title: Could Topical Minoxidil Cause Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy?
abstract: Minoxidil hair formulation is commonly used for the treatment of male or female androgenic alopecia. Minoxidil is a Health Canada and US FDA-approved medication for hair loss in men and women. The drug is marketed as 2% and 5% topical solutions. This over-the-counter product is considered safe, but should be used with caution. Furthermore, minoxidil is an orally active vasodilator for treatment of severe hypertension. Typical side effects of minoxidil are faster heart rate, augmented heart function and stroke volume (which can be associated with reduced vascular resistance upon baroflex stimulus), retained sodium and water and abnormal hair growth. The most common adverse reactions of the topical formulation are limited to irritant and allergic contact dermatitis on the scalp. Herein, we report a non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy caused by topical 5% minoxidil treatment that was resolved after discontinuation of minoxidil.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Karabük Education and Researh Hospital , Karabük .
authors.forename: Habibullah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aktas
authors.affiliation: Consultant Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine , Antalya .
authors.forename: Sevil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alan
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Ophtalmology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine , Antalya .
authors.forename: Elif Betül
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Türkoglu
authors.affiliation: Consultant Ophtalmologist, Department of Ophtalmology, Karabük Education and Researh Hospital , Karabük .
authors.forename: Özge
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Sevik
keywords: Androgeneticalopecia; Eye; NAION; Optic nerve