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Minoxidil (Systemic)

Generic name: minoxidil systemic

Brand names: Loniten

Boxed Warning

Cardiac effects:

Minoxidil may produce serious adverse effects. It can cause pericardial effusion, occasionally progressing to tamponade, and it can exacerbate angina pectoris. Reserve for hypertensive patients who do not respond adequately to maximum therapeutic doses of a diuretic and 2 other antihypertensive agents.

In experimental animals, minoxidil caused several kinds of myocardial lesions and other adverse cardiac effects.

Appropriate use:

Administer under close supervision, usually concomitantly with therapeutic doses of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, to prevent tachycardia and increased myocardial workload. Usually, it must be given with a diuretic, frequently one acting in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle to prevent serious fluid accumulation. When first administering minoxidil, hospitalize and monitor patients with malignant hypertension and those already receiving guanethidine to avoid too rapid or large orthostatic decreases in blood pressure.

Dosage Forms

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Tablet, Oral:

Generic: 2.5 mg, 10 mg

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Produces vasodilation by directly relaxing arteriolar smooth muscle, with little effect on veins; effects may be mediated by cyclic AMP; stimulation of hair growth is secondary to vasodilation, increased cutaneous blood flow and stimulation of resting hair follicles

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

Metabolism

~90%, primarily via glucuronidation

Excretion

Urine (12% as unchanged drug)

Onset of Action

Hypotensive: ~30 minutes; Peak effect: 2 to 3 hours

Duration of Action

Up to 2 to 5 days

Half-Life Elimination

3.5 to 4.2 hours

Protein Binding

None

Use: Labeled Indications

Hypertension: Management of hypertension that is symptomatic or associated with target organ damage, and is not manageable with maximum therapeutic doses of a diuretic plus 2 other antihypertensives. Use in milder degrees of hypertension is not recommended because the benefit-risk ratio in such patients has not been defined. Note: Not recommended for the initial treatment of hypertension (ACC/AHA [Whelton 2017]).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to minoxidil or any component of the formulation; pheochromocytoma

Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Pulmonary hypertension associated with mitral stenosis; severe hepatic impairment

Dosage and Administration

Dosing: Adult

Hypertension (alternative agent): Oral: Initial: 5 mg once daily, increase dose gradually in 1 to 3 divided doses every 3 days or more (or every 6 hours with careful monitoring if rapid management required) up to a maximum dose of 100 mg/day (ACC/AHA [Whelton 2017]).

Note: Dosage adjustment is needed when added to concomitant therapy. If supine diastolic pressure reduced <30 mm Hg, administer dose once daily; if supine diastolic pressure reduced >30 mm Hg, administer dose in 2 divided equal parts.

Dosing: Geriatric

Hypertension: Initial: 2.5 mg once daily; increase gradually (ASH/ISH [Weber 2014])

Dosing: Pediatric

Hypertension, severe; resistant to multiple drugs:

Children <12 years: Initial: 0.2 mg/kg/dose once daily; maximum initial dose: 5 mg/dose; titrate to effect, may increase daily dose by 50% to 100% every 3 days; may need to divide doses 1 to 3 times daily; usual effective dosage range: 0.25 to 1 mg/kg/day in 1 to 3 divided doses; maximum daily dose: 50 mg/day (NHLBI 2011; Park 2014); Note: In situations where rapid blood pressure management required, may increase dose every 6 hours with careful monitoring.

Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Initial: 5 mg once daily, titrate to effect, may increase every 3 days by doubling daily dose (10 mg/day, 20 mg/day, and then 40 mg/day); may need to divide doses 1 to 3 times daily; usual effective daily dose range: 10 to 40 mg/day in 1 to 3 divided doses; maximum daily dose: 100 mg/day (NHLBI 2011; Park 2014); Note: In situations where rapid blood pressure management required, may increase dose every 6 hours with careful monitoring.

Storage

Store between 20°C and 25°C (68°F and 77°F).

Minoxidil (Systemic) Images

Drug Interactions

Alfuzosin: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Amifostine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Amifostine. Management: When amifostine is used at chemotherapy doses, blood pressure lowering medications should be withheld for 24 hours prior to amifostine administration. If blood pressure lowering therapy cannot be withheld, amifostine should not be administered. Consider therapy modification

Amphetamines: May diminish the antihypertensive effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Monitor therapy

Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]): Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]). Monitor therapy

Atazanavir: May increase the serum concentration of Minoxidil (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Barbiturates: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Benperidol: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Brigatinib: May diminish the antihypertensive effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Brigatinib may enhance the bradycardic effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Monitor therapy

Brimonidine (Topical): May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Bromperidol: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Bromperidol. Bromperidol may diminish the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Avoid combination

CycloSPORINE (Systemic): May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Minoxidil (Systemic). Severe hypertrichosis has been reported. Monitor therapy

Dapoxetine: May enhance the orthostatic hypotensive effect of Minoxidil (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Dexmethylphenidate: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Monitor therapy

Diazoxide: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

DULoxetine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of DULoxetine. Monitor therapy

Herbs (Hypertensive Properties): May diminish the antihypertensive effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Monitor therapy

Herbs (Hypotensive Properties): May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Hypotension-Associated Agents: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Hypotension-Associated Agents. Monitor therapy

Levodopa-Containing Products: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Levodopa-Containing Products. Monitor therapy

Lormetazepam: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Methylphenidate: May diminish the antihypertensive effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Monitor therapy

Molsidomine: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Naftopidil: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Nicergoline: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Nicorandil: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Nitroprusside: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Nitroprusside. Monitor therapy

Obinutuzumab: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Management: Consider temporarily withholding blood pressure lowering medications beginning 12 hours prior to obinutuzumab infusion and continuing until 1 hour after the end of the infusion. Consider therapy modification

Pentoxifylline: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Pholcodine: Blood Pressure Lowering Agents may enhance the hypotensive effect of Pholcodine. Monitor therapy

Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Probenecid: May increase the serum concentration of Minoxidil (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Prostacyclin Analogues: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Quinagolide: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents. Monitor therapy

Valproate Products: May increase the serum concentration of Minoxidil (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Yohimbine: May diminish the antihypertensive effect of Antihypertensive Agents. Monitor therapy

Adverse Reactions

Frequency not always defined.

Cardiovascular: ECG changes (T-wave changes 60%), edema (reversible, 7% to 10%), pericardial effusion (occasionally with tamponade, 3%), angina pectoris, cardiac failure, pericarditis, tachycardia

Dermatologic: Hypertrichosis (80%), bullous rash (rare), skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare), toxic epidermal necrolysis

Endocrine & metabolic: Sodium retention, water retention, weight gain

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting

Hematologic & oncologic: Decreased hematocrit (transient, hemodilution), decreased red blood cells (transient, hemodilution), hemoglobin (transient, hemodilution), leukopenia (rare), thrombocytopenia (rare)

Hepatic: Ascites, increased serum alkaline phosphatase

Renal: Increased blood urea nitrogen (transient), increased serum creatinine (transient)

Respiratory: Pulmonary edema (Lee 2011)

<1%, postmarketing, and/or case reports: Breast tenderness (rare)

Warnings/Precautions

Concerns related to adverse effects:

  • Fluid retention: May cause salt and water retention; administer with a diuretic, preferably a loop diuretic (eg, furosemide) to prevent fluid retention and subsequent local and generalized edema. Use with extreme caution in patients with heart failure.
  • Pericardial effusion/tamponade: [US Boxed Warning]: May cause pericarditis and pericardial effusion that may progress to tamponade; patients with renal impairment not on dialysis may be at higher risk. Use with caution in patients with heart failure; observe patients closely. If effusion persists, consider discontinuation of minoxidil.
  • Rapid blood pressure control: Rapid control of blood pressure in patients with severe hypertension can lead to syncope, cerebrovascular accidents, MI, and/or ischemia of other special sense organs resulting in decrease or loss of vision or hearing. Patients with compromised circulation or cryoglobulinemia may also suffer ischemic episodes of the affected organs.
  • Sinus tachycardia: [US Boxed Warning]: May increase oxygen demand and exacerbate angina pectoris; concomitant use with a beta-blocker (if no contraindication exists) may help reduce the effect. Use with caution in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Disease-related concerns:

  • Acute myocardial infarct (MI): Avoid use for a month after acute MI as use may increase oxygen demand due to reflex tachycardia. Use with extreme caution; ensure patient is receiving a beta blocker prior to initiation.
  • Heart failure: Compared to placebo minoxidil increased the frequency of clinical events, including increased need for diuretics, angina, ventricular arrhythmias, worsening heart failure and death (Franciosa 1984). In a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, minoxidil has been determined to be an agent that may exacerbate underlying myocardial dysfunction (magnitude: moderate) (AHA [Page 2016]).
  • Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with significant renal impairment; renal failure and dialysis patients may require a smaller dose. Monitor closely to prevent exacerbation of renal failure.

Concurrent drug therapy issues:

  • Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.

Special populations:

  • Elderly: Use with caution in the elderly; initiate at the low end of the dosage range and monitor closely.

Other warnings/precautions:

  • Appropriate use: [US Boxed Warning]: Maximum therapeutic doses of a diuretic and two other antihypertensives should be used before this drug is ever added. Should be given with a diuretic to minimize fluid gain and a beta-blocker (if no contraindications) to prevent tachycardia and increased myocardial workload. Patients with malignant hypertension and those already receiving guanethidine should be hospitalized with close medical supervision to ensure blood pressure is reducing and to prevent too rapid of a reduction in blood pressure.

Monitoring Parameters

Blood pressure, standing and sitting/supine; signs/symptoms of pericardial effusion; fluid and electrolyte balance and body weight should be monitored. Any tests that are abnormal at the time of initiation (including, renal function tests, ECG, echocardiogram, chest x-ray) should be repeated initially every 1 to 3 months then every 6 to 12 months once stable.

The 2017 Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (ACC/AHA [Whelton 2017]):

Confirmed hypertension and known CVD or 10-year ASCVD risk ≥10%: Target blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg is recommended

Confirmed hypertension without markers of increased ASCVD risk: Target blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg may be reasonable

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risk Factor

C

Pregnancy Considerations

Adverse events were observed in some animal studies. Neonatal hypertrichosis has been reported following exposure to minoxidil during pregnancy.

Patient Education

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat high blood pressure.
  • It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

Frequently reported side effects of this drug

  • Hair growth
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

Other side effects of this drug: Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Arm pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Dizziness
  • Passing out
  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Severe or persistent heartburn
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Trouble hearing
  • Vision changes
  • Weight gain
  • Edema
  • Signs of a significant reaction like wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Source: Wolters Kluwer Health. Last updated January 15, 2020.