Levonorgestrel vs Minoxidil: side-by-side comparison
Levonorgestrel (Synthetic progestin (emergency contraception)) and Minoxidil (Hair-loss treatment / vasodilator) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Levonorgestrel | Minoxidil |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Synthetic progestin (emergency contraception) | Hair-loss treatment / vasodilator |
| CAS | 797-63-7 | 38304-91-5 |
| ATC | G03AC03 | D11AX01 |
| Molecular weight | 312.5 g/mol | 209.25 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Levonorgestrel and Minoxidil share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Levonorgestrel acts by a different mechanism than Minoxidil, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Levonorgestrel: En contraception d'urgence, le lévonorgestrel agit principalement en retardant ou en inhibant l'ovulation lorsqu'il est pris avant le pic de LH. Minoxidil: Le minoxidil est un ouvreur des canaux potassiques qui produit une vasodilatation artériolaire.
Indications compared
Levonorgestrel: Le lévonorgestrel est autorisé en contraception d'urgence (dose unique de 1,5 mg), en contraception orale régulière (associé à l'éthinylestradiol ou en progestatif seul), et comme principe actif des dispositifs intra-uté… Minoxidil: Le minoxidil local est autorisé dans l'alopécie androgénétique de l'homme et de la femme, y compris après la ménopause.
Safety profile
Levonorgestrel: Les effets indésirables fréquents de la contraception d'urgence comprennent nausées, céphalées, fatigue, vertiges, tension mammaire et modifications du cycle menstruel. Minoxidil: Les effets indésirables locaux sont surtout cutanés : irritation du cuir chevelu, dermatite, chute paradoxale durant les premières semaines (habituellement transitoire) et pilosité faciale indésirable par transfert invol…
Questions fréquentes
Is Levonorgestrel better than Minoxidil? ▾
Levonorgestrel and Minoxidil are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Levonorgestrel and Minoxidil be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Levonorgestrel
Products with Minoxidil
Les informations publiées sur ce site sont fournies à titre documentaire et pédagogique. Elles ne remplacent pas l'avis d'un professionnel de santé qualifié.