Hair Loss With Minoxidil Withdrawal

September 1992 in “ The Lancet ”

B.J. Kidwai, M. George

minoxidil oral minoxidil vasodilator hair growth hair loss gastrointestinal upset wig Rogaine

TLDR Stopping minoxidil caused significant hair loss, but regrowth occurred after resuming use.

The article reports a case of a woman who experienced substantial hair loss after discontinuing oral minoxidil, a vasodilator used for severe hypertension that also stimulates hair growth in about 80% of patients. The woman had been taking minoxidil since 1980 and had developed excessive hair growth on the face. After discontinuing minoxidil due to gastrointestinal upset, she started losing her hair over the next two months, enough to be socially unacceptable and requiring her to wear a wig. Minoxidil was reintroduced about three months after withdrawal, and hair growth was apparent to the patient within a few days and appreciable growth had occurred by one month.

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Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness: Effects of Discontinuation of Treatment

57 citations, July 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Stopping minoxidil treatment resumes balding; continuous use needed for results.

research A Falling Out Following Minoxidil: Telogen Effluvium

9 citations, January 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

A man lost a lot of scalp hair quickly after stopping minoxidil, but it grew back with mild male pattern baldness.

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research Medications and Hair Transplantation

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Research cited in this study

research Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness: Effects of Discontinuation of Treatment

research A Falling Out Following Minoxidil: Telogen Effluvium

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