Minoxidil
Rogaine · Loniten · Regaine
Half-life
4.2 hr
Time to Peak
1 hr
Steady State
~1 days
Bioavailability
90%
Dose Range
1.25–10 mg
Frequency
Daily
Overview
Potassium channel opener. Originally developed as an antihypertensive (Loniten, oral); discovered to cause hypertrichosis as a side effect leading to the topical Rogaine formulation. In the TRT/AAS community, oral low-dose minoxidil (2.5–5mg) has become increasingly popular for AAS-induced androgenic alopecia because: (1) Oral bioavailability is much higher than topical (~90% vs ~0.3–4.5%), providing consistent systemic levels. (2) Convenient once-daily dosing compared to twice-daily topical application. (3) Emerging clinical evidence (Jimenez-Cauhe 2022, Randolph 2021) supports oral low-dose for male pattern hair loss. Harm reduction: Risk of fluid retention and pericardial effusion at higher doses — relevant for AAS users who may already have cardiovascular strain. Monitor blood pressure. Not to be confused with topical Rogaine (which has minimal systemic absorption and very different risk profile).
Mechanism of Action
ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener in vascular smooth muscle — causes vasodilation (antihypertensive mechanism). Hair growth mechanism: vasodilation in scalp microvasculature improves follicle oxygenation; may also act directly on follicle potassium channels to prolong anagen phase.
Dosing Information
| Route | Dose Range | Half-life | Tmax | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 1.25–10 mg | 4.2 hr | 1 hr | Daily |
Storage & Handling
Room temperature — Store at 25C. Protect from moisture.
Used in Regimens
Minoxidil is not currently part of any catalog regimen.
Data Sources
- Peer-reviewed Jimenez-Cauhe et al. 2022 (JAAD) — oral low-dose minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia
Related Tools
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