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Minoxidil is a vasodilator and originally was exclusively used as an oral drug (Loniten®) to treat high blood pressure. It was, however, discovered to have the interesting side effect of hair growth and reversing baldness, and in the 1980s, Upjohn Corporation produced a topical solution that contained 2% minoxidil to be used to treat baldness and hair loss, under the brand name Rogaine in the United States, and Regaine outside the United States. Avacor is another brand name of minoxidil. Treatments usually include a 5% concentration solutions that are designed for men, while the 2% concentration solutions are designed for women. It is unknown how the drug stimulates hair growth. Minoxidil is a "potassium channel agonist." It contains the chemical structure of Nitric oxide (NO), a blood vessel dilator, and may be a nitric oxide agonist. This may explain Minoxidil's ability to stimulate hair growth and treat hair loss. Minoxidil may also act via activation of Guanylate cyclase, an enzyme involved in vasodilation which also happens to be activated by NO. •
Side effects As a drug to combat hair loss, the most common side effect is itchy scalp. There have been cases of allergic reactions to minoxidil or the non-active ingredient propylene glycol which is found in some forms of the topical version, such as Rogaine. Large amounts of minoxidil can cause hypotension, and it has been found that using petroleum jelly or tretinoin on the scalp with minoxidil can cause too much of the drug absorption by the scalp, as can using the drug on sunburned scalps. If a person uses minoxidil to stop hair loss for a length of time and then stops taking the drug, hair loss will occur again. Other side effects, although not as common, include: All the side effects in the above list except for acne may be an indicator that too much of the drug is being used. It has also been found that the drug can be passed from a mother to a child via breast milk. See also | ||||||||
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