Interestingly, the drug was never originally designed for scalp application, and nor was it meant to be for treating hair loss. Minoxidil was initially developed to treat high blood pressure. 

In 1979, the FDA approved a minoxidil-based drug by Pfizer, called Loniten, to treat blood pressure. It was then shown how well minoxidil could grow hair, albeit on a limited scale.  Further trials were done for minoxidil and its effects for hair growth, and that's when the topical solution called Regaine/Rogaine was formed, as a foam or liquid. 

Fast forward to 2022, and dermatologists are still using minoxidil to treat hair-loss, but differently - this time, through an oral pill. The same pill that doctors prescribe at a higher concentration to treat hypertension can work just as effectively as the topical solution, and what's more, it's cheaper, too.

Like Regaine/Rogaine (or any other hair loss treatment on the market, for that matter), oral minoxidil doesn't work for everybody, but it's a good alternative to the topical formulation of the medicine, which can be a hassle to apply, and leave the hair looking and feeling greasy. 

Like with any drug, the oral minoxidil pill does come with the risk of some potential side-effects. Some side-effects may include; Temporary shedding, ankle swelling and fluid retention, low blood pressure and feeling lightheaded, fast heart rate, and headaches. 

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