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The most common side effects of topical minoxidil use are itching and skin irritation of the treated area of the scalp. Unwanted hair growth may also occur adjacent to treated areas or in areas where the medicine has been inadvertently transferred several times. This unwanted hair growth adjacent to the treatment area may be particularly distressing to women when the face is involved. The itching and irritation usually subside after the drug has been used for approximately two weeks. If symptoms persist after this time, minoxidil use should be halted until a physician has been consulted.
Extremely rare side effects that may occur if too much topically or orally administered minoxidil is being absorbed in the body include:
- changes in vision, most commonly blurred vision
- chest pain
- very low blood pressure
- decreased sexual desire
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- flushing of the skin
- headache
- lightheadedness
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or face
- partial, or complete, impotence
- rapid weight gain
- swelling of the hands, feet, lower legs, or face
— Paul A. Johnson
