I am using over the counter topical minoxidil and I am little bit concerned. I asked again about its safety in this thread https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/forums/medical-q-a-with-dr-jordan-feigenbaum-and-dr-austin-baraki/85856-minoxidil . I saw a study that was done in 1988 which mentioned some problems with minox https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1386573/pdf/brjclinpharm00094-0143.pdf . Minox was approved for over the counter use in 1997. How can I wrap my mind around minox being safe with a study like the previous one?
The vast majority of people who have been studied using topical minoxidil do not have adverse reactions including the one listed in the study cited. A review of available meta analyses and primary literature confirms this. That said, most guidelines and other less formal recommendations advise against its use in those with established cardiovascular disease and/or those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, despite the adverse effect being rare.
As far as how to interpret this, there are very few, if any, free lunches out there. Weighing the known risks and benefits based on available evidence should be done for an intervention (or lack thereof).
Edit: covered by Jordan
However, I would not consider the changes observed in that study to be clinically significant, especially for a person without existing heart disease.
Thank you very much