Are there side effects to Minoxidil?

Are there side effects to Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a popular medication that is used to treat male pattern hair loss. Once applied to the scalp, it provides your hair follicles with the nutrients they require to thrive. But are there side effects to Minoxidil? Here, we explain what potential side effects you might experience from this hair loss treatment and inform you of what to do should you have any concerns after starting your treatment. 

What is Minoxidil? 

Minoxidil is a medication that has been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss. Specifically, a 5% Minoxidil solution is extremely effective when it comes to treating male pattern hair loss, as evidenced by this 2002 study. As a vasodilator, Minoxidil increases blood and oxygen flow to the areas of your scalp affected by male pattern hair loss, providing the hair follicles with the nutrients that they require to thrive. But are there side effects to Minoxidil? 

Understanding Minoxidil’s side effects 

As is the case with all medications, some side effects of Minoxidil are possible, but they’re rare and usually mild. That being said, Minoxidil's side effects can include headaches, rashes, unwanted facial/body hair, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, fainting, chest pain, swelling of hands/feet, unusual weight gain, tiredness, and difficulty breathing. Before starting your hair loss treatment with Minoxidil, it’s really important to read the Patient Information Leaflet to ensure you have all the information you need regarding potential side effects. This will help you identify the side effects if they arise and take the appropriate action. 

What to do if you experience Minoxidil side effects 

If you think that the symptoms that you’re experiencing are side effects of using Minoxidil, you should stop using it immediately. You then need to schedule an appointment with your GP to discuss your side effects in detail before deciding on the best course of action. You can also report any side effects that are not listed above to your GP or pharmaceutical nurse, as it’s important that Minoxidil does not affect your health in a negative way. At any stage, you can contact the Sons medical team with any queries.

Are Minoxidil side effects common? 

The good news is that Minoxidil's side effects aren’t very common, and most people who use the medication will not experience any issues with their treatment. The most common Minoxidil side effect is a headache, which may affect approximately 1 in 10 people. Other relatively common symptoms include itching of the skin or a rash, which may affect up to 1 in 10 people. Again, if you notice any of these side effects, stop using Minoxidil and contact your GP right away.

Get started with Minoxidil today 

Although there are some potential side effects to using Minoxidil, they are rare, and the fact remains that this medication is one of only two treatments that have been clinically proven to treat male pattern hair loss. Provided that you apply Minoxidil at the stipulated intervals and monitor your treatment, you shouldn’t encounter any issues. Check out our hair loss plans today to get started with your Minoxidil treatment and take your first steps towards a healthier head of hair.

If you have any further questions regarding Minoxidil and its side effects, please feel free to contact our medical team at medical@sons.co.uk, who will be happy to answer any questions that you have about our treatment plans.

All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.