minoxidil

Minoxidil is a small molecule antihypertensive and vasodilator used for the treatment of resistant hypertension and androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). It was originally developed in the 1970s as a potent peripheral vasodilator. For hypertension, it acts by relaxing arterial smooth muscle, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and lowering blood pressure. The antihypertensive effect is primarily due to its active metabolite, minoxidil sulfate. For hair loss, topical minoxidil prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles and may promote survival of dermal papilla cells via activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt pathways; however, its precise mechanism for stimulating hair growth remains incompletely understood[1][2][4][5][7].

Brand names

RogaineLonitenApo-GainMinoxRegoxidineRoganRoquinnaTheroxidilTopixidilTricolocionTricoplusTricovivaxTricoxaneTricoxidilTrugainTugainUnipexilVaxdilViusWomen's RogaineXenogrowXue RuiYloxZeldilonZitoxilSplendoraSuperminox

Other names

minoxidil