Brand name: Minoxidil (Headway):

Appropriate Use

admin. under close supervision usually in combo w/ therapeutic doses of beta-blocker to prevent tachycardia and incr. myocardial workload; must also usually give w/ loop diuretic to prevent serious fluid accumulation; hospitalize pts w/ malignant HTN and if concomitant guanethidine for initial tx, monitor to avoid too rapid or large orthostatic decr. in blood pressure

Serious Cardiac Event Risk

powerful antihypertensive w/ serious adverse event risk incl. pericardial effusion sometimes progressing to tamponade and angina pectoris exacerbation; reserve for HTN pts w/o adequate response to max therapeutic dose of diuretic and 2 other antihypertensives; in animal studies several myocardial lesions and other cardiac adverse events occurred

What is the most important information I should know about Minoxidil (Headway)?

Do not stop taking Minoxidil (Headway) suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause your blood pressure to become dangerously high and could make you feel anxious or uncomfortable.Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Minoxidil (Headway) may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Avoid alcohol or use it cautiously while taking Minoxidil (Headway). Alcohol may dangerously increase dizziness caused by Minoxidil (Headway).
What is Minoxidil (Headway) without a prescriptions/Rx?

Minoxidil (Headway) is a vasodilator. It relaxes veins and arteries, which makes it easier for your heart to pump.

Minoxidil (Headway) is used to lower blood pressure.

Minoxidil (Headway) may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Minoxidil (Headway)?

Do not take Minoxidil (Headway) if you

* have pheochromocytoma, * have an aortic (heart) aneurysm, or * have had a heart attack or stroke within the last month. Minoxidil (Headway) may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Before taking Minoxidil (Headway), tell your doctor if you have

* chest pain (angina) or
* kidney disease.

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment with Minoxidil (Headway).

Minoxidil (Headway) is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Minoxidil (Headway) will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Minoxidil (Headway) passes into breast milk, and its effects on a nursing infant are not known. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Minoxidil (Headway)?

Take Minoxidil (Headway) exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

If you are taking Minoxidil (Headway) with other medicines to treat high blood pressure, it is important to take each medicine at the correct, designated time as prescribed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor to teach you how to monitor your heart rate and at what heart rate you should notify them of a change.

You may not experience symptoms of hypertension while taking Minoxidil (Headway), however, it is important to continue taking the medicine for as long as your doctor prescribes.

Do not stop taking Minoxidil (Headway) suddenly. Stopping suddenly could cause your blood pressure to become dangerously high and could make you feel anxious or uncomfortable.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Minoxidil (Headway) overdose include very low blood pressure (fainting, dizziness, confusion); an irregular heartbeat; headache; and flushing (redness, warmth).
What should I avoid while taking Minoxidil (Headway)?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Minoxidil (Headway) may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking Minoxidil (Headway), and you may fall and injure yourself if you get up quickly.

Avoid alcohol or use it cautiously while taking Minoxidil (Headway). Alcohol may increase the dizziness caused by Minoxidil (Headway), which could become dangerous.
What are the possible side effects of Minoxidil (Headway)?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Minoxidil (Headway) and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Minoxidil (Headway)?

The combination of guanethidine (Ismelin) and Minoxidil (Headway) may cause severely low blood pressure. Usually these drugs should not be taken together. If you are taking guanethidine (Ismelin), tell your doctor before starting Minoxidil (Headway) therapy.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Minoxidil (Headway) or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about Minoxidil (Headway) written for health professionals that you may read.
What does Minoxidil (Headway) look like?

Minoxidil (Headway) is available with a prescription under the brand name Loniten. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.