Minoxidil for Control of Acute Blood Pressure Elevation in Chronically Hypertensive Children

In 1986, a study was conducted on 13 chronically hypertensive children aged 2 to 18 years, who experienced 23 episodes of acute blood pressure elevation related to renal disease. These episodes were treated with a single oral dose of minoxidil. The goal was to lower blood pressure to or below the 95th percentile for age within four hours of minoxidil administration. This goal was achieved in 14 of the 23 treatment episodes. When the dose of minoxidil was ≥0.2 mg/kg, the goal was achieved in 82% of cases, and when the dose was <0.2 mg/kg, it was achieved in 42% of cases. In patients treated with ≥0.2 mg/kg of minoxidil, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from pretreatment values within one hour. Adverse effects were minimal. The study concluded that minoxidil in a dose of 0.2 mg/kg in combination with a diuretic and β-blocking agent can lower blood pressure to safe levels in most patients with severe hypertension related to renal disease within four hours with minimal side effects.