Gastrointestinal Side Effects of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Patients with Alopecia: An Underrecognized Association

A study involving 302 patients (218 females, 84 males) with a mean age of 46 years investigated gastrointestinal (GI) side effects of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) used for alopecia. It found that 7.3% of patients reported new GI symptoms, such as flatulence, heartburn, and abdominal pain. These symptoms were more common in males (15.5%) than females (4.1%) and in those using concomitant vasodilators (25.6% vs. 4.6%). Symptoms typically resolved after discontinuation and recurred upon reintroduction, indicating a dose-response relationship. The study concludes that GI complaints are underrecognized but can impact treatment adherence and quality of life, suggesting clinicians should monitor these effects, especially in males on higher doses or additional vasodilators.