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Minoxidil, sold under the brand names Loniten and Rogaine among others, is a medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure and hair loss. It may also be used off-label to promote beard growth and treat nail problems. The drug promotes hair growth, but its effects are fully reversible and it does not slow or prevent hair loss. It is available as a generic medication by prescription in oral tablet form and over-the-counter as a topical liquid or foam. Oral minoxidil is used at high doses to treat high blood pressure and at low doses to treat hair loss, while topical minoxidil is used exclusively for hair loss and related indications. Extended-release oral minoxidil and sublingual minoxidil formulations for hair loss are also being studied and developed.
Read the full article on WikipediaSevere refractory hypertension Clinical criteria: The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient, AND The treatment must be initiated by a consultant physician.
“The mechanism by which minoxidil promotes hair growth is not fully understood. Minoxidil is an adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel opener, causing hyperpolarization of cell membranes. Theoretically, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the follicles. Moreover, minoxidil contains a nitric oxide moiety and may act as a nitric oxide agonist. This may cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, which are then replaced by thicker hairs in a new anagen phase. Minoxidil is a prodrug that is converted by sulfation via the sulfotransferase enzyme SULT1A1 to its active form, minoxidil sulfate. The effect of minoxidil is mediated by adenosine, which triggers intracellular signal transduction via both adenosine A1 receptors and two sub-types of adenosine A2 receptors (A2A and A2B receptors). Minoxidil acts as an activator of the Kir6/SUR2 channel upon selective binding to SUR2. The expression of SUR2B in dermal papilla cells might play a role in the production of adenosine. Minoxidil induces cell growth factors such as VEGF, HGF, IGF-1 and potentiates HGF and IGF-1 actions by the activation of uncoupled sulfonylurea receptor on the plasma membrane of dermal papilla cells.”
“Oral: 3–4 hoursTopical: 22 hours”
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