The History of the Development of Minoxidil
October 1988
in “
Clinics in Dermatology
”
TLDR Minoxidil was first made for high blood pressure, but it was later found to help hair growth.
This article covers the history of minoxidil, a drug initially developed for high blood pressure that was later found to promote hair growth. It was approved by the FDA for hair loss treatment in 1988 and works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and extending the growth phase of the hair cycle. The article discusses the challenges faced during development and regulatory surveillance, as well as the drug's pharmacology, metabolism, and clinical use in treating hair loss.