Blood Pressure and Minoxidil

Hair restoration medicine continues to evolve, with new clinical studies published every year. Although oral minoxidil has become an increasingly common treatment for hair loss, many patients are concerned about its safety profile and potential side effects. One of the most recent studies addressing these concerns was designed and coordinated by Dr. Juan Jiménez Cauhé, focusing on the relationship between blood pressure and oral minoxidil.

A study evaluating blood pressure after taking oral minoxidil

The aim of the study was to assess how blood pressure changes during the hours following the administration of oral minoxidil. Researchers wanted to determine whether the medication could be safely used by individuals with blood pressure-related conditions.

To achieve this, volunteers underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, with measurements taken every 20 minutes over two separate days. On one of the study days, participants took oral minoxidil, while on the other day they did not receive the medication, allowing researchers to compare the results under both conditions.

The results confirm the treatment’s safety

The findings once again support the excellent safety profile of oral minoxidil. Researchers found no clinically significant differences in average systolic or diastolic blood pressure, nor in heart rate, between the day participants took oral minoxidil and the day they did not.

One of the most relevant observations was a slight reduction in blood pressure between two and four hours after taking oral minoxidil. This effect was somewhat more noticeable in participants whose baseline blood pressure was above 130 mmHg, although the decrease remained mild.

Conclusions: Blood pressure and oral minoxidil

Dr. Juan Jiménez Cauhé concluded that oral minoxidil may produce a small, temporary decrease in blood pressure approximately two to four hours after administration. However, this reduction is generally mild, well tolerated, and not considered clinically significant.

Overall, the study reinforces the current evidence supporting the safety of oral minoxidil when prescribed and monitored appropriately by a qualified physician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under what circumstances is minoxidil prescribed?

Oral minoxidil should only be prescribed by a physician experienced in hair restoration medicine, such as Dr. Espinosa Custodio. Depending on the patient’s diagnosis, it may be recommended as part of a personalised medical treatment plan or as an adjunct to a hair transplant to optimise hair growth and long-term results.

Is there anything else I should know about minoxidil?

Yes. During the first three to four months of treatment, it is common to experience an increase in hair shedding. This temporary phase is known as shedding and is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. Hair follicles that are in the telogen (resting) phase shed their hairs before entering the anagen (growth) phase, allowing stronger new hairs to develop. Although this can be concerning at first, it is a well-known and expected effect of treatment and is usually temporary.

Dr. Espinosa Custodio works at Instituto Médico del Prado, his hair clinic in Madrid, and performs hair transplants in Mexico, twice a year. If you would like to make an appointment, you can contact us on +34 912 468 664, on WhatsApp +34 627 396 322 or on the contact page of our website. From Mexico you can contact us at +52 55 4590 9909.

Bibliography

Before-after study with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after the first dose of 5 mg oral minoxidil.