Oral Minoxidil For Treatment of Hair Loss – An Alternative to Finasteride (Propecia)
Minoxidil is commonly used world-wide a an inexpensive solution to hair loss and it seems to work for men and women. Minoxidil was originally used for the treatment of high blood pressure but it was not a reliable drug for this purpose.
When used for the treatment of hair loss, it can reverse the hair loss even in genetic balding, especially when the balding is early in the process. In the United States it would have to be prescribed by a physician as an ‘off-label’ drug as it is not approved for use in hair loss by the FDA. It is, nevertheless, a reasonable option for men who can not tolerate finasteride if they experience sexual side effects. For women, the appearance of hair elsewhere in the body and face can be a problem and other side effect, rare or otherwise include:
Hypertrichosis (80%)
Abnormal ECG (60%)
Hypotension
Pericardial Effusion (3% more common in women than men)
Chest pain from Angina
Cardiac Tamponade (rare)
Fluid and sodium retention
Pericarditis
Taccyarryhhmia
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (rare)
Hirsutism
LOL…
LOL.
That’s a shame Doctor. People with mpb needs real treatments no finasteride and minoxidil. To be honest the results are very very poor. Deplorable hair loss industry. Enough.
Any other alternative for Minoxidil and Finasteride, without side effects?
I have been using Minoxidil AND Finasteride and I developed Pericarditis. The VA did not warn me of these possibilities.
Today I am aware of the Minoxidil connection bt not about a Finasteride connection.
Is there a clear finasteride connection I can get data on?
Dan
There are reports that this drug (finasteride) can cause pericarditis (a swelling and inflammation in the sack around the heart).
William Rassman, M.D.