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Minoxidil

Hi,

Apologies if this has been raised before but I am having the worlds worst flare up at the minute along with having an anal fissure. I have had my Crohns/Ulcerative Proctitis for the last 11 years and never been through this before. 20+BM's per day mainly diarrhea.

I started using minoxidil for hair re-growth about 4 weeks ago when my flare up first started and when my fissure first appeared. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this just coincidence? I have today stopped taking minoxidil and wondered how long it will take to get out of my blood stream?

I have been using Pred Tablets 20-40 mg per day along with my usual Azathioprine and it is having no effect. Usually the Pred works within days of starting but nothing in 4 weeks.

Help!!!!!
 

Jennifer

Adminstrator
Staff member
Location
SLO
Hi Mjw11 and welcome to the forum! :D

"Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting have been reported during treatment with minoxidil topical." http://www.drugs.com/sfx/minoxidil-topical-side-effects.html

"Any other skin problems, an irritation, or a sunburn on the scalp—These conditions may cause too much topical minoxidil to be absorbed into the body and may increase the chance of side effects." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601937/DSECTION=before-using

So far this is all I could find concerning how long Minoxidil stays in the bloodstream: "Minoxidil has a blood half-life of about 4 hours, but I can not determine how long it hangs around the kidney, heart, or other organs when it is out of the blood." http://www.baldingblog.com/2006/04/21/how-long-does-minoxidil-stay-in-my-body/ There's much more reading in that link but I believe it will take more than 4 hours to be completely out of your system.

As a side note just so you know both Prednisone and Azathioprine have been linked to hair loss.

If you haven't already you should followup with your GI.
 
Thanks Jennifer.

I contacted minoxidil direct and they advised that they have never heard of minoxidil causing GI problems however I find it too much of a coincidence that my flare up started when I started to use it.

Still doesnt explain why the prednisolone isn't working though, any thoughts on that?

Michael
 

Jennifer

Adminstrator
Staff member
Location
SLO
You say you use 20-40mg per day. I find that a tad confusing. How much do you take everyday? If its 20mg you may be on too low of a dose. 40mg could also be too low depending on how much inflammation you're dealing with. Another possibility is that the Prednisone itself could be causing problems with healing. I need to do more research on the subject myself but I've been hearing rumors on the forum that Prednisone does more harm than good for patients with Crohn's. I do believe there is scientific backing but I have yet to look up the information myself. Have you ever tried Entocort?
 
I've started using Minoxidil recently aswell and I have ulcerative colitis and started feeling some discomfort in my bowls and like I had a permanent stitch on both sides of my waist.
I stopped taking it for a week and it started to go away, then started again and started coming back just not as strong. So I think it definitely is doing something.
 
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