Minoxidil Oral

Minoxidil is used with other drugs to treat high blood pressure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Minoxidil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take minoxidil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Minoxidil controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take minoxidil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking minoxidil without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Minoxidil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
increase in size or darkness of fine body hair</li>
<li>
dizziness</li>
<li>
breast tenderness</li>
<li>
rash</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
nausea</li>
<li>
vomiting</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
fast heartbeat</li>
<li>
swollen ankles or feet</li>
<li>
unexplained weight gain</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing</li>
<li>
fainting</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking minoxidil, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to minoxidil or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for high blood pressure, diuretics ('water pills'), guanethidine, and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease, a heart attack, pheochromocytoma, or kidney disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking minoxidil. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking minoxidil. Alcohol can make the side effects from minoxidil worse.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.