Loniten

The prescription drug Loniten lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and improving blood flow. This medicine is only approved for treating severe blood pressure that is not adequately controlled with other medications and is causing damage to body organs. Loniten comes in tablet form and is taken once or twice daily. Possible side effects include headaches, dizziness, and vomiting.

Loniten Medication Information

What Is Loniten?

Loniten^® (minoxidil oral) is a prescription blood pressure medication approved to treat severe hypertension (high blood pressure). Because of the potential for serious side effects, Loniten is only used to treat blood pressure that is damaging organs in the body and is not adequately controlled with other, safer blood pressure medications. It is used in combination with other blood pressure medications.

Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Loniten, is also available in a liquid form (Rogaine^®), which is applied topically to the scalp to promote hair growth. Loniten tablets should not be used in any way to stimulate hair growth. Making a liquid from Loniten and using it on the scalp could result in too much of the medication being absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to dangerous side effects.

(Click Loniten Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes This Medication?

This medication used to be made by Pharmacia and Upjohn Company; however, brand-name Loniten is no longer available. Generic versions are available and are made by several different companies.

How Does Loniten Work?

Loniten works by relaxing and enlarging the blood vessels in the body, allowing blood to flow more easily through the vessels.

Because blood can flow more easily, blood pressure decreases.

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