Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Minox. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Minox with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using Minox. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• backache
• changes in hair colour or texture
• cold- or flu-like symptoms (e.g., runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat)
• continuous itching or skin rash
• dental problems
• eye irritation
• irritation, redness, dryness in the area where medication was applied
• muscle strain or spasm

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Acne where medication was applied
• burning of the scalp
• changes in blood pressure
• dizziness
• feeling faint
• headache
• inflammation or soreness at the hair root
• persistent local rash
• rapid heartbeat
• rapid weight gain
• sudden weight gain
• swelling of the hands or feet
• temporary hair loss
• unwanted facial hair growth

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Minox.

This medication is available as a topical solution.

Do not use Minox if you:

• are allergic to minoxidil or any ingredients of the solution
• are bald due to non-hereditary factors (e.g., caused by illnesses such as iron deficiency, Thyroid disorders, or medications such as cancer chemotherapy)
• have hair loss associated with childbirth
• have a skin condition on the scalp (e.g., psoriasis or sunburns)
• are or may be pregnant or are nursing
• are using other skin medications or dressings on the scalp (e.g., for psoriasis)
• have shaved, broken, inflamed, irritated, infected, or severely sunburned skin on the scalp
• have untreated high blood pressure
• have recently discontinued certain medications such as birth control or cancer chemotherapy
• have certain grooming habits (e.g., cornrowing, tight ponytails)

There may be an interaction between minoxidil topical solution and any of the following:

• anthralin
• blood-pressure-lowering medications
• Cyclosporine
• other topical (applied to the skin) medications
• topical corticosteroids (e.g., betamethasone, Hydrocortisone)
• tretinoin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Minox. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Minox.

Effectiveness: Minoxidil topical solution may not work for everyone. Minox is for the scalp of someone who has male pattern baldness or female hair loss or thinning. It has not been shown to work for someone who has a receding hairline. Shedding of hair may occur within 2 to 6 weeks of starting to use this product.  If shedding persists beyond 2 weeks, contact your doctor.  If you do not see any results after 6 months of using this product, contact your doctor.

Eye irritation: Minoxidil will cause irritation and burning of the eyes and nasal passages. If the medication comes in contact with the eyes, flush the eyes well with cool water.

Hair treatments: It is not known if hair colouring, perming, or relaxing agents affect Minox. To avoid irritation to the scalp, make sure Minox has been washed off the hair and scalp before using these products. Do not reapply minoxidil for 24 hours after using a chemical treatment to make sure your scalp has not been irritated by the perm or colour treatment.

Heart disease: Although Minox is intended to be used as a topical (surface only) treatment for the scalp, it may be absorbed into the bloodstream and have an effect on heart disease. People with heart disease should discuss with their doctor how Minox may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Minox, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Minox should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Minox, stop taking it and contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Minox passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using minoxidil, it may affect your baby. Women who are breast-feeding should not use minoxidil.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Minox have not been established for children under 18 years of age.

Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of using Minox have not been established for men over the age of 65 years.

Minoxidil belongs to a group of medications known as hair regrowth treatments. It is used to treat male pattern baldness. It is not meant for baldness due to nonhereditary factors (e.g., baldness caused by illnesses such as iron deficiency or medications such as cancer chemotherapy). The foam formulation of minoxidil is also used to treat female pattern hair loss or thinning.

When applied to the scalp, it often stimulates hair growth. The exact way it works is not known, but it is thought to improve the blood flow around the hair follicle and stimulate the hair follicle to grow hair.

It usually takes at least 4 to 6 months of use for the medication to work. Hair may fall out when minoxidil is first used. This is a temporary effect of the medication. Once hair starts to grow, it will stay for as long as the medication is used. The hair will begin to fall out again a few months after the applications are stopped.

Minox (Minoxidil-topical) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Minox (Minoxidil-topical) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Minox (Minoxidil-topical) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Minox (Minoxidil-topical) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using Minox (Minoxidil-topical), speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Minox (Minoxidil-topical) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Minox (Minoxidil-topical) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use Minox (Minoxidil-topical) if their doctor has not prescribed it.