Important Safety Information: Minoxidil

Oral minoxidil can cause fluid retention, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, ankle swelling, and increased hair growth in unwanted areas. Hair growth affects roughly 1 in 7 patients. It lowers blood pressure; at the much higher doses used for hypertension, the oral form carries an FDA black-box warning for its vasodilatory effects. Cardiovascular history must be reviewed before starting, and blood pressure monitored during. Rare but serious effects, including fluid around the heart, have been linked to dosing errors, a reason dose is set and adjusted by your physician rather than self-managed. Topical formulations may cause scalp irritation, dryness, and increased shedding in the first weeks. Oral use for hair is off-label.