Minoxidil

Minoxidil belongs to the vasodilators drug class and is used to treat severe hypertension. It also may be used to treat other conditions as prescribed by your doctor. Minoxidil works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow easily. It is usually used along with other medication. It is available to children and adults in the form of a foam solution.

• Corlopam
• Fenoldopam Mesylate
• hydrALAZINE HCl
• Minoxidil
• Nipride RTU
• Nitropress
• Nitroprusside Sodium
• Nitroprusside Sodium-NaCl
• Sodium Nitroprusside

• Tablet

• By mouth

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to minoxidil, or if you have pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease (especially congestive heart failure or recent heart attack), liver disease, kidney disease (or are on dialysis), or history of a stroke.

If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.

Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Lightheadedness or fainting

Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet

Tightness in chest and trouble breathing

Unusual bleeding or bruising

Unusual tiredness or weakness

Avoid also using minoxidil for hair loss (Rogaine®) while you are taking minoxidil by mouth. Using these medicine together may increase the chances of unwanted side effects.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other blood pressure medicine (such as atenolol, metoprolol, Accupril®, Altace®, Cardizem®, Cardura®, Hytrin®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Monopril®, Plendil®, Prinivil®, Tiazac®, Toprol®, Vasotec®, Zestril®).

Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

• Swelling in the hands, ankles, or feet
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Tightness in chest and trouble breathing
• Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect)
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever, chills, sore throat
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Change in color or growth of facial or body hair
• Problems with vision
• Breast swelling or tenderness (in both men and women)
• Weight gain