Switching from Oral to Topical Minoxidil

How easy is it to switch from Oral Minoxidil to Topical Minoxidil?

I’ve selected this question below for this week’s question of the week. It allows us to review some concepts in switching from oral to topical minoxidil.

Question

I am using 2.5 mg of oral minoxidil with success. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of oral minoxidil in my area so I’m going to need to switch to topical minoxidil until we get the supply back. Will I experience shedding when I start topical minoxidil? I hear that many people do!

Thank you.

Answer

Thanks for the question. You are likely to experience shedding but for a different reason than you ask about and perhaps a different reason than you think.

You are not likely to get shedding simply because you are “starting” topical minoxidil. No. However, you are likely to experience shedding because you are not able to supply your scalp with the equivalent amount of minoxidil by using the topical compared to the oral minoxidil. 5 % foam is NOT equivalent to 2.5 mg so you hair and scalp will likely say “where is my minoxidil?” “why am I suddenly being deprived?”

If you have been using oral minoxidil for a very short time, it may not be a big issue. But if you have been using oral minoxidil at 2.5 mg for some time it could be an issue. Be sure to discuss fully with your dermatologist.
The key point here is that 2.5 mg of oral minoxidil is not equivalent to topical minoxidil so you are now likely underdosing. There are options to have a compounding pharmacy in your area make up minoxidil pills for you. Not all pharmacies have this experience but many do. That is a far better option for most than switching to topical. But be sure to discuss with your health care providers.

Thank you again for the question!