Piloxidil – use, dosage, contraindications, price

Proven content

Piloxidil is a preparation in the form of a clear, colorless or slightly yellow liquid, used to prevent male pattern baldness (alopecia androgenetica) in women and men. It is most effective in young people in whom the process of baldness is just entering the early stage. The active ingredient in Piloxidil is minoxidil at a concentration of 2 percent. When and how to use Piloxidil? What are the potential side effects of the drug?

Piloxidil – skin lotion for adults

Piloxidil is an over-the-counter liquid for topical application to the skin for the treatment of male and female hair loss. The indication for the use of Piloxidil is a problem with a specific type of alopecia – male pattern baldness, i.e. androgenetic alopecia. The disease can affect both men and women. The active ingredient of Piloxidil is minoxidil, which has a beneficial effect on hair growth in this type of alopecia.

Piloxidil is used to treat male pattern baldness in adults aged 18 to 65 years. Therapy requires long-term use. If it does not work after one year, discontinue it.

Piloxidil – treatment effectiveness

With regular use of Piloxidil, the effects of baldness, i.e. too intense hair loss, should be stopped after about eight weeks of treatment, while the first regrowths will appear after 4-5 months. The drug works mainly on the top of the head, while it is less effective in the fronto-temporal part. The highest effectiveness of Piloxidil it is observed in younger people, especially in people in the early stages of the baldness process.

Piloxidil – contraindications to use

Piloxidil should not be used:

1. In children (under 18 years of age) and in the elderly.
2. If the patient is hypersensitive or allergic to any component of the preparation, in particular to the active substance.
3. Under an occlusive dressing.
4. When the patient also applies other medications topically to the scalp (possibly after consulting a dermatologist).
5. The drug should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and people over 65 years of age.
6. The preparation should not be applied to the skin other than the scalp or to skin damaged in any way, this applies, inter alia, to: seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, infections of the scalp, burns and epidermal damage (e.g. related to shaving).
7. Contraindication is also arterial hypertension (treated or not) and too low blood pressure.

In the case of people suffering from cardiac arrhythmia or cardiovascular diseases, a medical consultation is recommended before using Piloxidil.

Dosage of Piloxidil

Piloxidil should be applied in a thin layer only to dry and a healthy scalp. Long-term use of the drug as prescribed is required for treatment improvement to occur.

Unless otherwise instructed by the doctor, the recommended dose is 1 ml of Piloxidil applied twice a day – approximately 12 hours apart. The medicine should be applied with a pump, and then lightly rubbed on the scalp with your fingertips – wash your hands thoroughly after use. 2 ml a day is also the maximum dose. The missed dose should not be supplemented with a double dose – in this case, the administration of the fluid is continued as normal. At least four hours should elapse between applying the drug and washing the head and hair.

Overdosage of Piloxidil

The use of Piloxidil in a dose higher than the recommended dose, however, in accordance with the intended use of the drug, should not cause side effects – no cases of overdose have been reported during the topical application of agents containing minoxidil.

The risk of increased drug absorption as well general side effects may occur in the case of:

1. using too often or using too high doses of Piloxidil;
2. applying liquid to damaged skin;
3. applying the medicine to parts of the body other than the scalp, or to large areas of the body;
4. after ingestion of the drug – in this situation, contact your doctor immediately.

Piloxidil – side effects

The use of Piloxidil may or may not be associated with one or more side effects. The most common of them include:

1. headaches;
2. excessive hair outside the application site;
3. itching with a rash.

Less common symptoms are decreased blood pressure, dyspnoea, skin irritation and peeling, rash, dermatitis and dryness, peripheral edema and application site erythema. Among the least common activities side effects are palpitations, fast heart rate and chest pain. In addition, the propylene glycol in Piloxidil may cause skin irritation.

Symptoms with an undetermined frequency a potentially dangerous to health and life are swelling of the face, lips and throat – most likely the result of a severe allergic reaction. They can make breathing difficult. In their case, an immediate medical consultation is necessary.

Accidental ingestion of Piloxidil creates a risk of serious side effects that require immediate contact with a doctor. Belong to them:

1. drop in blood pressure leading to dizziness and fainting;
2. increased heart rate and palpitations;
3. soreness in the chest;
4. swelling in the face, legs and arms;
5. blurred vision;
6. digestive system ailments.

Read also:

1. Hair loss medications – over-the-counter, therapy
2. Diseases of the scalp
3. Alopecia areata – when hair falls out under stress

Piloxidil – precautions

When using Piloxidil, some people may experience increased hair loss between the 2nd and 6th week of treatment. In the event of severe hair loss lasting more than two weeks, discontinue use and consult your doctor.

If the product gets into the eyes or comes into contact with mucous membranes or damaged epidermis, rinse the area thoroughly with water. Also, do not inhale vapors from aerosolized Piloxidil.

Piloxidil – composition

The main ingredient of Piloxidil is minoxidil – its content is 20 mg per 1 ml of liquid. The other ingredients of the preparation are propylene glycol, ethanol and purified water.

Piloxidil – cena

The preparation is available no prescription, and its price is about PLN 23-30. Depending on the facility, the price may be lower or higher. The package contains 60 ml of liquid.

Piloxidil – substitutes

Other preparations for alopecia that contain the active ingredient present in Piloxidil (minoxidil) include:

1. Loxon 2% in Loxon 5%;
2. Minovivax;
3. Alocutan;
4. Alopexy;
5. DX2.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.