Minoxidil, Oral

Antihypertensive · Hair restorer

Indications

Treatment of hypertension that is symptomatic or associated with target organ damage and is not manageable with maximum therapeutic doses of a diuretic plus two other antihypertensive drugs.

Dosage

Adults and Children =12 yrs: 5 mg daily. May be increased to 10, 20 and then to 40 mg in single or divided doses if required. Max: 100 mg daily. Children <12 yrs: 0.2 mg/kg daily. Usual range is 0.25-1 mg/kg/day. Max: 50 mg daily.

Adverse Effects

Angina, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, hypertrichosis, nausea, vomiting. Change in lab findings (ECG, hematocrit, Hb, erythrocyte count, alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine, BUN).

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Pheochromocytoma. History of recent MI. Precautions: Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance and body weight during treatment. Observe patients for signs and symptoms of pericardial effusion. Renal failure.

Interactions

Guanethidine (avoid).

Advice to Patient

Keep check on your pulse rate while you are resting. If there is increase of 20 beats or more a minute over your normal pulse, contact prescriber immediately. Weigh yourself daily. If you quickly gain 5 or more pounds, or if there is any swelling or puffiness in the face/hands/ankles/stomach area, report to the prescriber. You may need to reduce the amount of salt you eat. Report difficulty in breathing, new or worsening of pain in the chest, arm, or shoulder or signs of severe indigestion, dizziness, light-headedness.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: 90% absorbed form the GI tract. Metabolism: 90% via conjugation with glucuronic acid at the N-oxide position in the pyrimidine ring, but also by conversion to more polar products. Half-life elimination: 4.2 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: 1 hr. Excretion: Urine.

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.