II. Indications

  1. Hypertension not controlled with other agents
    1. Not a first-line Antihypertensive (other agents are preferred)
    2. Oral Minoxidil as described on this page
  2. Alopecia
    1. See Topical Minoxidil

III. Contraindications: Systemic Minoxidil

  1. Ischemic Heart Disease (Minoxidil provokes Angina)
  2. Impaired Cardiac Function
  3. Impaired pulmonary function or preexisting Pulmonary Hypertension
  4. Severe renal Impairment (esp. CKD 5, GFR <10 ml/min)

IV. Mechanism

  1. Potent Direct Acting Vasodilator (similar to Hydralazine)
    1. Decreases Blood Pressure with compensatory reflex Tachycardia
  2. Minoxidil metabolized to active form Minoxidil sulphate by sulphotransferase enzymes
    1. Minoxidil sulphate opens plasma membrane ATP-sensitive Potassium channels (KATP channels)
    2. Results in rapid, direct arteriole Smooth Muscle relaxation
    3. Reduces Peripheral Vascular Resistance and lowers both systolic and diastolic pressure

V. Dosing: Hypertension in Adults

  1. Start 2.5 to 5 mg orally daily
  2. Titrate gradually no more often than every 3 days to 10 to 40 mg orally daily
  3. Maximum dose: 100 mg/day divided once to twice daily
  4. Renal Dosing
    1. GFR 10 to 50 ml/min: Dose only every 24 hours
    2. Avoid use in GFR <10 ml/min

VI. Dosing: Hypertension in Children (Not FDA approved)

  1. Start 0.2 mg/kg orally daily or divided twice daily
  2. Titrate gradually no more often than every 3 days to 0.25 to 1 mg/kg/day
  3. Maximum: 50 mg/day

VII. Adverse Effects: Systemic Minoxidil

  1. Adverse Effects with systemic Minoxidil do not apply to Topical Minoxidil
  2. Similar to Hydralazine
  3. Reflex Tachycardia
    1. Beta Blockers are often used in combination with Beta Blockers to counter reflex Tachycardia
  4. Leg Edema
    1. Due to reflex Sodium and water retention
    2. Diuretics are often combined with Hydralazine
  5. Cardiac Muscle Lesions
  6. Pulmonary Hypertension
  7. Hirsutism
  8. Pericardial Effusion or Cardiac Tamponade (asscoiated with underlying renal disease)

VIII. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category C
  2. Safe in Lactation

IX. Metabolism

  1. Glucuronide Conjugation

X. Drug Interactions

XII. References

  1. (2020) Med Lett Drugs Ther 62(1598): 73-80
  2. Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 68-9
  3. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

minoxidil (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
MINOXIDIL 10 MG TABLET Generic $0.21 each
MINOXIDIL 2.5 MG TABLET Generic $0.11 each

Ontology: Minoxidil (C0026196)

Definition (NCI) An orally administered vasodilator with hair growth stimulatory and antihypertensive effects. Minoxidil is converted into its active metabolite minoxidil sulphate by sulphotransferase enzymes. Minoxidil sulphate exerts its antihypertensive effect by opening of plasma membrane adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels), thereby directly and rapidly relaxing arteriolar smooth muscle and subsequent reduction of elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure by decreasing peripheral vascular resistance. This agent's hair growth stimulatory effect may be mediated through its vasodilatory activity, thereby increasing cutaneous blood flow, or due to its direct stimulatory effect on hair follicle cells and forcing them from their resting phase into their active growth phase.
Definition (MSH) A potent direct-acting peripheral vasodilator (VASODILATOR AGENTS) that reduces peripheral resistance and produces a fall in BLOOD PRESSURE. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p371)
Definition (CSP) potent long acting orally effective vasodilator, acting mainly on arterioles, used as an antihypertensive; also applied topically in the treatment of male pattern baldness of the vertex.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D008914
SnomedCT 332754004, 387272001, 49577002
LNC LP19149-1, MTHU007401
English Minoxidil, 2,4-Pyrimidinediamine, 6-(1-piperidinyl)-, 3-oxide, Minoxidil [androgen alopecia], 2,3-Dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-imino-6-(1-piperidinyl)-4-pyrimidinamine, 2,4-Pyrimidinediamine, 6-(1-Piperidinyl)-, 3-Oxide, minoxidil, minoxidil (medication), MINOXIDIL, Minoxidil [Chemical/Ingredient], minoxidil products, Minoxidil [androgen alopecia] (product), Minoxidil (product), Minoxidil (substance), Minoxidil [androgen alopecia] (substance)
Swedish Minoxidil
Czech minoxidil
Finnish Minoksidiili
Russian MINOKSIDIL, МИНОКСИДИЛ
Japanese ミノキシジル, ロニテン, リアップ
Polish Minoksydyl
Spanish minoxidil (alopecia androgénica), minoxidil (alopecia androgénica) (producto), minoxidil (producto), minoxidil (sustancia), minoxidilo, minoxidil, Minoxidil
French Minoxidil
German Minoxidil
Italian Minoxidil
Portuguese Minoxidil

Ontology: Loniten (C0699464)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D008914
English Loniten