Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution is indicated for the treatment of alopecia and rogenetica in men. Onset and degree of hair regrowth may be variable among users. Although trends in the data suggest that those users who are younger, who have been balding for a shorter period of time or who have a smaller area of baldness on the vertex are more likely to respond to Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution individual responses cannot be predicted.

Men aged 18-65:

Hair and scalp should be thoroughly dry prior to topical application of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution. A dose of 1 ml Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution should be applied to the total affected areas of the scalp twice daily. The total dosage should not exceed 2 ml. If fingertips are used to facilitate drug application, hands should be washed afterwards. It may take twice daily applications for 2 months or more before evidence of hair growth can be expected. If hair regrowth occurs, twice daily applications of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution are necessary for continued hair growth. Anecdotal reports indicate that regrown hair may disappear three to four months after stopping Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution application and the balding process will continue.

Users should discontinue treatment if there is no improvement after one year.

Special populations There are no specific recommendations for use in patients with renal or hepatic impairment

Paediatric and Elderly Populations

Not recommended. The safety and effectiveness of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution in children and adolescents below the age of 18 years or adults over 65 years has not been established.

Method of administration For topical use only. The method of application varies according to the disposable applicator used: Pump spray applicator: this is useful for large areas. Aim the pump at the center of the bald area, press once and spread with fingertips over the entire bald area. Repeat for a total of 6 times to apply a dose of 1 ml. Avoid breathing spray mist. Extended spray-tip applicator: this is useful for small areas, or under hair. The pump spray applicator must be in place in order to use this additional applicator. Use in the same way as the pump spray.

Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution is contraindicated: - In women - In users with a history of sensitivity to Minoxidil, ethanol, or propylene glycol - In users with treated or untreated hypertension - In users with any scalp abnormality (including psoriasis and sunburn) - In users with a shaved scalp - If occlusive dressings or other topical medical preparations are being used.

Before using Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution the user should determine that the scalp is normal and healthy. Topical Minoxidil should not be applied to inflamed, infected, irritated or painful scalp skin (see section 4.3). Topical Minoxidil is only indicated for the treatment of alopecia and rogenetica and should not be used in other types of hair loss for example when there is no family history of hair loss, hair loss is sudden and/or patchy, hair loss is due to childbirth, or the reason for hair loss is unknown. The patient should stop using Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution and see a doctor if hypotension is detected or if the patient is experiencing chest pain, rapid heartbeat, faintness or dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain, swollen hands or feet or persistent redness or irritation of the scalp or other unexpected new symptoms occur (see section 4.8). Patients with known cardiovascular disease or cardiac arrhythmia should contact a physician before using Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution. Some patients have experienced changes in hair colour and/or texture with use of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution.

Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution is for external use only. Do not apply to areas of the body other than the scalp. Using more than the recommended dose or more often will not improve results. Unwanted hair growth may be caused by the transfer of the product to areas other than the scalp. Hands should be washed thoroughly after applying the solution. Inhalation of the spray mist should be avoided. Some consumers reported increased hair shedding upon initiation of therapy with Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution. This is most likely due to Minoxidil's action of shifting hairs from the resting telogen phase to the growing anagen phase (old hairs fall out as new hairs grow in their place). This temporary increase in hair shedding generally occurs two to six weeks after beginning treatment and subsides within a couple of weeks. If shedding persists (>2 weeks), users should stop using Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution and consult their doctor. Users should be aware that, whilst extensive use of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution has not revealed evidence that sufficient Minoxidil is absorbed to have systemic effects, greater absorption because of misuse, individual variability, unusual sensitivity or decreased integrity of the epidermal barrier caused by inflammation or disease processes in the skin (e.g. excoriations of the scalp, or scalp psoriasis) could lead, at least theoretically, to systemic effects. Accidental ingestion may cause serious cardiac adverse events. Thereforethis product has to be kept out of the reach of children. Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution contains ethanol (alcohol), which will cause burning and irritation of the eye. In the event of accidental contact with sensitive surfaces (eye, abraded skin and mucous membranes), the area should be bathed with large amounts of cool tap water. Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution contains propylene glycol, which may cause skin irritation.

This product should not be used concomitantly with other medications applied topically on the scalp (see section 4.3). Topical drugs, such as corticosteroids, tretinoin, dithranol or petrolatum, which alter the stratum corneum barrier, could result in increased absorption of Minoxidil if applied concurrently. Although it has not been demonstrated clinically, there exists the theoretical possibility of absorbed Minoxidil potentiating orthostatic hypotension caused by peripheral vasodilators. Guanethidine has been reported to interact with oral formulations of Minoxidil resulting in rapid and pronounced lowering of blood pressure. There is a theoretical possibility that topical Minoxidil may also interact with guanethidine.

This product should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. Pregnancy There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown a risk to the foetus at exposure levels that are very high compared to those intended for human exposure. There is potentially a risk of foetal harm in humans (see section 5.3). Lactation Systemically absorbed Minoxidil is secreted in human milk. The effect of Minoxidil on newborns/infants is unknown.

This product may cause dizziness or hypotension (see section 4.8). If affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery.

The safety of topical Minoxidil from clinical trial data is based on data from 7 placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials in adults evaluating either 2% or 5% Minoxidil solution, and two placebo-controlled randomised clinical trials in adults evaluating a 5% foam formulation. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) identified during clinical trials and post-marketing experience with Minoxidil are included in the table below by System Organ Class (SOC). The frequencies are provided according to the following convention: Very common ≥1/10 Common ≥1/100 and < 1/10 Uncommon ≥1/1,000 and <1/100 Rare ≥1/10,000 and <1/1,000 Very rare <1/10,000, including isolated reports Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data) ADRs are presented by frequency category based on 1) incidence in adequately designed clinical trials or epidemiology studies, if available, or 2) when incidence cannot be estimated, frequency category is listed as 'Not known'. Body System (SOC) Frequency Adverse Drug Reaction (Preferred Term) Immune System Disorders Common Hypersensitivity reactions (including face oedema, generalised erythema, pruritus generalised, swelling face, and throat tightness) Not known Angioedema (including lip oedema, lip swelling, oedema mouth, oropharyngeal swelling, pharyngeal oedema, swollen tongue and tongue oedema) Psychiatric Disorders Not known Depressed mood Nervous System Disorders Very common Headache

Uncommon Dizziness Eye disorders Not known Eye irritation Cardiac disorders Common Chest pain Uncommon Palpitations Not known Heart rate increased Vascular disorders Not known Hypotension Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Uncommon Dyspnoea Gastrointestinal Disorders Uncommon Nausea Not known Vomiting Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Common Hypertrichosis (unwanted non-scalp hair including facial hair growth in women) Pruritus (including rash pruritic generalised and eye pruritus) Rash (including pustular, popular, generalised, vestibular and macular rash) Dermatitis (including contact, allergic, atopic and seborrhoeic dermatitis) Rare Changes in hair texture Not known Dry skin Skin exfoliation (including exfoliative rash and dermatitis exfoliative) Acne (acneiform rash) Temporary hair loss (see section 4.4) Changes in hair colour General disorders and administration site conditions Common Oedema peripheral Not known Application site reactions (These sometimes involve nearby structures like the ears and face and typically consist of pruritus, irritation, pain, rash, oedema, dry skin, erythema and rash erythematous but can sometimes be more severe and include exfoliation, dermatitis, blistering, bleeding and ulceration) Investigations Common Weight increased

 

Increased systemic absorption of Minoxidil may potentially occur if higher-than-recommended doses of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution are applied to larger surface areas of the body or areas other than the scalp. Because of the concentration of Minoxidil in Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution accidental ingestion has the potential of producing systemic effects related to the pharmacological action of the drug (2 ml of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution contains 100 mg Minoxidil; the maximum recommended adult dose for oral Minoxidil administration in the treatment of hypertension). Signs and symptoms of Minoxidil overdosage would primarily be cardiovascular effects associated with sodium and water retention. Tachycardia, hypotension, dizziness and lethargy can also occur. Treatment Treatment of Minoxidil overdosage should be symptomatic and supportive. Fluid retention can be managed with appropriate diuretic therapy. Clinically significant tachycardia can be controlled by administration of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent.

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties Pharmacotherapeutic group: other dermatologicals, ATC code: D11AX The effect of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution has been assessed in a phase III clinical trial conducted over a 48-week treatment period. In this study Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution was compared to the product vehicle without the Minoxidil active ingredient and also to 2% Minoxidil cutaneous solution. The primary efficacy criterion was non-vellus hair count in a 1.0cm2 reference area of affected scalp. The mean changes observed in this parameter in these studies were significantly in favour of active treatment. A significant dose effect was also demonstrated. The results are summarized in the following table:

 

Mean change in non-vellus hair count in reference 1cm2 area of scalp compared with baseline
Minoxidil Solution (n=139)
Minoxidil 5%
(n=142)
Minoxidil 2%
(n=71)
Vehicle
Pair wise comparison
Baseline
151.1
143.6
152.4
Mean change from baseline
Mean change from baseline
Mean change from baseline
8 weeks
+29.7
+24.9
+14.3
5%>2%>vehicle
16 weeks
+35.3
+29.8
+15.3
5%>2%>vehicle
32 weeks
+29.0
+22.2
+7.7
5%>2%>vehicle
48 weeks
+18.6
+12.7
+3.9
5%>2%>vehicle Efficacy was further assessed by comparing photographs taken at various time-points with baseline.

 

Efficacy was further assessed by comparing photographs taken at various time-points with baseline. Assessment was undertaken by patients using a 100mm visual analogue scale and assessing scalp coverage where point 0 represented much less scalp coverage, 50mm no difference and 100mm much more scalp coverage. In addition, an assessment was undertaken by 2 blinded reviewers who compared photographs taken at baseline and after 48 weeks. Differences were assessed using a 7 point categorical scale viz: Dense growth Moderate growth Minimal growth No change Minimal loss Moderate loss Dense loss The results of these analyses were as follows: Patient evaluation of change in scalp coverage
Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution
(n=139)
Minoxidil 5%
(n=142)
Minoxidil 2%
(n=71)
Vehicle
Pair wise comparison
mm
mm
mm
16 weeks
63.5
58.2
51.4
5%>2%>vehicle
32 weeks
63.4
58.0
52.0
5%>2%>vehicle
48 weeks
62
56.9
51.0
5%>2%>vehicle

 

Photographic Evaluation of Clinical Response (Reviewer 1)
Dense Growth
%
Moderate Growth
%
Minimal Growth
%
No change
%
Hair Loss
%
Unable to rate
Minoxidil 5%
2.2
37.4
22.3
31.7
5.0
1.4
Minoxidil 2%
2.8
19.7
21.1
50.0
2.8
3.5
Vehicle
0
7.0
22.5
60.0
9.9
0 Photographic Evaluation of Clinical Response (Reviewer 2)
Dense Growth
%
Moderate Growth
%
Minimal Growth
%
No change
%
Hair Loss
%
Unable to rate
Minoxidil 5%
10.1
20.1
23.7
28.8
6.5
10.8
Minoxidil 2%
3.5
12.0
22.5
47.2
1.4
13.4
Vehicle
0
7.0
9.9
60.6
14.1
8.5 Based upon these photographic data, around 60% of the patients experienced an increased scalp coverage after 48 weeks treatment with Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution as defined by re-growth of hair; compared with around 23% at an average for those who received vehicle alone. Of these, around 35% treated with Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution experienced dense or moderate regrowth compared with around 7% who received vehicle alone. In addition 30% of patients who received Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution were adjudged to have no change between the photographic assessments of hair growth compared with 60% who received vehicle alone. Stabilization of hair loss (expressed both as regrowth of hair and no continuation of hair loss) can therefore be expected in about 4 out of 5 of patients using Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution compared with 3 out of 4 patients using vehicle alone. Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution may therefore be considered by men who wish to achieve a faster onset and greater degree of hair regrowth than would be expected through the use of Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution. The mechanism by which Minoxidil stimulates hair growth is not fully understood, but Minoxidil can reverse the hair loss process of androgenetic alopecia by the following means: - increasing the diameter of the hair shaft - stimulating anagen growth - prolonging the anagen phase - stimulating anagen recovery from the telegon phase As a peripheral vasodilator Minoxidil enhances microcirculation to hair follicles. The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is stimulated by Minoxidil and VEGF is presumably responsible for the increased capillary fenestration, indicative of a high metabolic activity, observed during the anagen phase.

 

The failure to detect evidence of systemic effects during treatment with Minoxidil 5% w/v Solution reflects the poor absorption of topically applied Minoxidil from normal intact skin. Systemic absorption of Minoxidil from topically applied solution ranges between 1% and 2% of the total applied dose. The systemic absorption of Minoxidil from a 5% solution formulation has been estimated in a pharmacokinetic study in subjects with androgenetic alopecia, which included 5% topical foam as a comparator. This demonstrated that in men, the systemic absorption of Minoxidil from twice daily application of 5% Minoxidil solution was about twice that, as observed with 5% Minoxidil foam. The mean steady state AUC (0-12 hr) and Cmax for 5% Minoxidil foam, 8.81 ng·hr/mL and 1.11 ng/mL, respectively, were both approximately 50 % of AUC (0-12 hr) and Cmax of the 5% solution, 18.71 ng·hr/mL and 2.13 ng/mL, respectively. The time to maximum Minoxidil concentration (Tmax) for the 5% solution, 5.79 hr, was similar to Tmax for the 5% foam, 5.42 hr. There is some evidence from in vitro studies that Minoxidil reversibly binds to human plasma proteins. However, since only 1 – 2% of topically applied Minoxidil is absorbed, the extent of plasma protein binding occurring in vivo after topical application would be clinically insignificant. The volume of distribution of Minoxidil after intravenous administration has been estimated at 70 litres. Approximately 60% Minoxidil absorbed after topical application is metabolised to Minoxidil glucuronide, primarily in the liver. Minoxidil and its metabolites are excreted almost entirely in the urine, with a very minor degree of elimination via the faeces. Following cessation of dosing, approximately 95% of topically applied Minoxidil will be eliminated within four days.

Preclinical data reveal no special hazards for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenic potential. Cardiac effects of Minoxidil in dogs are species-specific in terms of the low doses that cause profound haemodynamic effects and associated changes in the heart. Available data indicate that similar cardiac effects do not occur in humans treated topically or orally with Minoxidil. Mutagenicity Minoxidil showed no evidence of mutagenic/genotoxic potential in a number of in vitro and in vivo assays. Teratogenicity Animal reproduction toxicity studies in rats and rabbits have shown signs of maternal toxicity and a risk to the foetus at exposure levels that are very high compared to those, intended for human exposure. A low, albeit remote, risk of foetal harm is possible in humans. Fertility Preclinical fertility studies in rats have shown Minoxidil doses equal to or greater than 3 mg/kg/day (at least 8-fold human exposure) when administered orally and greater than 9 mg/kg/day (at least 25-fold human exposure) when administered subcutaneously were associated with reduced conception and implantation rates as well as a reduction in the number of live pups.

• 6.1 List of excipients Propylene glycolEthanolWater

Not applicable.

3 years (36 Months).

Un-opening: Do not store above 30°C.In use shelf life: Discard the bottle after one month from opening.Minoxil 5% w/v Cutaneous Solution is flammable

60 ml of Minoxil 5% w/v is filled in HDPE bottle with spray-pump applicator, and packed in one carton along with PIL.

The solution is flammable. Do not use while smoking, or near any naked flames or heat source. Avoid exposure of the container and contents to naked flames should be avoided during use, storage and disposal. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with the local requirements.