From the Research
The recommended dose for oral minoxidil for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia is 1-5 mg/day, with a starting dose of 1 mg/day, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This dose range is based on the study that compared the effectiveness and safety of topical minoxidil versus 1 mg daily oral minoxidil in the improvement of androgenetic alopecia, which found that 1 mg oral minoxidil may be as effective and safe as standard topical minoxidil in female and male pattern hair loss. The typical oral minoxidil dose for hair loss ranges from 0.25 mg to 5 mg daily, with most practitioners starting at a low dose of 0.25-1.25 mg daily and gradually increasing if needed and tolerated. Some key points to consider when prescribing oral minoxidil for hair loss include:
- Starting at the lowest possible dose to minimize side effects, which may include fluid retention, increased heart rate, dizziness, unwanted body hair growth, and rarely, more serious cardiovascular effects.
- Blood pressure monitoring is recommended before and during treatment.
- Results typically take 3-6 months to become noticeable, and treatment must be continued indefinitely to maintain benefits.
- Oral minoxidil works by prolonging the growth phase of hair follicles and increasing blood flow to the scalp.
- This medication requires a prescription and should only be taken under medical supervision, as dosing needs to be individualized based on response and tolerance. Other studies have also supported the use of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss, including a comprehensive review that found low-dose oral minoxidil to be a safe and effective treatment for various hair disorders, including male and female pattern hair loss 2, and a multicenter study that found low-dose oral minoxidil to have a good safety profile as a treatment for hair loss 3.