Low dose oral minoxidil
Low dose oral minoxidil is an effective drug that combats hair shedding and hair thinning.
What is minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a medication primarily used to treat hair loss. It is available as a topical solution or foam and is commonly applied to the scalp.
Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral medication for high blood pressure, and was found to have the side effect of promoting hair growth, leading to its use in treating conditions such as androgenetic alopecia in first a lotion and then a foam form.
In the past number of years there has been a renewed use of the oral form (tablets) at very low doses. This is known as low dose oral minoxidil or LDOM. It can be used for pattern or genetic hair loss, hair shedding, alopecia areata and to support normal hair growth in patients with scarring hair loss to help them camouflage the areas of loss.
How does minoxidil work?
Minoxidil works by stimulating hair follicles and increasing blood flow to the area where it's applied. This promotes and prolongs the hair growth cycle and can slow down or even reverse hair thinning in some individuals. It can push dormant hairs back into the growth phase.
Although the exact mechanism of action isn't fully understood, minoxidil is believed to encourage hair follicles to shift from the resting phase (telogen) to the active growth phase (anagen). By prolonging the anagen phase, more hair remains in the growth stage, which results in an increase in hair density and the prevention of further hair loss.
Alternatives to oral minoxidil
| Treatment type | How it works | Effectiveness | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral minoxidil | Increases blood flow to hair follicles, prolongs growth phase through oral application | Effective for some, particularly if topical treatments fail | Loniten |
| Topical minoxidil | Increases blood flow to hair follicles, prolongs growth phase through topical application | Effective for many, especially in early-stage hair loss | Rogaine, Regaine |
| Finasteride | Reduces DHT levels | Highly effective in men, particularly for androgenetic alopecia | Propecia, Proscar |
| Dutasteride | Inhibitor that acts as a potent DHT blocker | Potentially more effective than finasteride, mainly used in men | Avodart |
| Spironolactone | Blocks androgen receptors and reduces androgen production | Effective for women with androgenetic alopecia, less so for men | Aldactone |
| Platelet-rich plasma | Uses patient's own platelets to stimulate hair growth | Effective in some cases, particularly when combined with other treatments | N/A |
Potential side effects
Oral minoxidil does carry a higher risk of side effects compared to its topical alternative. These include:
Is oral minoxidil effective?
Over the years, oral minoxidil has gained attention as a treatment for hair loss, particularly for those who don't respond well to topical treatments.
Clinical studies and anecdotal reports have shown that low-dose oral minoxidil can be effective in promoting hair regrowth in both men and women with pattern baldness. The response varies among individuals, but many users experience noticeable improvements in hair density and thickness. Some patients who did not see results with topical minoxidil have found oral minoxidil to be more effective.
The exact dosage for hair loss treatment often ranges from 1.25 mg to 5 mg daily, depending on the patient's response and tolerance to the medication. Oral minoxidil can also be combined with other treatments like finasteride for enhanced results.
What does oral minoxidil treat?
Minoxidil is primarily used to treat hair loss conditions, most notably androgenetic alopecia, which is commonly known as male or female pattern baldness. It is also sometimes used to treat other types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, where the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss in patches.
Is oral minoxidil better than topical?
Whether oral minoxidil is better than topical minoxidil depends on the individual's response to treatment, their tolerance for side effects, and specific hair loss conditions. Topical treatments are sometimes preferred due to their localised action and lack of systemic effects that could potentially cause unwanted hair at other sites.
Oral minoxidil may be more effective for some individuals, particularly those who do not respond well to topical treatments. Because it is absorbed systemically, oral minoxidil can provide a more consistent dose, potentially leading to more uniform hair growth.
Some patients who experience irritation or poor results with topical minoxidil find that oral minoxidil works better for them. Additionally, oral minoxidil may be more convenient for some people since it doesn't require daily application to the scalp.
Oral minoxidil FAQs
Accreditations & memberships
Our consultants are members of leading UK and international dermatology and hair specialist bodies.
- Royal College of Physicians
- European Hair Research Society (EHRS)
- British Association of Dermatologists
- British Hair & Nail Society
- American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD)
- European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (EADV)