Mintop Forte Solution general information

What is Mintop Forte Solution used for?

Mintop Forte Solution 5% is a topical treatment for androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.  Mintop Forte Solution is used in men to stabilise hair loss and induce regrowth of hair in areas where the hair is thinning, but should not be used for frontal baldness or receding hairline.  Mintop Forte Solution 5% is most effective where hair loss has just started or is recent and there are smaller areas of hair loss of the vertex.  Mintop Forte Solution cannot cure baldness but can prevent the progression of hair loss in the frontal areas of the scalp as well as the vertex area.  Mintop Forte 5 is not suitable for use by women with female pattern baldness. 

How does Mintop Forte Solution work?

Mintop Forte 5 contains minoxidil, which is a vasodilator (dilates or widens blood vessels) and is thought to directly stimulate hair follicles to grow by increasing blood flow in the scalp and enhancing cell proliferation in hair follicles that were in resting phase.  Another possible mechanism is that minoxidil in Mintop Forte 5 stimulates active growth of hair, which prolongs active growth phase (anagen) and prevents hair growth entering the resting phase (telogen) too early.  Minoxidil in Mintop Forte Solution 5% also increases the size of the hair follicle.  Hair loss is due to shrinking hair follicles that gradually produce smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  The longer hair follicles are inactive the harder it is for them to respond and begin new growth. 

What does Mintop Forte Solution contain?

Mintop Forte Solution contains the active ingredient minoxidil (5%) that is used to treat male pattern baldness. 

Treating hair loss with Mintop Forte Solution

Mintop Forte Solution 5% contains minoxidil that is used as a topical treatment for androgenic alopecia in men, or male pattern baldness, and is used to stabilise hair loss and induce regrowth of new hair in areas where the hair is thinning, but should not be used for frontal baldness or receding hairline.  Hair loss is due to shrinking hair follicles that gradually produce smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  The longer hair follicles are inactive the harder it is for them to respond and begin new growth.  Minoxidil in Mintop Forte Solution 5% is thought to stimulate hair follicles to grow by increasing blood flow in the scalp and enhancing cell proliferation in hair follicles that were in resting phase.  Minoxidil in Mintop Forte 5 is also thought to stimulate active growth of hair, which prolongs active growth phase (anagen) and prevents hair growth entering the resting phase (telogen) too early.  Minoxidil in Mintop Forte Solution 5% also increases the size of the hair follicle.   Mintop Forte 5 is most effective where hair loss has just started or is recent and there are smaller areas of hair loss of the vertex.  Mintop Forte Solution 5 cannot cure baldness but can prevent the progression of hair loss in the frontal areas of the scalp as well as the vertex area.  Mintop Forte Solution 5 is not suitable for use by women with female pattern baldness.

What are the side effects of Mintop Forte Solution?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Mintop Forte Solution are local irritation at the site of application including redness, dry skin, itching, burning sensation, scalp flaking and rash.  Hair colour or texture may be altered with increased hair loss at first as old hairs make way for new hairs, also contact of Mintop Forte Solution 5 with other areas such as the forehead may cause hypertrichosis or unwanted hair growth.  Other side effects include headache, chest pain and swelling (oedema).

When should Mintop Forte Solution not be used?

You should not use Mintop Forte Solution if you:

• are allergic to minoxidil or any ingredients in Mintop Forte Solution
• do not have a family history of hair loss
• have inflamed, irritated, infected or painful scalp, including sunburn and psoriasis
• have hypertension (high blood pressure)
• have cardiovascular disease without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Mintop Forte Solution including other topical medications like tretinoin for acne, anthralin and dithranol for psoriasis or corticosteroids.

How should Mintop Forte Solution be used?

You should apply your Mintop Forte solution 5% twice a day, morning and evening, when the hair and scalp are clean and dry, to the areas of your scalp where you are losing hair.  Apply to the centre of the affected area and spread the solution gently over the skin to cover all the affected area.  Allow the solution to dry for 4 hours before washing or leave to dry for 2-4 hours before going to bed.  Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after use; ensure that you only apply your Mintop Forte Solution 5% lotion to the scalp, to prevent unwanted hair growth on other parts of the body.  Apply Mintop Forte 5 only to areas of scalp that are healthy and where the skin is not broken.  You should use your Mintop Forte solution 5% continuously and new hair growth will be seen after 2-3 months.  If you stop using Mintop Forte Solution 5 the new growth will stop and you will lose the new hair.

How long should you take Mintop Forte Solution?

You should use your Mintop Forte solution 5% continuously and new hair growth will be seen after 2-3 months.  If you stop using Mintop Forte 5 the new growth will stop and you will lose the new hair.

Missed dose of Mintop Forte Solution

If you miss an application of Mintop Forte Solution take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply more than twice a day to make up for a missed application. 

How should Mintop Forte Solution be stored?

You should store your Mintop Forte Solution below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.