Minoxidil: An Underused Vasodilator for Resistant or Severe Hypertension

May 2004 in “ Journal of Clinical Hypertension ”

Domenic A. Sica

Studysummary Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension, but watch for side effects.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The article discusses the use of minoxidil as a vasodilator for the treatment of resistant or severe hypertension. While it can effectively lower blood pressure, there are potential side effects such as reflex tachycardia, elevated pulmonary artery pressures, and hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth). The authors conclude that minoxidil is an effective treatment option for resistant or severe hypertension, but caution that its use should be carefully monitored due to the potential for side effects.

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Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article reviews the mechanisms by which minoxidil stimulates hair growth and reports no new clinical findings.

research Topically Applied Minoxidil May Cause Fetal Malformation: A Case Report

29 citations , December 2003 in “Teratology”

This case report describes fetal malformations and placental abnormalities in a pregnant woman who applied minoxidil topically, suggesting potential risks of its use during pregnancy.

research Generalized Hypertrichosis After Treatment With Topical Minoxidil

20 citations , March 1994 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

In this case report, a 16-year-old girl developed generalized hypertrichosis after using excessive doses of topical minoxidil for diffuse alopecia, which resolved four months after stopping treatment.

research Hair Loss With Minoxidil Withdrawal

15 citations , September 1992 in “The Lancet”

Stopping minoxidil caused significant hair loss, but regrowth occurred after resuming use.

research Topical Minoxidil: Cardiac Effects in Bald Men

45 citations , October 1988 in “British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology”

This study found that topical minoxidil increased heart rate and had significant effects on cardiac volumes and mass compared to placebo, but its long-term safety remains uncertain.

research Severe Hypertrichosis of the External Ear Canal During Minoxidil Therapy

15 citations , August 1988 in “Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery”

This paper reports a case of severe hypertrichosis in the external ear canal due to minoxidil use, leading to chronic otitis externa and hearing loss.

research Minoxidil: A Review of Its Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Use

96 citations , October 1981 in “Drugs”

Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension but may cause side effects, so careful monitoring is needed.

research Minoxidil and Pericardial Effusion: An Idiosyncratic Reaction

35 citations , July 1981 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

Minoxidil can cause dangerous fluid buildup around the heart.

research Minoxidil

45 citations , January 1981 in “Annals of Internal Medicine”

Minoxidil controls blood pressure effectively, but may cause side effects like hypertrichosis.

research Renal Function During Long-Term Treatment of Hypertension with Minoxidil

90 citations , November 1980 in “Annals of Internal Medicine”

This study observed that prolonged minoxidil treatment may improve renal function in some patients with refractory malignant hypertension, whereas the impact was mixed in patients with benign hypertension.

research Pericardial Disorders During Open-Label Study of 1,869 Severely Hypertensive Patients Treated with Minoxidil

49 citations , January 1980 in “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology”

Minoxidil doesn't increase pericardial disorder risk, but may cause fluid accumulation.

research Hypertrichosis Due to Minoxidil

45 citations , November 1979 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This report describes a case of hypertrichosis associated with minoxidil use and suggests that nearly all patients on this drug may experience this side effect.

research Treatment of Severe Hypertension with Minoxidil: Advantages and Limitations

37 citations , April 1979 in “The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology”

Minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure but side effects may limit its use.

research Minoxidil for Severe Hypertension After Failure of Other Hypotensive Drugs

86 citations , September 1977 in “BMJ”

Minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure in severe cases, but has serious side effects and causes hair growth in women.

research A Method for Achieving Blood Pressure Control Expeditiously with Oral Minoxidil

18 citations , July 1975 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

Oral minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure quickly and safely.

$Minoxidil: An Alternative to Nephrectomy for Refractory Hypertension$

research Minoxidil: An Alternative to Nephrectomy for Refractory Hypertension

180 citations , July 1973 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, minoxidil effectively reduced blood pressure to near normal levels in patients with malignant or accelerated hypertension resistant to conventional treatments, offering a potential alternative to nephrectomy.

research Pharmacokinetic Studies of Minoxidil

90 citations , May 1972 in “Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics”

Minoxidil quickly leaves blood, turns into urine metabolites, and has lasting blood pressure-lowering effects.