TLDR Stopping minoxidil and draining fluid around the heart can save lives in rare cases.
Minoxidil-induced pleuro-pericardial effusion, particularly when complicated by cardiac tamponade, requires prompt pericardiocentesis and discontinuation of the drug to be lifesaving. This report details a rare case in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis, who showed improvement following these interventions.
74 citations
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May 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Hypertension” Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension, but watch for side effects.
35 citations
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July 1981 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics” Minoxidil can cause dangerous fluid buildup around the heart.
49 citations
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January 1980 in “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology” Minoxidil doesn't increase pericardial disorder risk, but may cause fluid accumulation.
1 citations
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March 2023 in “Journal of the American College of Cardiology” 
May 2025 in “European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine” Minoxidil can cause life-threatening heart complications, so careful monitoring is essential.
December 2021 in “Black sea journal of health science” Valproic acid can cause a rare allergic reaction leading to fluid around the lungs and heart, which is treatable by changing medication.
14 citations
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January 2018 in “Endocrine” Cantú syndrome may be linked to pituitary adenomas.
49 citations
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January 1980 in “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology” Minoxidil doesn't increase pericardial disorder risk, but may cause fluid accumulation.
