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What Causes Joint Pain While On Minoxidil?
Question: Hi Doc,
I had asked you a question regarding my Hair Fall. Have attached your response towards the end for your reference. I have started using Minoxidil 2%. Was just wondering if It has any side effects. Have been having pain in my joints recently (something i have not had before) so was just wondering if it could be a cause of it.
Regards,
Brief Answer:
You may use minoxidil as it would hasten recovery
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern.
I would suggest a possibility of 'Telogen effluvium' as the reason behind your recent increase in hair shedding. Usually, 1 to 3 months after a stressful event e.g a surgery or a medical illness, hair that was growing earlier i.e was in Anagen Phase, gets shifted to Telogen phase, the resting phase of hair growth cycle (the stress response). Once hair enters Telogen phase, it is subsequently shed over the next 1-3 months. Telogen effluvium is a reversible condition; as soon as the stressful event passes off, the hair follicle once again enters Anagen Phase i.e growth phase.
Therefore, I feel your increased hair shedding is most probably a result of Telogen Efluvium induced by your preceding medical illness. This phase should pass over in next 1-3 months.
I suggest you to continue with the tablets mentioned.
In addition, you may start with Minoxidil solution 2%, 1 ml, twice daily. Minoxidil is a non-specific hair growth promoter and it encourages the hair to shift from Telogen Phase to Anagen Phase i.e aids recovery from Telogen Efluvium. Therefore, the action of minoxidil is just to hasten the recovery from telogen effluvium, and since the inciting event has already passed, the new hair that would re-grow would stay put, even after stopping minoxidil, though this recovery phase would take around 4-6 months and hence you need to use minoxidil and tablets for this period of time.
I had asked you a question regarding my Hair Fall. Have attached your response towards the end for your reference. I have started using Minoxidil 2%. Was just wondering if It has any side effects. Have been having pain in my joints recently (something i have not had before) so was just wondering if it could be a cause of it.
Regards,
Brief Answer:
You may use minoxidil as it would hasten recovery
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern.
I would suggest a possibility of 'Telogen effluvium' as the reason behind your recent increase in hair shedding. Usually, 1 to 3 months after a stressful event e.g a surgery or a medical illness, hair that was growing earlier i.e was in Anagen Phase, gets shifted to Telogen phase, the resting phase of hair growth cycle (the stress response). Once hair enters Telogen phase, it is subsequently shed over the next 1-3 months. Telogen effluvium is a reversible condition; as soon as the stressful event passes off, the hair follicle once again enters Anagen Phase i.e growth phase.
Therefore, I feel your increased hair shedding is most probably a result of Telogen Efluvium induced by your preceding medical illness. This phase should pass over in next 1-3 months.
I suggest you to continue with the tablets mentioned.
In addition, you may start with Minoxidil solution 2%, 1 ml, twice daily. Minoxidil is a non-specific hair growth promoter and it encourages the hair to shift from Telogen Phase to Anagen Phase i.e aids recovery from Telogen Efluvium. Therefore, the action of minoxidil is just to hasten the recovery from telogen effluvium, and since the inciting event has already passed, the new hair that would re-grow would stay put, even after stopping minoxidil, though this recovery phase would take around 4-6 months and hence you need to use minoxidil and tablets for this period of time.
Brief Answer:
Practically free of side effects; Try a higher strength i.e 5% solution
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you writing back to me
No. Joint pain is certainly not due to minoxidil Or due to any of the tablets that you are taking for hair fall.
Minoxidil 2% solution may occasionally cause a mild dandruff because it is formulated in an alcohol base. You may use an antidandruff shampoo, every alternate days, while on minoxidil e.g Scalpe shampoo Or Triatop Shampoo.
Use minoxidil solution in recommended amount of 1 ml to 1.5 ml, twice daily. Over ambitious use may cause a mild dull headache.
There has been a concern of facial hypertrichosis with minoxidil but that is just a theoretical risk. But anyhow, you should tie your hair at the back of your head after applying minoxidil so that it does'nt come on to your face and should also wash your hands after applying minoxidil to avoid inadvertant application on face.
In fact, Minoxidil 5% solution is also approved for female use. Earlier it was only for males but not US FDA also approves it for females. So, next time you can try higher concentration.
Regards
Practically free of side effects; Try a higher strength i.e 5% solution
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you writing back to me
No. Joint pain is certainly not due to minoxidil Or due to any of the tablets that you are taking for hair fall.
Minoxidil 2% solution may occasionally cause a mild dandruff because it is formulated in an alcohol base. You may use an antidandruff shampoo, every alternate days, while on minoxidil e.g Scalpe shampoo Or Triatop Shampoo.
Use minoxidil solution in recommended amount of 1 ml to 1.5 ml, twice daily. Over ambitious use may cause a mild dull headache.
There has been a concern of facial hypertrichosis with minoxidil but that is just a theoretical risk. But anyhow, you should tie your hair at the back of your head after applying minoxidil so that it does'nt come on to your face and should also wash your hands after applying minoxidil to avoid inadvertant application on face.
In fact, Minoxidil 5% solution is also approved for female use. Earlier it was only for males but not US FDA also approves it for females. So, next time you can try higher concentration.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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