Malformations in the embryo still topical with Minoxidil therapy?!
June 23, 2012 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch
Hello dear Ask a Doctor team,
I was at the gynecologist yesterday and I am pregnant, at the end of the 6th week.
Actually a reason for great joy.
But now I am afraid for my unborn child because I have been using Minoxidil 5% + Estradiolbenzoate 0.06% topically once daily as a hair tincture due to hair loss for some time now.
Of course, I will stop using it from today on! But could my baby have already developed malformations because of this? I have read about vascular anomalies, brain malformations, heart defects...
And all the organs are forming in the first 12 weeks...
And now I am just scared!
I hope you can help me quickly!!! Thank you in advance!
Dear questioner,
I don't think you have harmed your unborn child with that. Minoxidil is also used as a blood pressure medication and according to the Red List, it can be continued during pregnancy with strict indications. When taking a substance as a tablet, much more of it reaches the blood compared to just applying it to the scalp.
On the internet you can find the following information; (ATTENTION, APPLIES TO taking tablets!)
Minoxidil (Lonolox®) dilates blood vessels and is prescribed as an antihypertensive, usually in combination with a beta blocker and a diuretic. It is also used as a topical solution (Regaine®) to promote hair growth on the scalp. There are no large cohort studies on the use of Minoxidil during pregnancy, only some case reports. The newborns were healthy, but had hypertrichosis. Hypertrichosis is a typical side effect of Minoxidil in adults and children. In the newborns, it gradually decreased over the first 6 months of life. One exposed fetus had severe cardiovascular malformations and died shortly after birth. Another child was born with hypertrichosis, omphalocele, heart defects, urogenital system malformations, and facial dysmorphia. Except for hypertrichosis, a causal relationship with the observed anomalies is not assumed, but monitoring of the medication should continue. Taking the medication when the pregnancy is initially unknown is not a reason for terminating the pregnancy.
Hypertrichosis is excessive hairiness.
In my opinion, you should stop using the solution if you want to be sure. Your child's organs develop between the 6th and 12th week, so the critical time is just beginning.
In every pregnancy, there are millions of things that can happen, which can drive you crazy. Eat healthily, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, take folic acid, and go to the gynecologist for all checks.
And BE HAPPY that you are pregnant, you should assume that pregnancy is a wonderful experience and that your child will be born healthy.
Congratulations on that.
I hope I could calm you down a bit.
All the best for you, please let me know if you have any more questions.
