Abstract
The powerful peripheral vasodilator minoxidil, in a dose of 5–40 mg daily, controlled the previously refractory blood pressure in 45 out of 47 patients for periods up to fifty-seven months. The majority of the previous polypharmacy was withdrawn, leaving most of the patients taking a beta-blocking drug, minoxidil and a diuretic. Severe sodium retention leading to congestive cardiac failure necessitated the withdrawal of the drug in 3 patients. In one patient the drug was discontinued because of postural hypotension, and it was withdrawn in 2 female patients because of hirsutism. Five patients were removed from the trial as they were started on chronic maintenance haemodialysis or received a renal transplant. Significant glucose intolerance developed in one patient, requiring the addition of an oral hypoglycaemic agent. The 4 deaths that occurred were not directly related to treatment. Following the oral administration of 5 mg minoxidil, an obvious reduction in both the systolic and diastolic pressure was seen in two hours.
Full text
PDFSelected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- DuCharme D. W., Freyburger W. A., Graham B. E., Carlson R. G. Pharmacologic properties of minoxidil: a new hypotensive agent. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1973 Mar;184(3):662–670. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gottlieb T. B., Thomas R. C., Chidsey C. A. Pharmacokinetic studies of minoxidil. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1972 May-Jun;13(3):436–441. doi: 10.1002/cpt1972133436. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]