38304-91-5
SAFETY INFORMATION
| Signal word | Warning |
|---|---|
| Pictogram(s) |
 Exclamation Mark Irritant GHS07 |
| GHS Hazard Statements |
H302:Acute toxicity,oral H315:Skin corrosion/irritation H319:Serious eye damage/eye irritation H335:Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure;Respiratory tract irritation |
| Precautionary Statement Codes |
P305+P351+P338:IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continuerinsing. |
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION
Description
Minoxidil was first introduced as an oral medication for the treatment of severe and recalcitrant hypertension in the 1970s. Coincidentally, physicians observed hair regrowth and generalized hypertrichosis in balding patients, which led to the development of a topical minoxidil formulation for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) first in male and then in female individuals. The 2% minoxidil solution was first launched in 1986, followed by the 5% solution in 1993. Topical minoxidil is a treatment for hair loss and hair loss-related conditions, such as alopecia.
Side effects
Topical minoxidil has been considered safe; however, some patients experienced side effects after application. The most common side effect of Minoxidil solution (MS) is irritant contact dermatitis with the typical symptoms of itching and scaling. The incidence is lower with 2% MS than with 5% MS.
Oral minoxidil is mainly metabolized via the liver by conjugation with glucuronic acid. The metabolized minoxidil is excreted through the kidneys 3–4 hrs after administration, but the vasodilation property may persist for up to 72 hrs. Serious adverse effects, including sodium and fluid retention, and cardiovascular effects (e.g., ischemic heart disease, pericardial effusion, and pulmonary hypertension) have been reported with systemically administered minoxidil. Sodium and fluid retention causes a rise in body weight, and in severe cases, congestive heart failure occurs. This is due to the redistribution of blood flow from the outer to the inner cortex of the kidney, as well as plasma-renin activity. Ischemic heart disease was reported, which might have been due to higher oxygen demand as heart rate and cardiac output increased. Pericardial effusion caused by minoxidil occurs in around 5% of patients with unknown mechanisms. Pulmonary hypertension due to increased pulmonary artery pressure and high cardiac output from minoxidil has also been described. Other adverse effects include hypertrichosis, occasional pulsating headache, itchy eyes, skin rashes such as bullous eruptions, and polymenorrhea.
Uses
Topical minoxidil has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of AGA. Moreover, it has been used as an off-label medication to treat several hair disorders such as alopecia areata (AA), scarring alopecia, and hair shaft disorders as well as to improve body hair growth in other areas including the eyebrows and beard.