Start shopping and find your next favourite medicine.
Browse Catalog
Minoxidil 5mg tablets are prescribed for two distinct purposes: as part of an FDA-approved antihypertensive regimen for severe resistant hypertension, and as an off-label oral treatment for male androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss), where 5mg sits at the upper end of the commonly studied hair-loss dose range. For hypertension, 5mg is typically a starting dose, titrated upward alongside a diuretic and beta-blocker. For hair loss, 5mg/day is the dose most studied in men, while women are generally prescribed lower doses (0.25mg–1.25mg) due to a higher sensitivity to side effects like hypertrichosis.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Generic Name | Minoxidil |
| Drug Class | Direct vasodilator / antihypertensive |
| Brand Reference | Loniten 5mg (Pfizer); generic equivalents available |
| Approved Indication | Severe resistant hypertension (oral, FDA-approved) |
| Off-Label Use | Androgenetic alopecia, primarily in men, at the higher end of the LDOM dose range |
| Hypertension Dose | Starting dose 5mg once daily, titrated to 10–40mg/day with a diuretic and beta-blocker |
| Off-Label Hair Loss Dose | 5mg once daily (men); women are typically prescribed 0.25mg–1.25mg due to higher side-effect sensitivity |
| Form / Route | Oral tablet |
| Prescription | Required in all markets |
Minoxidil opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle, relaxing and widening blood vessels — the same mechanism lowers blood pressure systemically and increases blood flow to hair follicles on the scalp. The increased follicular blood supply is thought to help extend the anagen (active growth) phase of the hair cycle, which is the proposed basis for its off-label use in pattern hair loss.
An open-label study found that 5mg oral minoxidil once daily significantly increased hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia after both 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, with hypertrichosis and mild ankle/foot swelling as the main side effects observed. Because 5mg is a higher dose than the 0.25mg–1.25mg typically used in women, it’s generally reserved for men, where the dose-dependent cardiovascular and side-effect profile has been more closely studied. Separate cardiovascular monitoring studies using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring found no significant blood pressure changes at this dose, though a mild, subclinical increase in heart rate has been observed at higher doses within this range.
At 5mg, the most frequently reported side effects are hypertrichosis (fine hair growth on the face or body) and mild fluid retention, most commonly seen as ankle or foot swelling.
At full antihypertensive doses (10–40mg/day), more pronounced fluid retention and reflex tachycardia are expected, which is why a diuretic and beta-blocker are standard co-prescriptions.
For men, 5mg once daily is within the commonly studied dose range for androgenetic alopecia and has shown significant results in clinical research, but it’s generally considered too high a starting dose for women, who are usually prescribed 0.25mg–1.25mg due to greater sensitivity to side effects. Dosing should always be set by a prescribing physician based on individual response.
5mg sits higher in both the hypertension and hair-loss dosing ranges — it’s a more common starting dose for resistant hypertension and the dose most studied for male pattern hair loss, while 2.5mg (or lower) is more typical for women or patients starting hair-loss treatment more conservatively.
Monitoring studies using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and Holter monitoring found no significant blood pressure changes in normotensive men taking oral minoxidil at doses in this range, though a mild increase in heart rate has been observed. Despite this, anyone with existing cardiovascular risk factors should only use oral minoxidil under physician supervision.
Clinical studies have shown significant improvement at both 12 and 24 weeks of continuous treatment, with most users needing at least 3–6 months before visible changes and up to 12 months for fuller results.
Yes. Oral minoxidil at any dose is prescription-only worldwide due to its cardiovascular effects, even though topical minoxidil is available over the counter in many countries.
Store at 15–30°C, away from sunlight and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
Medically reviewed. Last updated: [20/06/2026]. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace consultation with a licensed physician.
Orders ship from our India Head Office within 1–2 business days of confirmation. We include full customs documentation — HS codes, certificates of origin, and pharmaceutical export permits.
Estimated delivery: 3–7 business days to UK. 7–10 business days to UAE, Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries. 10–15 days for USA and Asian countries.
All packages arrive in plain, unmarked brown boxes. No pharmacy name or medication details on the outside.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet