These are some of the adverse side-effects that may result from the
use of Rogaine (minoxidil) on the scalp and hair:
* Scalp irritation, dryness, itching, scaling, and redness
* Hirsutism (increase in unwanted body hair)
* Allergic contact dermatitis
* Worsening of hair loss
* Acne
* Rapid heart rate
* Headache
* Nausea and diarrhea
* Visual disturbances
* Edema (water retention)
Below I have gathered excerpts from a number of websites which discuss
possible side-effects of this drug. For copyright reasons, I have
posted only a brief section from each source; for information in more
depth, you may want to read some of these articles in their entirety.
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"Conventional medicines used to treat male pattern baldness are
designed to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Topical
application of minoxidil (RogaineŽ) and taking oral finasteride
(PropeciaŽ) have been shown to inhibit this conversion and to increase
hair growth, but both medications have been linked with several
adverse side effects, including fast heart rate, headaches, impotence,
and decreased libido."
New Hope Natural Media Online
http://www.newhope.com/news.cfm?news=1172
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"Minoxidil was originally approved to treat high blood pressure. Side
effects are unusual but Regaine should not be used by people with a
history of heart problems, sudden weight gain, chest pains, fainting,
or rapid heartbeat."
About Men's Health
http://menshealth.about.com/library/weekly/aa020703a.htm
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"What are the most common side effects of minoxidil application?
The most common side effects of minoxidil include irritation of the
scalp, dryness, itching and redness. Allergic contact dermatitis is
also possible.
Because minoxidil is applied topically and has relatively poor skin
penetration, little gets into the blood stream. Systemic side effects
such as an increase in heart rate is unusual.
In some women, hair above the eyebrows and over the cheek bones may
become more prominent. This usually disappears after one year even
with continued use of minoxidil 2%. If the minoxidil is stopped the
extra facial hair usually disappears in one to six months."
Pharmacy.ca
http://www.pharmacy.ca/htfhl.shtml
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"Topical minoxidil is generally well tolerated with dermatological
adverse effects being the only side effects usually reported. These
include irritant or allergic contact dermatitis and hair growth in
undesirable areas... Topical minoxidil should not be used in pregnant
or nursing women. Minoxidil can cross the placental barrier and is
excreted into breast milk...
Possible Side Effects of Minoxidil:
Headache, dizziness, faintness, and lightheadedness have been reported
with topical minoxidil.
Rarely, cardiovascular side effects have ocurred with topical
minoxidil. Edema, salt and water retention, pericardial effusion,
pericarditis, tamponade, tachycardia, and angina have been reported
with oral minoxidil. Patients with underlying heart disease may be at
increased risk for these or other cardiovascular adverse effects.
Rare cases of generalized hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) have
been associated with topically applied minoxidil. Eczema, irritant
dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis have also been reported.
Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have been reported.
Nonspecific allergic reactions, such as hives, allergic rhinitis,
facial swelling, and sensitivity have rarely been reported.
Systemic side effects are uncommon since very little minoxidil is
absorbed after topical application. Exacerbation of hair loss/alopecia
has been reported early in the treatment.
Despite low levels of systemic absorption topical (2%) minoxidil has
been associated with cardiac changes.
Visual disturbances, including decreased visual acuity, have been
reported."
Altruis Biomedical Network: E-Minoxidil
http://www.e-minoxidil.com/
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"Some people get benefit from minoxidil, others don't. It seems to
work better in women than in men. Minoxidil is much better at helping
people retain and improve the hair they have than in growing new
hair...
Common cutaneous adverse reactions include; erythema, scaling,
pruritus, dermatitis, itching or skin rash. Sunburn should be avoided
while using minoxidil as some dermatologists have suggested minoxidil
exacerbates the tissue damage.
Rare events include; acne at site of application, burning of the
scalp, increased hair loss, inflammation or soreness at root of hair,
reddened skin, swelling of the face, and an intolerance to tobacco.
Usually, topical minoxidil will only act within the skin, but
sometimes minoxidil will enter the blood stream and in doing so could
have systemic effects. Signs and symptoms of too much medicine being
absorbed into the body include:
Blurred vision or other changes in vision, chest pain, decrease of
sexual ability or desire, fast or irregular heartbeat, flushing,
headache, lightheadedness, numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or
face, swelling of face, hands, feet, or lower legs, and rapid weight
gain.
Some women (and very rarely some men) may experience hair growth in
areas where minoxidil was not applied. This excess hair growth can
occur anywhere on the body but most typically it occurs on the face
(cheeks and forehead), or on the arms. The excess hair growth is fully
reversible if treatment is discontinued once the side effect is
noted."
Keratin.com
http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnesstreatments/minoxidil/003minoxidilsideeffects.shtml
Keratin.com: What are the side effects of minoxidil references
http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnesstreatments/minoxidil/003minoxidilsideeffects.shtml#02
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"Although extensive clinical trials with minoxidil have not revealed
evidence that enough minoxidil is absorbed to cause systemic effects,
some absorption of minoxidil from the skin does occur and the
potential exists for systemic effects such as salt water retention,
generalized and local oedema, pericardial effusion, pericarditis,
tamponade, tachycardia, angina, or potentiation of the orthostatic
hypotension produced by peripheral vasodilators."
In-House Drugstore
http://www.inhousedrugstore.com/hair-loss/headway-information.html
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"What are the possible side effects of minoxidil topical?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
using minoxidil topical and seek emergency medical attention:
ˇ an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing;
closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face;
or hives);
ˇ chest pain;
ˇ irregular or very fast heartbeats;
ˇ dizziness or lightheadedness; or
ˇ fainting.
• Continue to use minoxidil topical and talk to your doctor when it
is convenient if you experience
ˇ itching, redness, dryness, or flaking of the scalp; or
ˇ a headache."
RXlist
http://www.rxlist.com/frame/display.cgi?drug=ROGAINE
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It should be noted that, although rare systemic effects have been
reported, Rogaine is generally a very safe drug when applied
topically. Scalp dryness, itching, and allergic contact dermatitis are
the main problems reported by users. During clinical trials, several
deaths occurred, but none of the deaths were attributed to use of the
drug:
"Eight deaths that occurred during Upjohn-sponsored clinical trials of
topical minoxidil and two deaths in subjects who used extemporaneous
formulations of the drug are summarized. Of the eight patients in
clinical trials, five had cardiovascular abnormalities and two had
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related pneumonia. One patient died
of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. One of the subjects who was using
extemporaneous topical minoxidil had hypertension and arteriosclerotic
disease and the other died of a myocardial infarction. There is little
likelihood of significant adverse effects attributable to topical
minoxidil because of its low systemic absorption. The evidence
suggests that these deaths were the result of causes other than use of
the drug."
Keratin.com
http://www.keratin.com/ac/baldnesstreatments/minoxidil/525minoxidilreference.shtml
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Search terms used:
"rogaine" + "side effects"
"minoxidil" + "side effects"
"rogaine" + "adverse effects"
"minoxidil" + "adverse effects"
"rogaine" + "danger(s)"
"minoxidil" + "danger(s)
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I hope this information is helpful. If anything is unclear, or if a
link does not function, please request clarification; I'll be glad to
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
