Minoxidil, Oral min-OKS-ih-dil

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vasodilator; antihypertensive

Generic and brand names: minoxidil, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to lower and control high blood pressure. It is given along with other medicines.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• angina
• heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke
• kidney problems
• pheochromocytoma (tumors of the adrenal gland)

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take it regularly every day, even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for limiting salt in your diet.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is within a few hours. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fainting, dizziness, confusion, irregular heartbeat, headache, flushing.

What should I watch out for?

Keep all follow up appointments with your provider. This medicine may increase chest pain, increase how fast your heart beats, or cause other heart problems. Your healthcare provider may ask you to check your pulse regularly and report any rapid heartbeat right away. Ask your healthcare provider what your heart rate should be.

Your healthcare provider will need check your blood pressure and adjust your dosage as needed. You may also need to have lab tests to see how this medicine affects you.

Your healthcare provider may want you to weigh yourself every day so you can report any unexplained swelling, including swelling in your legs or feet.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause fine hair to grow thicker or darker than usual. If increased hair growth becomes a problem, discuss it with your healthcare provider.

Do not use minoxidil topical (Rogaine) for hair loss while you are taking minoxidil tablets. This may cause unwanted side effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening: (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Pounding or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; severe indigestion; trouble breathing (especially when lying down); swelling of legs, feet, face, or abdomen, or any unexplained swelling; flushing; bloating; unusual bleeding or bruising; unexplained sore throat; lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.

Other: Increased hair growth, headache, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• alpha blockers such as prazosin (Minipress) and terazosin (Hytrin)
• angiotensin receptor II blockers such as losartan (Cozaar), losartan/HCTZ (Hyzaar), prazosin (Minipress), and valsartan (Diovan)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), propranolol (Inderal), and timolol
• calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiamate, Tiazac, Cartia XT), felodipine, nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• clonidine (Catapres)
• cold or allergy medicines that contain phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• nitrates such as isosorbide mononitrate (ISMO, Monoket), isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), and nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur)
• diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene/HCTZ (Dyazide, Maxzide)
• methyldopa
• rituximab (Rituxan)
• stimulants such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), caffeine (coffee, cola, tea), diet pills, and methylphenidate (Ritalin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.