Acute cardiomyopathy induced by the vasodilating antihypertensive agent minoxidil

March 1979 in “Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology”

Eugene H. Herman, Tibor Balazs, Robert H. Young, Francis L. Earl, Stephen Krop, Victor J. Ferrans

TLDR Minoxidil can cause heart muscle damage in dogs.

The study found that minoxidil, a vasodilating antihypertensive drug, can induce acute cardiomyopathy in dogs, causing heart muscle damage. The authors suggest that detection of myocardial necrosis should be an important factor in assessing the overall cardiotoxic potential of vasodilating antihypertensive drugs.

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Cited in this study

research MINOXIDIL IN RESISTANT HYPERTENSION

102 citations , September 1977 in “The Lancet”

Minoxidil with propranolol and diuretics lowers blood pressure but causes fluid retention and hair growth.

$Minoxidil — An Alternative to Nephrectomy for Refractory Hypertension$

research Minoxidil — An Alternative to Nephrectomy for Refractory Hypertension

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Minoxidil effectively lowers blood pressure with few side effects.

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Minoxidil relaxes rat blood vessels mainly through nitric oxide and potassium channels.