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The unsuitability of minoxidil for the treatment of moderate hypertension
Author(s) -
Westwood Barbara E.,
Wilson Maxim,
Heath William C.,
Hammond Jeremy J.,
Mashford Maurice L.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1986.tb113776.x
Subject(s) - minoxidil , medicine , diuretic , blood pressure , prazosin , hypertrichosis , randomized controlled trial , adverse effect , anesthesia , pharmacology , antagonist , receptor
Minoxidil is very effective in the treatment of severe or resistant hypertension but fluid retention and hypertrichosis have been side‐effects. This study examines the suggestion that the use of small doses of minoxidil may be effective in the treatment of moderate hypertension without causing these adverse effects. Sixteen patients with an elevated blood pressure level that was suboptimally controlled by combination therapy with diuretic and β ‐ adrenoreceptor blocking agents entered a randomized open trial to compare the efficacy and acceptability of minoxidil and prazosin as supplementary therapy to bendrofluazide and metoprolol. Blood pressure control was similar in the two groups. However, relatively large doses of minoxidil were required and over‐all tolerance to the drug was poor; five of eight patients who were receiving minoxidil experienced marked fluid retention that necessitated a change in diuretic agent to substantial doses of frusemide. Low doses of minoxidil do not appear to be effective in the treatment of moderate hyertension, and the drug cannot be recommended for this indication.