Logo
Minoxidil Tablets 5mg – 60 Tablets

Minoxidil Tablets 5mg – 60 Tablets

Minoxidil

Medication
  • Minoxidil 5 mg Tablets is an MHRA Authorised prescription Only medicine in the UK, with an approved SmPC and PIL available via the electronic medicines compendium (emc).
  • Marketing authorisation number (UK): PL 49578/0016, held by Roma Pharmaceuticals Limited.
  • Manufactured and controlled in accordance with EU/UK good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards for medicinal products.
  • Aestheticsrx Pharma Ltd is a GPhC Registered pharmacy (Reg No. 9012430), operating under UK pharmacy and medicines legislation with a named superintendent pharmacist.
  • Product labelling includes required statutory information for prescription medicines in the UK, including legal status, active ingredient, excipients with known effect, MA holder details and safety information.
Oral hair loss treatment

Description

Minoxidil Tablets 5mg – 60 Tablets is a prescription-only oral medicine containing 5 mg of the active ingredient minoxidil in each tablet. Minoxidil is a potent peripheral vasodilator licensed in the UK for the treatment of severe hypertension and is sometimes prescribed off-label under specialist supervision for certain types of hair loss. It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, improving blood flow. When used for hair loss, this improved circulation at the level of the hair follicles can help stimulate hair growth and slow further thinning in selected patients. The tablets are taken by mouth and can affect blood pressure and circulation, so they must only be used when specifically prescribed by a healthcare professional, with appropriate baseline assessment and ongoing monitoring.

Bnefits

  • Contains minoxidil, a well-characterised oral vasodilator that relaxes peripheral blood vessels and lowers high blood pressure when used within its licensed indication.
  • Under specialist supervision, oral minoxidil may be used off-label in selected patients to help stimulate hair growth and slow further hair thinning.
  • Convenient oral tablet formulation for patients where an oral route is clinically appropriate compared with topical solutions.
  • Generic product supported by an MHRA-approved Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for 5 mg strength.
  • Tablets are scored and can be divided into equal doses if instructed by the prescriber, allowing flexible dosing as per clinical judgment.
  • Supplied in a 60-tablet pack size suitable for ongoing, monitored treatment courses when prescribed.

Indications

  • Licensed indication (UK SmPC): treatment of severe hypertension, usually in combination with a diuretic and a beta-adrenergic blocking agent or suitable alternative.
  • Clinical practice (off-label use in specialist settings): sometimes used under the guidance of a suitably experienced healthcare professional as part of the management of certain types of hair loss in adults, where potential benefits are judged to outweigh risks.

Composition

  • Active ingredient: minoxidil 5 mg per tablet.
  • Excipients (as listed in UK SmPC for Minoxidil 5 mg Tablets): lactose monohydrate (approximately 111.63 mg per tablet), microcrystalline cellulose (E460), maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate (E572).

Formulation

  • Pharmaceutical form: tablet for oral administration.
  • Appearance: oval, white to off-white tablets, approximately 5.3 mm in width by 10.5 mm in length, with a score line on one side and “5” debossed on the other; the tablet can be divided into equal doses.
  • Strength: 5 mg minoxidil per tablet.
  • Pharmacotherapeutic group: vasodilators, ATC code C02DC01.

Packaging

  • Pack size: 60 tablets.
  • Blister presentation: opaque PVC/PVDC/Aluminium blisters, 10 tablets per blister strip.
  • Outer carton labelled with product name (Minoxidil 5 mg Tablets), strength, quantity (60 tablets), active ingredient, excipients with known effect (lactose), marketing authorisation details and expiry date.

Usage

  • Prescription-only medicine: must only be taken when prescribed and supervised by a suitably qualified healthcare professional.
  • For oral use only: tablets are swallowed whole with water; do not crush or chew unless specifically advised by the prescriber.
  • The 5 mg tablet is scored and can be divided into equal doses if your prescriber instructs you to take half tablets; remaining half tablets should not be stored for later use unless the patient information specifically allows this.
  • Always take the medicine exactly as directed on the prescription label and by your prescriber; do not change the dose or frequency on your own.
  • Because oral minoxidil can significantly affect blood pressure, it is usually prescribed together with other medicines (for example a diuretic and a beta-blocker) in its licensed indication for severe hypertension, and requires regular monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, weight and, where appropriate, blood tests and clinical review.
  • When used off-label for hair loss, treatment regimens, monitoring and duration must be determined by the prescribing clinician, taking into account cardiovascular risk and other comorbidities.
  • Do not stop taking minoxidil suddenly without medical advice; your prescriber will advise how and when to adjust or discontinue therapy if needed.
  • If you miss a dose, follow the advice given in the patient leaflet or by your prescriber; do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose unless instructed.
  • Seek immediate medical advice if you develop symptoms such as chest pain, severe shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heartbeat, fainting, marked swelling of ankles/legs, or sudden unexplained weight gain.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to minoxidil or to any of the excipients listed in the product information (e.g. lactose monohydrate).
  • Presence of a phaeochromocytoma (hormone-secreting tumour, usually near the kidneys), because minoxidil may stimulate catecholamine release via its antihypertensive action.
  • Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product due to its lactose content.
  • Use in pregnancy is not recommended; exposure in pregnancy has been associated with neonatal hypertrichosis in some reports.
  • Breast-feeding is generally not recommended during treatment, as minoxidil is excreted in human milk and a risk to the nursing infant cannot be excluded.
  • Use is restricted and requires specialist assessment in patients with significant heart disease (e.g. heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, pericardial disease) or severe renal impairment; it should only be initiated where appropriate monitoring and concomitant therapy can be ensured.

Adverse Effects

  • Very common: hypertrichosis (increased hair growth), which often appears 3–6 weeks after starting therapy, typically beginning on the face and potentially reversible within 1–6 months following discontinuation.
  • Common: fluid retention and oedema, including peripheral oedema; tachycardia; ECG changes (T-wave alterations); weight gain related to salt and water retention.
  • Uncommon or rare: pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade; pleural effusion; angina pectoris or worsening of existing angina; gastrointestinal disturbance; breast tenderness.
  • Haematological: leucopoenia and thrombocytopenia have been rarely reported.
  • Metabolic/biochemical: increases in blood urea or creatinine in some patients, particularly those with underlying renal impairment.
  • Dermatological: changes in hair colour, rash, bullous dermatitis or very rare severe skin reactions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome have been reported.
  • Other: dizziness, postural hypotension or faintness, particularly when initiating therapy or adjusting dose; these may affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.
  • As with all medicines, additional adverse reactions may occur; patients are advised to read the patient leaflet and report suspected side effects via national reporting schemes (e.g. MHRA Yellow Card in the UK).

Storage Conditions

  • This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions under normal circumstances, as per the UK SmPC.
  • Keep the blisters in the outer carton to protect the tablets and keep them out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton and blister.
  • Do not use if the pack is damaged or shows signs of tampering.
  • Dispose of any unused tablets in accordance with local requirements for disposal of medicinal products; do not throw away via wastewater or household waste.
  • Store at normal room temperature away from excessive heat, moisture and direct sunlight.

Duration

Duration of treatment is determined individually by the prescriber. For its licensed use in severe hypertension, minoxidil may be required as long-term therapy with regular monitoring. When used off-label for hair loss under specialist supervision, treatment is typically continued for many months or longer, with visible effects on hair growth often taking several months of continuous use; continuation or adjustment depends on clinical response and tolerability.

Onset

After oral administration, minoxidil is rapidly absorbed and reaches peak plasma concentrations within about one hour; its antihypertensive effects develop as vascular resistance falls and may last for several days. In the context of hair loss management, noticeable changes in hair density or growth usually require several months of consistent therapy before becoming evident.

Browse more Medication

Top Treatments

Top Cities in the UK