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What is Minoxidil
Minoxidil (2,4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine 3-oxide), a pyrimidine N-oxide, often known as Rogaine, is a vasodilator medication originally developed to treat severe refractory hypertension. It is now widely used to treat androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in men and women. Minoxidil is available as a prescription-only generic drug in the form of oral tablets, as well as over-the-counter medicine as a topical liquid or foam. When it comes to hypertension, minoxidil is often reserved for individuals who have failed to respond to at least two medications plus a diuretic. Pharmacologically, minoxidil acts as a potent direct-acting peripheral vasodilator that lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing resistance to blood flow.
Macsen Laboratories is the supplier of high-quality Minoxidil USP.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| SR. No | Criteria | Limit/Specification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Appearance (Color) | White to off-white crystalline powder |
| 2 | Solubility | Soluble in alcohol and in propylene glycol, sparingly soluble in methanol, slightly soluble in water. Practically insoluble in chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate and in hexane |
| 3 | Identification By IR Absorption spectrum |
The infrared absorption spectrum of the sample should be concordant with the IR absorption spectrum of Minoxidil working standard |
| 4 | Assay by HPLC (on dried basis) | NLT 97.0% and NMT 103.0% |
| 5 | Impurities A. Residue on ignition B. Organic Impurities by HPLC Total Impurities |
NMT 0.5% NMT 1.5% |
| 6 | Loss on drying | NMT 0.5% |
| 7 | Residual solvents by GC-HS Methanol Piperidine |
Not more than 3000 ppm Not more than 1000 ppm |
How does Minoxidil work
The exact method through which minoxidil stimulates hair growth is unknown. Minoxidil is an adenosine 5′-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener that causes cell membrane hyperpolarization. Theoretically, it allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to reach the follicles by enlarging blood vessels and opening potassium channels. It also has a nitric oxide moiety, which might make it a nitric oxide agonist. This may cause telogen-phase follicles to shed, only to be replaced by stronger hairs in the anagen phase.
Adenosine, which activates intracellular signal transduction via both adenosine A1 receptors and two subtypes of adenosine A2 receptors (A2A and A2B receptors), mediates the impact of minoxidil. Minoxidil selectively binds to SUR2 and functions as an activator of the Kir6/SUR2 channel. It activates the uncoupled sulfonylurea receptor on the plasma membrane of dermal papilla cells, which increases cell growth factors such as VEGF, HGF, and IGF-1 and potentiates HGF and IGF-1 activities.
When administered as a vasodilator, Minoxidil works by opening potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle cells that are sensitive to adenosine triphosphate, thus relaxing and enlarging certain small blood vessels in your body so that blood flows through them more easily. This helps to reduce your blood pressure.
Minoxidil and Its Synergistic Effects with Other Formulations
Minoxidil and Finasteride: Minoxidil is used in combination with Finasteride, where Minoxidil promotes blood circulation and stimulates hair regrowth, while Finasteride helps inhibit 5α-reductase, which reduces DHT hormone levels.
Minoxidil and Redensyl: Minoxidil is also used in combination with redensyl, a plant-derived hair growth active that acts on hair follicle stem cells and dermal papilla cells and helps to enhance scalp microcirculation.
Minoxidil and Aminexil: A combination of minoxidil and aminexil is added to hair tonics and serum, where aminexil restricts the collagen buildup around hair follicles to reduce hair root hardening, and minoxidil acts as a growth stimulant.
Uses of Minoxidil
- The most common use of Minoxidil is in topical therapy for hair loss.
- It is useful in promoting hair growth in both men and women with androgenic alopecia.
- For the continuous support of existing hair follicles and the maintenance of any experienced hair regrowth, minoxidil must be used consistently.
- It is also used for the treatment of severe hypertension.
Side Effects of Minoxidil
- Minoxidil is typically well accepted when administered topically, however inflammation of the eye, itching, redness, or irritation in the treated region, and undesired hair growth elsewhere on the body are all frequent adverse effects.
- Hair loss/alopecia has been observed to worsen.
- Rashes, itching, breathing difficulties, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, chest discomfort, dizziness, fainting, tachycardia, headache, abrupt and unexplained weight gain, or swelling of the hands and feet are all possible adverse effects.
- Erectile dysfunction, depression, anxiety, diminished libido, and skin diseases are all rare adverse effects.
- The negative effect of minoxidil therapy is temporary hair loss, which is referred to as “shedding.”
FAQs
Q. Is Minoxidil safe?
Minoxidil is a medicine for hair loss in men and women that has been approved by Health Canada and the US FDA. Topical preparations containing 2% and 5% of the medication are available. This OTC medication is regarded as safe; however, it should be used with caution.
Q. What is the effectiveness of Minoxidil for women?
Minoxidil is the only drug that is FDA-approved to treat female pattern baldness. It slows down or stops hair lossby prolonging the growth phase of the hair follicles.
Q. How to use minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a promising treatment for hereditary hair loss and androgenetic alopecia. A 5% minoxidil solution should be applied to a clean, dry scalp and gently massaged into the affected areas. After application, allow the scalp to remain dry for 2–4 hours for optimal absorption.
Q. Is minoxidil safe for hair?
Minoxidil is safe and FDA-approved and is widely used as a topical treatment for hair growth. However, it is always advisable to use it only on the recommendation of a healthcare professional, as some individuals may experience side effects.
Q. Who should avoid using minoxidil?
Minoxidil is a vasodilator and may cause problems in people with a history of heart disease. Individuals with eczema or known hypersensitivity to the medication, as well as women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should also avoid using it.
Q. How long does minoxidil take to work?
Minoxidil does not work immediately; it generally takes 6–8 weeks to start showing effectiveness. However, results depend on the individual, and visible improvement typically appears within 3–6 months of consistent use.
Q. Does minoxidil work for a beard?
Minoxidil is well known as an effective treatment for scalp hair growth, and clinical studies show that it can also help to promote beard growth.