Minoxidil

evidence score
hormonal
RogaineLoniten

Potassium channel opener and vasodilator that increases blood flow to hair follicles. Prolongs anagen (growth) phase and enlarges miniaturized follicles. Available OTC topical and off-label oral. Oral low-dose increasingly popular for convenience and efficacy.

Evidence

No score yet

Safety

Unknown safety profile

Clinical Status

Approved

Last Sync

Not synced yet

Last Reviewed

Not reviewed yet

Physician Notes

Oral low-dose minoxidil (2.5mg) is increasingly used off-label with good results and better compliance than topical. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate. Compounded topical formulations often combine with finasteride.

FDA Status:FDA-approved (Rogaine) for topical use. Oral use is off-label.

Monitoring

  • Blood pressure (oral form)
  • Heart rate (oral form)
  • Echocardiogram baseline if oral (some providers)
  • Clinical hair assessment photos q3mo

Contraindications

  • Pheochromocytoma
  • Severe cardiovascular disease (oral form)
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Dosing

Typical
5 %/mg
2.5 %/mgRange10 %/mg
Frequency1-2x/day topical; 2.5-5mg/day oral

Set height & weight in Settings to see your dose.

Pharmacology

Half-life~4 hours (oral)
Onset3-6 months for visible results
Routes
topical
oral

Evidence Score

0 studies indexed
Scoring Factors
Volume(24%)
Quality(24%)
Sample Size(12%)
Consistency(14%)
Replication(8%)
Recency(18%)
Evidence Levels
AScore ≥75 with at least 1 meta-analysis and 3+ RCTs
BScore ≥50 with at least 1 RCT or meta-analysis
CScore ≥25 — observational or animal evidence only
DScore <25 — very limited or preclinical data

Plain-English Snapshot

Minoxidil is currently categorized as a hormonal compound.

Evidence scoring has not been fully computed yet, so interpret this profile as preliminary.

Safety scoring is incomplete. Start conservatively and monitor carefully.

Core mechanism

Potassium channel opener; vasodilator that increases follicular blood flow and prolongs anagen phase

Practical Context

Strongest current signals

No indexed study summaries yet.

Compound Profile