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,
May 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Hypertension” Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension, but watch for side effects.
35 citations,
July 1981 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics” Minoxidil can cause dangerous fluid buildup around the heart.
49 citations,
January 1980 in “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology” Minoxidil doesn't increase pericardial disorder risk, but may cause fluid accumulation.
1 citations,
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,
January 2018 in “Endocrine” Cantú syndrome may be linked to pituitary adenomas.
49 citations,
January 1980 in “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology” Minoxidil doesn't increase pericardial disorder risk, but may cause fluid accumulation.
