minoxidil

American  

[mi-nok-si-dil] / mɪˈnɒk sɪˌdɪl /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a potent peripheral vasodilator, C 23 H 27 N, used in the treatment of severe hypertension, also applied topically to promote hair growth in some types of baldness.

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Etymology

Origin of minoxidil

(a)min(o)- + oxy- ² + ( piper)idi(ny)l, a chemical component; see piperidine, -yl

Example Sentences

About 40 million people in the U.S. used minoxidil for hair loss in 2023, and hair-loss treatments aren’t covered by health insurance in the U.S.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

The oral version of minoxidil can cause unwanted hair growth on the face and other areas of the body, while finasteride can dampen libido and lead to erectile dysfunction.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

The first prescribed an oral pharmaceutical blend with minoxidil, the gold standard for hair growth, that I’d need to take for life.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

I paid several hundred pounds for a combined course of minoxidil and finasteride but the treatment requires consistent daily use, and I often forgot doses.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2025

While topical minoxidil is an approved therapy, its limited ability to dissolve in water and penetrate the skin reduces its effectiveness.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2025