Loniten 10mg (minoxidil)

Loniten general information

What is Loniten used for?

Loniten tablets 10mg are used to treat severe hypertension, which is very high blood pressure when at rest, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney damage.  Loniten tablets 10mg are used as part of combination therapy when a single medication does not lower blood pressure sufficiently and is used in conjunction with two other medications to help lower blood pressure, usually a diuretic, to prevent water retention and another medication like a beta-blocker, to prevent increase in heart rate (tachycardia).  Loniten tablets 10mg reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and end organ damage, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels. 

How does Loniten work?

Loniten tablets 10mg contain minoxidil, a vasodilator that is used to treat severe hypertension to lower blood pressure.  Minoxidil in Loniten tablets 10mg acts directly on the smooth muscle cells in the walls of small peripheral arteries (arterioles), allowing them to relax and widen (vasodilation), which reduces resistance to blood flow by allowing blood to flow more freely.  This action of minoxidil in Loniten tablets 10mg reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, and increases oxygen supply to the heart, and this in turn decreases blood pressure. 

What does Loniten contain?

Loniten tablets contain the active ingredient minoxidil 10mg, a vasodilator used to treat hypertension.  They also contain colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Loniten

Loniten tablets 10mg contain minoxidil, a vasodilator that is used to treat severe hypertension, which is very high blood pressure when at rest to reduce the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack.  Minoxidil in Loniten tablets 10mg acts directly on the smooth muscle cells in the walls of small peripheral arteries (arterioles), allowing them to relax and widen (vasodilation), reducing resistance to blood flow by allowing blood to flow more freely through the peripheral circulation.  This reduces the workload on the heart and decreases blood pressure.  Loniten tablets 10mg are used as part of combination therapy when a single medication does not lower blood pressure sufficiently and is used in conjunction with two other blood pressure lowering medications, usually a diuretic and a beta-blocker.  

What are the side effects of Loniten?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Loniten tablets 10mg include peripheral oedema (swelling around hands and feet due to water retention), weight gain, increased heart rate, hypertrichosis (increased hair growth) and gastrointestinal problems (nausea, diarrhoea).

When should Loniten not be used?

You should not use Loniten tablets 10mg if you:

• are allergic to minoxidil or any ingredients in Loniten
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have phaeochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal glands)
• have angina or have recently had a heart attack or stroke
• are taking medicines that interact with Loniten, including: other medications for high blood pressure, like betanidine or guanethidine

How should Loniten be taken?

You should take your Loniten tablets 10mg with a glass of water once daily.  Your doctor may increase your dose depending on how well you respond and you will be monitored regularly.  You should continue to take your Loniten tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long term as it controls your hypertension but does not cure it.

How long should you take Loniten?

You should continue to take your Loniten tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be long term as it controls your hypertension but does not cure it.

Missed dose of Loniten

If you miss a dose of Loniten tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Loniten be stored?

You should store your Loniten tablets 10mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.