Minoxidil is currently the only FDA approved hair loss treatment that can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. It is also the oldest and most thoroughly tested drug on the market today. Designed as a treatment for high blood pressure, it was soon discovered that the drug had an interesting side effect. That is, it helped to slow hair loss and even regrew new hair.
A few years later, the drug was approved by the FDA, and per their requirements, they were forced to disclose all of the side effects patients reported during clinical trials. While it is true that nearly every drug has a few minor side effects, Minoxidil has quite a few.
What are the side effects of Minoxidil ? Unlike most over the counter medications, Minoxidil has a few serious side effects. The most common one is a severe allergic reaction that can result in hives, itching, swelling of the face and mouth, and even difficulty breathing. Of course, this is an extremely rare reaction and it occurs in less than one per cent of the patients that use the drug.
As you might expect, most of the side effects associated with the drug are relatively minor. For example, the most common one is an itchy scalp. This is the result of the alcohol in the solution, which can and often does dry out the scalp and may even cause dandruff.
Another fairly common side effect of Minoxidil is unwanted hair growth or a slight change in the colour or texture of hair. It is quite normal for hair to become slightly darker when a patient is using the drug on a regular basis. In the end, of course, the vast majority of users will experience no noticeable side effects.