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Minoxidil
In order to stimulate hair growth and slow down the hair loss process,
a drug called Minoxidil is often used. Minoxidil is also marketed
in the common brand name Rogaine
- which copntains approximately 5% Minoxodil in Rogaine
for men, and about 2% Minoxodil in Rogaine
for Women.
Minoxodil is more advisable for people under the age of forty, whose
hair loss is recent. It does not affect receding hairlines and it
does not cure
hair loss. If the drug is stopped, most new hair is lost within
a few months.
Minoxidil is applied locally to your scalp and comes in the form of a liquid. It could be applied once or twice a day. Nevertheless, the directions on the package and the prescription of the doctor should be followed carefully. It should not be used more often than the prescribed dose.
An overdose of the medicine may cause increased side effects. In any case, the drug has to be used for at least a period of four months at a stretch in order to see some results. Sometimes it takes almost a year before any effect is visible.
The bottle of Minoxidil has three special applicators, and you have to choose one of the applicators and use it on the bottle. Use the applicator brush or the spray applicator to apply the liquid to the scalp. If you use your fingertips to apply some of the medication, wash them thoroughly after the application.
Minoxidil should be applied only to dry hair and the scalp. It should not be applied to any other body areas, and care should be taken to keep it away from the eyes and sensitive skin. If it accidentally comes in contact with these areas, wash thoroughly, and if there is any irritation, consult the doctor immediately. The medication should never be applied to a sunburned or irritated scalp.
Several side effects are associated with Minoxidil; especially scalp itching, dryness, scaling, flaking, irritation or burning. The doctor should be consulted if any of the symptoms occur. Further, there could be long-term side effects like weight gain, swelling of the face, ankles, hands or stomach and sometimes difficulty in breathing especially when lying down.
Often pain in the chest and a rapid heartbeat could also be a side effect of the drug. Lightheadedness could be another serious side effect, which needs proper treatment immediately.
Unwanted hair growth may sometimes occur next to the treated areas or in areas where the medicine has been transferred by mistake. If the hair growth adjacent to the treatment is unwanted, it could be particularly distressing for women, especially when the face is involved.
In extreme cases there could be bigger risks like changes of vision, most commonly blurred vision, very low blood pressure, decreased sexual desire, flushing of the skin, headache, and numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or face. There could also be partial or complete impotence.
There is another form of Minoxidil which can be taken orally and is used to treat high blood pressure. The side effects of this drug are hair growth and reversal of male pattern baldness. Oral Minoxidil should also be used only under medical supervision so that large amounts of the drug are not absorbed into the body. Large amounts will increase the severity of the symptoms and cause hypertension.
Mothers who are breastfeeding should not use Minoxidil. It is a strong
drug and is usually prescribed when other medications have failed
to treat the condition.
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