Hair Glossary

Loniten is one of the brand names for an oral Minoxidil tablet.  When many people think of Minoxidil, they think of topical formulations.  Originally Minoxidil was designed to be an oral tablet

Minoxidil and Loniten were initially designed to lower the body's blood pressure by acting as peripheral vasodilators. The antihypertensive properties of the drugs help to increase the amount of blood flow throughout the body

Peripheral vasodilators are known to help to widen blood vessels in the body's limbs.  This would include legs, feet, arms, and hands.  It can help to prevent blood clots from forming in the limbs, which could break loose and travel to the heart of the kidneys.

Although initially designed as an antihypertensive solution, a well-documented side effect of any of the drugs containing minoxidil was its stimulating effect on the roots and hair follicles.  In some people.  It was proven to help stimulate hair growth in some cases

Unfortunately, the newly stimulated hair growth is not permanent.  The effect of Loniten or any other liquid Minoxidil only lasts as long as the medication is continuously used. Once the oral Loniten or Minoxidil is halted, the stimulating effects on the hair follicles cease

There is often a major shedding.  Often after a period of weeks or months, the condition of the hair will return to the way it was before Loniten was started. Any hair grown on the Loniten regime will most likely be lost

Side Effects - Some People Should Not Take Loniten
This medication should only be taken after consulting with your primary physician or hair restoration medical expert. 
Loniten may not be safe for people with the following pre-existing conditions:
History of heart problems such as heart failure or heart attack

Any chest pains (angina pectoris)

Chronic lung problems (pulmonary hypertension)

Pheochromocytoma – a genetic kidney disorder that causes the adrenal gland to release an abnormal level of hormones, causing high blood pressure.

Some physicians will prescribe a diuretic along with oral Loniten because of its tendency to trigger salt and water retention at much higher levels

Other side effects may include:
Edema - Fluid retention in the face, eyes, hands or other areas of the body.  Those areas may become swollen or puffy

Hepatojugular reflux – Increased liver pressure elevates pressure in the neck veins

This is an early sign of congestive heart failure

Other Side Effect Issues With Loniten
Other issues might include fluid leakage into the pericardium. This is known as a pericardial effusion. This can, in rare cases, lead to heart failure and death.  Loniten has a connection to this condition

Although Loniten may be effective with hair loss issues, the side effects may be too risky for some people.  This is why it's essential to work with your hair loss physician and to make sure your primary care physician or cardiologist is aware that you are taking Loniten

Loniten may also trigger a progression of pericardial effusion in which the excess fluid causes the heart chambers to collapse. This is an extremely dangerous condition because the heart will not be able to adequately pump enough blood for the body, which in turn lowers the overall oxygen supply

Hypertrichosis And Loniten
In certain extreme instances, the rejuvenating effects of minoxidil become especially invasive
and turn into a condition known as hypertrichosis. With hypertrichosis, hair on the face,
body, and scalp grows much longer and thicker than normal. This side effect is typically spotted within a number of weeks after starting treatment and goes away within a number of months after discontinuation

The side effects of Loniten are considered rare.  However, it is critical that if you have any potential heart or kidney issues, you work closely with your cardiologist or hair loss physician to ensure you are free of any potentially dangerous side effects

Loniten does not work for all people.  Sometimes Loniten or oral Minoxidil will work best with combined with other hair loss medication therapies, including, but not limited to, utilizing topicals in addition to the oral supplements

Other hair loss physicians might recommend combining microneedling, PRP, Exosomes, and Low-Laser Light Therapies with a combination of oral Loniten/Minoxidil and topical Finasteride or similar formulations

When in doubt, always do your research and consider your genetics and family history of heart and kidney health