Under the popular brand Rogaine, Minoxidil came to being a vasodilator and originally was exclusively used as an oral drug (Loniten®) to treat high blood pressure. It eventually was discovered to have the beneficial side effect on hair growth and reversing hair loss.

Upjohn Corporation produced a topical solution that contained 2% minoxidil to reverse baldness and hair loss, under the brand name Rogaine in the United States, and Regaine outside the United States. Treatments offer a 5% concentration elixir designed for men, and a 2% concentration solutions are designed for women. Currently, it is unknown how the drug stimulates hair growth.

What exactly is in it? Minoxidil, chemically is “potassium channel agonist.” Derived from the chemical structure of Nitric oxide (NO), a blood vessel dilator, is a nitric oxide agonist. This may explain Minoxidil’s ability to stimulate hair growth and treat hair loss. Minoxidil may also act via release of Guanylate cyclase, an enzyme connected to vasodilation. Continue Reading »
Minoxidil Review