Minoxidil Overdose: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

June 2025 in “ Cureus ”

Masakazu Kakurai, Yoshihiro Moriyama

minoxidil hypotension tachycardia alpha-adrenergic agonists phenylephrine midodrine norepinephrine myocardial infarction Rogaine

Studysummary This case report details a 61-year-old man's overdose on oral minoxidil, resulting in systemic side effects like hypotension and edema, which resolved without intervention; similar symptoms were observed in 14 other patients after minoxidil ingestion. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This case report and literature review discuss the systemic side effects of minoxidil overdose, analyzing 14 cases, including the current one. Symptoms such as hypotension and tachycardia appeared within 6 hours after ingesting 100-3000 mg of minoxidil. Fluid therapy was found ineffective for hypotension, with recommendations to use peripherally acting alpha-adrenergic agonists like phenylephrine, midodrine, and norepinephrine instead. Only one patient suffered a myocardial infarction, and no deaths were reported. The study stresses the importance of educating users on the safe use of minoxidil and calls for further research to develop effective treatment strategies.

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research A Very Bad Hair Day: Minoxidil Ingestion Causing Shock and Heart Failure

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In this case report, a young female who unintentionally ingested topical minoxidil experienced severe circulatory shock and acute pulmonary edema, emphasizing the need for immediate treatment with fluid resuscitation and vasopressors.

research Topical Minoxidil Overdose in a Young Man With Androgenetic Alopecia: A Case Report

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In this case report, a 23-year-old man experienced dizziness, blurred vision, malaise, and fatigue after excessive use of topical minoxidil for three days, with symptoms resolving once minoxidil was discontinued.

research Minoxidil Overdose With Hypotension Effectively Managed With Norepinephrine, Rather Than Dopamine

February 2023 in “Clinical Toxicology”

This letter to the editor raises concerns about minoxidil, an arterial vasodilator also used for androgenic alopecia, noting that overdose can cause severe side effects such as distributive shock, pulmonary edema, and myocardial ischemia.

research Oral Minoxidil Treatment for Hair Loss: A Review of Efficacy and Safety

59 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study concluded that oral minoxidil is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to topical minoxidil for healthy patients struggling with application-related compliance issues.

research Prolonged Hypotension Induced by Ingesting a Topical Minoxidil Solution: Analysis of Minoxidil and Its Metabolites

5 citations , March 2016 in “Acute medicine & surgery”

This case report describes a man who ingested a large amount of topical minoxidil solution and experienced serious and prolonged cardiovascular effects despite rapidly decreasing serum concentration levels.

Cardiovascular Effects of Ingesting Topical Minoxidil in Pediatric Patients

Minoxidil Overdose: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Research cited in this study

research A Very Bad Hair Day: Minoxidil Ingestion Causing Shock and Heart Failure

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research Minoxidil Overdose With Hypotension Effectively Managed With Norepinephrine, Rather Than Dopamine

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research Prolonged Hypotension Induced by Ingesting a Topical Minoxidil Solution: Analysis of Minoxidil and Its Metabolites

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