Tag: Loniten

Originally developed in the 1970s to treat severe high blood pressure, minoxidil's side effect of causing hair growth paved the way for topical treatments like Rogaine. However, an oral form of the medication exists, leading many to ask: **What pills contain minoxidil?**

Minoxidil was first developed in the late 1950s as a treatment for ulcers before its powerful vasodilating properties and hair growth side effects were discovered. Today, this compound is available in a variety of topical and oral formulations, raising the question of which products and medications contain minoxidil?

Originally developed in the 1950s to treat ulcers, minoxidil proved to be a potent vasodilator approved to treat severe high blood pressure in 1979 [1.3.3, 1.3.6]. So, what drug was minoxidil repurposed for? It was repurposed to treat hair loss after an unexpected side effect was observed [1.2.2].

Originally developed as an oral medication for high blood pressure, minoxidil is a drug that belongs to the class of medications called vasodilators. While its initial purpose was cardiovascular, its surprising side effect of promoting hair growth led to its widespread use in topical form for treating hair loss. The key to understanding **what class of drug is minoxidil** lies in its mechanism of action, which involves relaxing blood vessels to increase blood flow.

Oral minoxidil carries a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) black box warning—the agency's most serious alert—due to its potential for severe cardiovascular side effects [1.3.4, 1.3.8]. Understanding 'What is the black box warning on minoxidil?' is crucial, as it highlights risks like pericardial effusion and angina [1.2.1].

Loniten, the brand name for minoxidil, is classified as a potent peripheral vasodilator used to treat severe, resistant hypertension. This powerful oral medication is reserved for patients whose high blood pressure has not responded adequately to maximal therapeutic doses of at least two other antihypertensive drugs.