Clinical use of minoxidil (Loniten).
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 The majority of the previous polypharmacy was withdrawn, leaving most of the patients taking a beta-blocking drug, minoxidil and a diuretic.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 In one patient the drug was discontinued because of postural hypotension, and it was withdrawn in 2 female patients because of hirsutism.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.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D011743:Pyrimidines; D008914:Minoxidil; D012964:Sodium