Minoxidil Tablets 2.5mg - Oral Use

Buy oral minoxidil for hair loss

You can buy minoxidil tablets only if the treatment has been approved and prescribed by one of our clinicians.   

Minoxidil tablets were originally developed and used to treat high blood pressure. However, oral minoxidil can now be prescribed to treat hair loss, but only off-label. 

This means that while minoxidil is not officially licensed for that use, the prescriber has judged it to be in your best interest to use the treatment on the basis of available evidence.  

You’ll normally only be prescribed oral minoxidil for hair loss if you haven’t seen the desired effects using a minoxidil spray, or can't use topical minoxidil for another reason, such as sensitive skin. 

How do minoxidil tablets work? 

Minoxidil tablets are an oral hair loss treatment that works from the inside out to help restore your hair's natural growth. 

It’s not fully understood how minoxidil treats hair loss. However, it’s thought that one of the possible reasons it works is that, as a vasodilator, it gently widens the blood vessels in your scalp, allowing more nutrients and oxygen to reach your hair follicles. 

This means it boosts blood flow to where it's needed most, waking up dormant follicles and encouraging them to start producing thicker, healthier hair again. 

Topical vs oral minoxidil for hair loss

When it comes to treating hair loss, oral and topical minoxidil both work the same way. A 2023 study showed little difference in how effective oral and topical minoxidil are at treating hair loss. 

However, because they're taken differently, they can have slightly different side effects. There’s also a greater risk of whole-body side effects when taking minoxidil by mouth. This is because it’s a tablet absorbed in your bloodstream, rather than a spray targeting a specific area of your scalp.  

Do minoxidil tablets regrow hair?   

Multiple studies have shown that minoxidil is effective not only at stopping hair loss but also at encouraging hair regrowth. However, it’s mainly used for treating male pattern baldness, rather than stress-based hair loss (telogen effluvium) or patchy hair loss (alopecia areata).

But how long does minoxidil take to work? Like finasteride, minoxidil isn’t a quick fix. Most people start noticing improvements within 3-6 months, with the best results typically showing after nine months of daily use.  

How to take minoxidil tablets 

When taking minoxidil, take one tablet once daily at the same time each day. 

The tablets should be swallowed whole, with water. And if you miss a dose, don’t take a double dose – wait until your next scheduled time.  

Is oral minoxidil safe? 

Used as prescribed, minoxidil is generally well-tolerated by most people, especially at the lower 2.5mg dose. However, there is a greater risk of side effects than with topical minoxidil.  

Oral minoxidil side effects  

Common minoxidil side effects include:  

• increased heart rate
• inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart
• abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG)
• increased hair growth
• hair colour changes  

Minoxidil can cause dizziness, especially when first started or after a dose increase. So don’t drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. 

For further information, please refer to the patient information leaflet.  

When to avoid minoxidil tablets

Chemist4U only prescribes minoxidil to men over the age of 18.  

You should not take minoxidil tablets if you:   

• are allergic to minoxidil or any of the other listed ingredients   
• have high blood pressure caused by hormones from a tumour (phaeochromocytoma), usually near the kidneys  

You should consult your doctor before taking minoxidil tablets if you: 

• are taking any other medication
• have heart failure
• have ever had a heart attack
• have an intolerance to certain sugars, as minoxidil tablets contain lactose