MINOXIDIL - ORAL
Common Brand Name(s): Loniten
Phonetic Pronunciation: (min-OX-ih-dill)
Information last revised October 2010
What does MINOXIDIL-ORAL look like?
minoxidil 2.5 mg Tab
minoxidil 2.5 mg Tab
minoxidil 10 mg Tab
minoxidil 10 mg Tab
minoxidil 2.5 mg Tab
minoxidil 10 mg Tab
Uses:
Minoxidil is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Minoxidil is called a vasodilator and works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
How To Use
This medicine comes with a Patient Information Leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once or twice a day or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may start you at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. The usual maximum dose for adults is 100 milligrams each day. Take this medication and all your blood pressure medications regularly in order to get the most benefit. To help you remember, take them at the same time(s) each day. It is important to continue to take your medications even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased. It may take several days to weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens or does not improve (high blood pressure readings).
Drug Interactions
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: guanethidine. Check the labels on all your nonprescription medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Low-dose aspirin should be continued if it has been prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure, blood minerals, kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your blood pressure. Discuss this with your doctor.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
Precautions
Before taking minoxidil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: recent heart attack (within the last month), certain type of tumor (pheochromocytoma). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain lung problem (pulmonary hypertension), heart problems (e.g., chest pain, heart failure), kidney disease, liver disease, stroke. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk but is unlikely to have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Side Effects
Dizziness, drowsiness, and tiredness may occur while taking this medication, especially during the first few weeks as your body adjusts to the lower blood pressure. This is normal. Continue taking the medication as directed. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: abdominal pain/swelling, easy bleeding/bruising, difficulty breathing (especially when lying down), dry cough, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, signs of severe infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), swelling of the hands/ankles/feet, weight gain of more than 5 pounds. Minoxidil may cause increased growth or darkening of fine body hairs. If this is bothersome, consult your doctor. When you stop taking the medication, the hair will usually return to normal within 1 to 6 months. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest/jaw/left arm pain, confusion, severe heartburn, hearing/vision loss, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Warning
Minoxidil may cause serious heart problems or worsen chest pain (angina). Therefore, this medication is only used when other treatments have not worked well or cannot be taken. Minoxidil has caused very serious heart and lung problems when used on its own. Therefore, your doctor will prescribe other medications to prevent these problems. It is very important to keep using these medications exactly as directed by your doctor during minoxidil treatment. A "water pill" (diuretic) is given to stop the body from holding onto too much water and salt (fluid retention). A beta blocker (e.g., propranolol) or other heart medication is also given to prevent the heart from working too hard. These medications are usually started before your first dose of minoxidil. Your doctor will follow you closely while you are taking minoxidil. Keep all medical/lab appointments. Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken guanethidine before starting this medication because taking guanethidine along with minoxidil may cause serious problems. Your doctor may want to start minoxidil while you are in the hospital if you are taking guanethidine.
This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
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