Oral Minoxidil (Lonitab) 5 Mg for hair loss
What is Minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medically approved vasodilator used to successfully treat high blood pressure and hair loss conditions. It was developed in the late 1950s by the Upjohn Company and was initially used for veterinary purposes before being approved for hair loss in 1980. The medication was FDA-approved in 1988 and was marketed under the name Rogaine before being available as a generic medicine.
Minoxidil is a pipero-pyrimidine derivative with a chemical structure of (C9H15N5O). Other than its active ingredient of Minoxidil Sulphate, the solution contains inactive ingredients like water, ethanol, and propylene glycol that enhance the solubility of Minoxidil and facilitate its solubility. Studies have shown that it works on two out of three individuals and is most effective in those below 40.
Hair Loss conditions that may improve with Minoxidil
Studies have shown that pattern hair loss impacts men and women significantly though women are affected more psychologically. While heredity is the most common cause of hair loss, age, hormonal imbalance, alopecia conditions, childbirth, or other illnesses accelerate the process of hair thinning and balding.
Minoxidil has been proven most effective for androgenetic alopecia ( a common form of hair loss referred to as pattern hair loss in men). It shortens the anagen phase to reverse the miniaturization of hair follicles effectively. In addition, it works for telogen effluvium, lichen planopilaris, loose anagen hair syndrome, monilethrix, alopecia areata, and permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
Randomized oral Minoxidil trials on female androgenic alopecia patients with a Ludwig scale I-3-III have shown an improvement of 38% and 23% in hair density in the frontal and vertex areas after 24 weeks.
A meta-analysis of clinical trials has shown that Minoxidil can be used alone as a combination therapy. Chronic telogen effluvium ( non-scarring alopecia ) and chemotherapy-induced alopecia have especially shown effectiveness with Minoxidil.
Oral Minoxidil Working
Minoxidil is a potent arteriolar vasodilator that opens potassium channels on the smooth muscles of the peripheral arteries supplying the hair follicles. Potassium channels play a major role in increasing cell proliferation and cellular DNA synthesis, which is crucial for improving the renewable cell process in the scalp for follicular synthesis.
The positive effect of Minoxidil is majorly exhibited through its metabolite, Minoxidil sulfate, which works on the sulfotransferase enzymes located in hair follicles that help in metabolizing the drug and catalyze the formation of sulfuric acid esters that accelerate hair damage in the scalp.
Animal studies have further shown that Minoxidil prolongs the anagen phase in the dermal papilla and increases follicle size. It even improves anagen follicle percentage by inducing stimulated follicular proliferation and beta-catechin activity. Several hair treatment-based scientific literature confirm the efficacy of topically applied Minoxidil in humans. In particular, patients treated with Minoxidil have shown a significant increase in “nonvellus” hair count starting from baseline.
Doses of oral Minoxidil 5mg
Oral Minoxidil is available in strengths of 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg. But the strength best suited for your condition depends on the intensity of your hair loss and your response to the strengths of Minoxidil.
In an open-label prospective single-arm study conducted on Thirty men aged 24–59 years with AGA types III vertex to V, the use of Minoxidil 5 mg once daily for 24 weeks significantly increased total hair counts from baseline in the twelfth and twenty-fourth week. A 100% improvement was recorded in the photographic assessment of the scalp vertex area, with 43% of patients recording excellent results without adverse reactions or abnormal laboratory findings.
Younger patients had significantly greater hair counts with a visible improvement in hair density.
In comparison, females require a lower dose of the medication. Evidence indicates that oral Minoxidil at lower doses of 0.5-2.5mg/day is beneficial in treating isolated cases of permanent alopecia caused by female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, or chemotherapy. Oral Minoxidil works best at doses of 1mg/day in females and 5 mg/day administered as monotherapy or combined with other medicines.
Oral Minoxidil for hair loss guide
A common starting dose of oral Minoxidil is 0.625mg/day for women and 1.25mg/day for men. But you should take the advice of your health care provider on the strength best suited for your hair growth needs. Sometimes you may be advised a higher strength ranging from 0.625mg to 2.5mg daily. To get this dose, you can get a tablet cutter from the pharmacy and cut a 2.5mg tablet into the required halves or quarters.
It takes Minoxidil 5 mg an hour approximately to obtain a blood concentration of 157 ng/ml. Smaller Minoxidil of 2.5 mg achieves a blood concentration of 28 ng/ml in an hour.
You will not observe immediate results after starting Minoxidil therapy. It may take 6-12 months for the results to become effective. Other than regular medicine intake, lifestyle changes can help optimize Minoxidil’s effectiveness moderately.
Changes in lifestyle when taking oral Minoxidil
Avoiding or cutting down on alcohol is one of the primary lifestyle changes important for Minoxidil’s optimum effects.
Chronic alcohol consumption increases the estrogen hormones, impacting the hair-growth cycle and reducing Minoxidil effectivity. Additionally, high-fat, fried foods or those high in sugar should be avoided while using Minoxidil.
Foods with artificial flavors, tastemakers, additives, preservatives, and colas are avoided as these chemicals form free radicals in the body. Chinese foods made with Ajinomoto are also contraindicated because of the increased risk of adversely affecting the hair. Sprouts, green leafy vegetables, pulses, nuts, and plenty of water daily are encouraged for a balanced diet and provide all the nutrients required for healthy and glowing hair.
FAQs About Oral Minoxidil (Lonitab) 5 Mg
How much Minoxidil to use orally?
Minoxidil is available in strengths of 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10 mg. How much of the Minoxidil is required for your condition depends on your
- Gender ( women are advised lower strengths than men )
- Intensity of hair loss
- The treatment plan of the physician
- Tolerance to Minoxidil
How effective is oral Minoxidil?
It usually takes 8-12 weeks of consistent use to start seeing the results with oral Minoxidil. Several people have reported a slight increase in hair growth within the fourth month. But even then, it can take 6-12 months to observe a visible growth in the volume and intensity of hair.
If Minoxidil works for you, you will observe positive signs like initial hair shedding, increased hair length, and a feeling of thicker hair.
When is oral Minoxidil given for hair loss?
Minoxidil treatment benefits patients who cannot cope with topical Minoxidil therapy or have unsatisfactory results from other hair treatment methods.
What are the side effects of oral Minoxidil?
Increased hair growth in areas other than the scalp, weight gain, fast heartbeat, and chest pain are some risks of oral Minoxidil.
Discontinue Minoxidil if you observe these effects and get urgent medical help. You may be advised to use other medications along with your Minoxidil therapy for safe usage.
Can I stop Minoxidil after one month?
Minoxidil requires at least 2-3 weeks of regular use to start observing the results. Discontinuing its use after one month can cause any ongoing damage repair to wear off and cause hair to start shedding again.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.