Pleuropericardial Effusion Associated With Minoxidil Administration

A patient on minoxidil developed pericardial and pleural effusions with a high protein content, which is not compatible with the view that such effusions in patients taking minoxidil are transudates. Minoxidil is a powerful vasodilator hypotensive drug which has been used extensively to control blood pressure in patients with renal failure. Pericardial effusions are associated with minoxidil therapy. The patient reported here developed a pericardial effusion with a high protein content and also pleural effusions. It is suggested that mechanisms other than fluid overload and uraemia may have a role in minoxidil related effusions.