Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a vasodilator medication known for its ability to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth. It is available over the counter for treatment of androgenic alopecia, among other baldness treatments, but measurable changes disappear within months after discontinuation of treatment. Its effectiveness has largely been demonstrated in younger men (18 to 41 years of age), the younger the better, and in those with balding in the central (vertex) portion of the scalp Minoxidil is a potassium channel agonist. It contains the chemical structure of nitric oxide), a blood vessel dilator, and may be a nitric oxide agonist. This appears to explain its vasodilatory effects, but may also be linked to minoxidil’s ability to stimulate hair growth and treat hair loss. Since minoxidil is a nitric oxide-related compound, it was suspected to act via activation of guanylate cyclase, an enzyme involved in vasodilation.