Minoxidil
Minoxidil Information

About Minoxidil

Chemically Minoxidil is identified as 2, 4-diamino-6-piperidinopyrimidine 3-oxide. Oral it is an antihypertensive agent while topical Minoxidil is used for alopecia. Due to its potency and adverse reactions, oral Minoxidil is used mainly for patients with severe, drug-resistant forms of hypertension. Tolerance to prolonged therapy with oral it does not appear to be a problem. Although the oral dosage form was originally approved in October 1979 for use in hypertension, it was first discovered in 1965. Subsequently, in August 1988, a topical formulation was approved for the treatment of alopecia. It has a direct vasodilatory effect on arterial smooth muscle, causing a reduction in peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

Indications

Minoxidil is primarily indicated in conditions like Alopecia, Duodenal ulceration associated with H. Pylori, Hypertension.

Contraindication

Minoxidil is contraindicated in conditions like Phaeochromocytoma.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Minoxidil, which give rise to further complications include Tachycardia, Stevens johnson syndrome, Stevens johnson syndrome, Fluid retension, Gynacomastia, Oedema, Ascites, Tachycardia.Minoxidil produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Pericardial effusion. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Minoxidil therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Minoxidil include Tachycardia.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Minoxidil are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Nausea, Palpitation, Flushing, Breast tenderness, Hypertrichosis.

Warnings

Minoxidil should not be used in patients, who have a myocardial infraction with in the proceeding month Patients with renal (kidney) failure & dialysis may require smaller dose.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.