increase in hair diameter and density in groups with just a 1mg difference in their daily dose of oral Minoxidil [7]. However, this also increased the risk of side effects.
Exploring clinical before and after Minoxidil photos will help you see what results you can expect to see after using oral Minoxidil for hair growth.
In one study of low-dose oral Minoxidil, researchers found a distinct improvement in hair density after 24 weeks of taking 0.25mg Minoxidil daily [6]:
A six-month study also found a reduction in the size of the thinning areas after 12 weeks and 24 weeks when taking 5mg oral Minoxidil daily [8]:
5mg of daily Minoxidil also led to significant improvements for this 28-year-old male pattern hair loss patient after just three months of use [9]:
These photos show that Minoxidil tablets can create visible results. But how effective is oral Minoxidil according to clinical research?
In one study of 16 male androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness) patients took a 2.5mg or 5mg daily dose of oral Minoxidil for hair loss [9]. Researchers found clinical improvements in all patients, with 37.5% showing marked improvement. Five patients experienced hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth on the body and face) as a result of the treatment.
Another study of 30 male patients showed that a 5mg dose of Minoxidil could boost hair count after just 12 weeks of treatment, with further improvements after 24 weeks [8]. 43% of patients had excellent improvements, but 93% experienced hypertrichosis.
A systematic review of multiple studies concluded there isn’t enough evidence to recommend the use of oral Minoxidil for hair loss [3]. While it appears to help some patients, much of the current research is of relatively low quality. Some studies have been funded by pharmaceutical companies, raising questions about the impartiality of the results.
Unlike oral Minoxidil, topical Minoxidil is a licensed hair loss treatment in the UK. That’s because it has a strong effectiveness and safety profile, with fewer significant side effects than the oral version.
One comparative research study shows that oral Minoxidil may lead to slightly higher rates of hair regrowth than topical Minoxidil, with hair density increasing by 12% and 7.2% respectively [10]. This small difference means that topical Minoxidil is generally a much safer bet.
Oral Minoxidil is an off-label hair loss treatment, so every patient needs to be individually assessed for suitability before it’s prescribed.
In general, oral Minoxidil can be used by men and women, provided they’re not at risk of cardiovascular events like heart disease, heart attacks, or stroke. Risk factors include:
Your doctor should check you’re a good candidate for oral Minoxidil before prescribing it.
Oral Minoxidil is associated with some significant side effects. These include:
While it’s rare for these side effects to have a lasting or serious impact on your daily life, they can pose risks for certain patients. So if you have a pre-existing condition like high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s important to tell your doctor about this.
Taking oral Minoxidil can lower your blood pressure. This can be dangerous in some patients, so it’s important to discuss this with your doctor and have your blood pressure monitored regularly.
Oral Minoxidil doesn’t always cause the temporary Minoxidil hair shedding associated with topical Minoxidil [11].
If you do experience some shedding when you start taking Minoxidil tablets, it usually lasts no more than eight weeks [12].
Minoxidil tablets can stimulate facial hair growth around the beard, as well as in areas that were hairless before treatment [2]. This can even happen as a side effect of taking oral Minoxidil for scalp hair growth.
While this is a manageable and even desirable side effect for some men, it can be distressing for female hair loss patients. If you start to grow facial hair when taking Minoxidil, you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of this medication.
Yes, oral Minoxidil can cause you to grow more hair around your body. This is known as hypertrichosis, and it’s a common side effect of taking oral Minoxidil.
Oral Minoxidil may be a suitable hair loss treatment for women. Unlike other oral medications, such as Finasteride, Minoxidil doesn’t impact your hormones. So it may be a safe alternative to Finasteride for women.
In one study of female pattern hair loss patients, oral Minoxidil increased hair density by 12% on average [10].
However, there are some negative side effects. Some women find that oral Minoxidil causes them to grow more hair on their faces and body. This can also affect children:
Finasteride is the most popular treatment for male hair loss. Unlike Minoxidil, it works by blocking production of dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.
Both hair loss treatments are effective, and you can even combine Minoxidil with Finasteride to get better results (under advice from your doctor).
One study found that 5mg oral Minoxidil was slightly more effective than 1mg Finasteride (the standard dose for hair loss) [14].
Yes, you need a prescription for oral Minoxidil. It’s important for a medical professional to check your suitability for the medication before you start taking it.
The best way to get an oral Minoxidil prescription for hair loss is to see a medically trained trichologist. They can assess your suitability and help you decide on the right treatment for your hair loss.
At the Wimpole Clinic, our specialist doctors can help you formulate a hair loss treatment plan that will improve your symptoms. In addition to oral Minoxidil, we can prescribe Finasteride, Dutasteride, and other hair loss treatments to help promote hair growth and slow the loss of hair. We can also advise on lifestyle changes and surgical hair restoration options like hair transplants.
Book a consultation at one of our hair loss clinic locations today to start your hair restoration journey.
Find out more about oral Minoxidil for hair loss in these frequently asked questions.
Oral Minoxidil has a half-life of around 4.2 hours [15]. That means it takes just over four hours for the amount of Minoxidil circulating in your body to reduce by half.
However, Minoxidil can continue to work for up to 24 hours. Minoxidil accumulates in the body with continued use, so it can take longer for Minoxidil to completely leave your system.
No studies have yet investigated the link between oral Minoxidil and male fertility. More research is needed to determine the impact of Minoxidil on fertility.
Some studies have investigated the link between Finasteride and fertility.
Compared with DHT-blocking hair loss drugs like Finasteride and Dutasteride, oral Minoxidil is less likely to cause erectile dysfunction [16]. DHT blockers work on a hormonal level, while Minoxidil dilates the blood vessels.
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