Topical Minoxidil has been a go-to for treating hair loss for decades, and it’s still going strong. It’s one of only two HPRA-approved hair loss solutions with lots of research to back up its efficacy. You may be less familiar with its oral equivalent, which is starting to get a lot of attention as a promising alternative. Here’s everything you need to know about Oral Minoxidil.
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels and improves blood flow. It was originally used as a treatment for hypertension, but doctors noticed it had an unexpected side effect: hair growth. This led to topical 5% Minoxidil being licensed for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (aka male pattern baldness) in 1988. How Minoxidil works so well for hair loss is still to be fully understood, but it is thought to boost blood flow to the scalp, which supplies the hair follicles with oxygen and nutrients which are essential for healthy hair growth.
Minoxidil is also thought to accelerate the hair growth cycle by shortening the telogen (resting) phase, during which point the hair has stopped growing and is ready to be shed -lengthening the anagen (growth) phase. This leads to longer, thicker hair over time.
Oral Minoxidil is the capsule formulation of Minoxidil.
Studies suggest that Oral Minoxidil works just as well as its spray counterpart, so the main consideration if you are trying to decide between the two options is which will work better for your lifestyle.
If you find it hard to remember to apply your Minoxidil Spray twice a day, or it leaves you with an itchy or irritated scalp, Oral Minoxidil might be a more convenient option for you.
Just like topical Minoxidil, Oral Minoxidil is thought to be most effective when used alongside oral Finasteride. In a 2025 study, 92% of participants taking both 2.5mg Oral Minoxidil and 1mg Finasteride saw their hair loss stop or improve over 12 months. Even better, 57% saw a clear improvement in hair growth and density. The trial also found that 100% of men with more severe hair loss at the start of the trial (rated 6 or 7 on the Norwood Scale) saw their hair loss remain stable or improve.
Oral Minoxidil is currently licensed in Ireland at higher dosages for the treatment of high blood pressure, but it can also be prescribed at lower dosages for the treatment of hair loss. This is what ‘off-label’ means: that it is being used for a reason other than which that preparation is specifically licensed for.
Off-label prescribing is a common and widely accepted medical practice based on strong emerging evidence and clinical experience.
Medications can also come in unlicensed preparations, for example in alternative or combination formulations.
Minoxidil starts working behind the scenes once you start using it, but hair growth takes time to become visible. On average, your hair only grows about half an inch a month, so results take time to become noticeable. If you stay consistent and committed to your hair loss treatment routine, you could start to see visible results in just 3-6 months.
As with any medication, Oral Minoxidil comes with the possibility of side effects. Some of the most common side effects are hair growth in other parts of the body (hypertrichosis), fluid retention, and an elevated heart rate.
Some people experience a phase of temporary shedding when they first start using Minoxidil, which can be worrying. It may feel counterintuitive, but shedding is a sign the Minoxidil is starting to work. By pushing those dormant hairs out of the resting phase and into the growth phase, the older, finer hair is pushed out to make way for new, healthy hair. As long as you stick to your routine of using Minoxidil every day, the shedding should settle after 2-8 weeks.
If you’re ready to tackle your hair loss, take our online consultation here for personalised recommendations on the best treatment plan.
All of our blog articles are reviewed for medical accuracy by our Medical Director before publication.
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