Oral Minoxidil (Rogaine) for Hair Loss?

This question comes from a member of our [tag]hair loss[/tag] social community and discussion forums: 

I read online about a [tag]hair restoration[/tag] physician in another country who prescribes [tag]oral minoxidil[/tag] ([tag]oral Rogaine[/tag]) for his patients. However, it doesn’t seem like it is available in the U.S. (where I live). Can I take oral [tag]minoxidil[/tag] for my hair loss?

In the United States, oral minoxidil is not approved for the treatment of any type of hair loss. Oral minoxidil is a serious anti-hypertensive (high blood pressure) medication; so serious, in fact, that most who use it must also take a secondary medication to prevent fluid accumulation and potential damage to vital organs (like the kidneys).

Due to the serious safety profile, it is not approved for the treatment of [tag]androgenic alopecia[/tag] (male pattern hair loss). In fact, outside of refractory hypertension, it is not used much period. I can’t truly comment on the prescribing habits of hair loss physicians in other countries, nor am I sure what type of experience this doctor has with oral minoxidil. I can say, however, that the drug has not been thoroughly reviewed and approved for hair loss (like the topical version of minoxidil (Rogaine)). 
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Blake Bloxham – formerly “Future_HT_Doc”

Editorial Assistant and Forum Co-Moderator for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning

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