Loniten and Hair Growth

Available by prescription only,
 Loniten® (minoxidil oral) is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure that is so severe it cannot be controlled by other, safer blood pressure medications and is damaging vital body organs.
 
It is important not to confuse Loniten with Rogaine® (minoxidil). Rogaine is a liquid, topical medication applied to the scalp to stimulate hair growth. Although both of these medications contain minoxidil, they are not interchangeable. Do not use Loniten to stimulate hair growth. Liquids made from Loniten and applied to the scalp could cause too much minoxidil to be absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to potentially serious side effects.
 
(For more information on the potential risks of using this medication for hair growth, click Loniten Uses. This article also discusses how Loniten works for treating high blood pressure, as well as possible off-label uses of the drug.)
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD