Minox and the heart

[Aks20]

Guys,

Would appreciate your honest responses please. There is a lot available on the bad effects of Minox on the heart at webmd.com etc (oral has the worst, but given this stuff goes systemic anyhow..). There was also a study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1386573/

Which basically makes the point that even at 2%, Minox can be dangerous.

Systemic cardiovascular effects during chronic treatment with topical minoxidil vs placebo were evaluated using a double-blind, randomized design for two parallel groups (n = 20 for minoxidil, n = 15 for placebo). During 6 months of follow-up, blood pressure did not change, whereas minoxidil increased heart rate by 3-5 beats min-1. Compared with placebo, topical minoxidil caused significant increases in LV end-diastolic volume, in cardiac output (by 0.751 min-1) and in LV mass (by 5 g m-2). We conclude that in healthy subjects short-term use of topical minoxidil is likely not to be detrimental. However, safety needs to be established regarding ischaemic symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease as well as for the possible development of LV hypertrophy in healthy subjects during years of therapy.

In small animal test studies, most worryingly Minox caused lesions on the heart tissue. This is mentioned to in the webmd database as well as here:

http://www.acsh.org/healthissues/newsID ... detail.asp

Safety is a major Rogaine myth, according to Robert M. Bernstein, M.D., medical director of New Jersey's New Hair Institute and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. The reports of clinical trials submitted to the FDA cannot have predictive utility for persons who use the medication throughout adulthood, says Bernstein. He cites known, potentially serious side effects that minoxidil (Rogaine's active ingredient) can have in patients who take it as an oral medication for high blood pressure: coronary artery disease, fluid retention, and heart failure. In high concentrations, Bernstein adds, topical minoxidil has been shown to cause heart-muscle damage in lab animals.

Many of Bernstein's hair-transplant patients use Rogaine after the surgery. Bernstein says he neither encourages nor discourages this. "We leave it up to the patient. But the whole purpose of doing the transplant is that people don't want to be bothered anymore. And Rogaine won't affect the transplanted area, although it will have some small effect on slowing hair loss in other places," he explains.

Bernstein warns that applying to the scalp a mixture of 5-percent-minoxidil Rogaine and Retin-A — which some physicians use to increase minoxidil absorption — can lead to heart enlargement and other problems. "The side effects of increased doses of topical [2-percent-minoxidil] Rogaine, its safety with the use of other topical medications (such as Retin-A), and its potential danger when used on inflamed skin or even on wet scalp are largely unknown," he says.

Bernstein's attitude (wont say no, but dont like it) seems to be shared by other doctors. I have read in other forums that Hasson & Wong are not fans of Rogaine either, and Dr Woods (credited by many, as the inventor of FUE) is not a fan of either Rogaine or Propecia.

Also look at http://www.ehealthme.com/q/minoxidil-si ... teractions

This does point out that Minoxidil related heart issues have surfaced.

On other webboards: there are credible user complaints of Minox (topical) having caused Mitral Valve prolapse (Valve damage) and others.

Now, I was a smoker for many years & not exactly a champion for healthy living, plus went through loads of stress. Worried about Minox being a dangerous issue.

So two questions -

01 Your honest view on Minox and heart issues. What have you experienced, heard etc
02 Is there sort of a minimum dose of Minox which one can use to minimize adverse affects? It wont be as effective on hair.. but then thats a price one has to pay

What I found amazing was that in a few months of use, Minox can reverse the damage caused by many months of non use. The bald spots remain bald, but the rest are really pulling together. Even in the bald areas, there are probably vellus hairs..as they appear rougher to the touch..

I really dont want to give up Minox, but seems I am out of options.

[Beingbaldsucks]

This is straight unproven bull****, almost nO one had heart problems because of it, people also say that red meat causes heart problems and many other stupid ****ty things, you know what? That's bull****, I never had any hear problems and I'm almost six months on it. But even if this bull**** was true, believe me, better to die with hair

[pidda]

I'm pretty much convinced that I'd be dead by now if I never stopped using minoxidil. My skin never looked so horrible in my life when I was using it. But hey, if you feel like I'm full of **** then ignore this post.

[pidda]

Let me go into more detail on how I think minoxidil ****ed with my body. I used to be in denial about the side effects until they kept getting worse and not better over time. Usually after an application of 1ml of the 5% solution, I start to notice a horribly uncomfortable pressure in my left armpit. I can't help but feel really anxious and I can't lie down without feeling short of breath. My heartbeat noticeably slows down a bit. Over time, the systematic effects still persist even when I quit using it but it actually gets worse. This is where the tinnitus kicks in to high gear with the stabbing pain in the chest and stomach that causes terrible nausea. There is a very noticeable collagen breakdown not only in my face but my whole body. The anxious feelings get worse to the point of crippling depression. I can't blame this on finasteride because the same thing happened with my first attempt when I never used finasteride before. All this bull**** seems to happen when I start using minoxidil to 2-3 weeks after I stop using it. I would say the worst side effect of all is the feeling of hell in my left armpit THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY AFTER EVERY MINOXIDIL APPLICATION. HOLY ****ING **** I HATE MINOXIDIL.

[Timi]

pidda

when stop the side effects from Minox after Quit?

[pidda]

pidda

when stop the side effects from Minox after Quit?

Almost completely gone after 3 weeks.

[Beingbaldsucks]

So your one of the few whO allergic to it, but most the people arnt, and I can honestly say that without the minox im a bald ****er, i also think this oily and uncomfteble as he'll but it's more like a drug or a pain killer for hairloss, to lower the pain a little by giving us more "hair" time

[pidda]

So your one of the few whO allergic to it, but most the people arnt, and I can honestly say that without the minox im a bald ****er, i also think this oily and uncomfteble as he'll but it's more like a drug or a pain killer for hairloss, to lower the pain a little by giving us more "hair" time

Ya you're right. Good thing I can at least can tolerate finasteride and that my diffuse balding is mostly noticeable when I shave my head. If my copper peptide regimen can help out with my hairline, that is an added bonus. All I am asking for is maintenance without the side effects. Maybe I could add some RU58841 and drop the fin someday. I feel a bit crazy for thinking about trying dutasteride in the future.

[MarkMaybeakook]

So your one of the few whO allergic to it, but most the people arnt, and I can honestly say that without the minox im a bald ****er, i also think this oily and uncomfteble as he'll but it's more like a drug or a pain killer for hairloss, to lower the pain a little by giving us more "hair" time

Exactly. Some people have issues with using Minox. And those folks should stop immediately as it states on the box. And of course there is the usual Timi post related to anything negative about Minoxidil. As predictable as the tides.

[Timi]

this burning under the Armes can be Finasterid
not Minox