Definition

A medication that helps widen blood vessels and is used to lower blood pressure and promote hair growth in certain types of hair loss.

Example

Minoxidil is often recommended for people experiencing hair thinning or loss.

Conversation

Have you heard about minoxidil for hair regrowth?

Yeah, I saw an ad for it online last week.

I’m thinking of trying minoxidil since my hair is thinning.

That could be a good idea; I've heard it works for some people!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Minoxidil is derived from the chemical name where 'min-' is a prefix indicating a derivative of the compound, and 'oxidil' relates to the presence of oxygen in the molecular structure. The name reflects its chemical composition and function as a vasodilator, which helps to increase blood flow.

Memory Tip

Think of 'min-' as a part of a chemical compound and 'oxidil' indicating the presence of oxygen, which helps you remember that minoxidil is a substance that works to improve blood flow.

Visually Confused Words