Minoxidil dosage

Beta-biockers/Other sympathetic nervous system suppressants - When beginning therapy, the -blocker dosage should be equal to 80 to 160 mg/day propranolol in divided doses. If -blockers are contraindicated, use methyidopa 250 to 750 mg twice daily give for at least 24 hours before starting minoxidil due to delay in onset. Clonidine may also be used to prevent tachycardia induced by minoxidil usual dosage is 0.1 to 0.2 mg twice daily. 

Lactation Minoxidil is excreted in breast milk do not nurse while taking minoxidil. Children Use in children is limited, particularly in infants. The recommendations under Administration and Dosage are only a rough guide careful titration is essential. 

Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is both a venous and an arterial vasodilator. An important part of its vasodilator action is caused by the release of nitric oxide (NO), similarly as for the organic nitrates. SNP can only be administered via the intravenous route. It is a rapidly and short acting vasodilator. It has been used in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies and in the management of myocardial ischaemia. In spite of its vasodilator action it hardly influences heart rate, in contrast to hydralazine and minoxidil. The dosage of SNP should not be higher than 3 pg/kg/min within 48 h, in order to avoid the rise of cyanide ions and thiocyanate in the blood. 

Ingestion is the most common route of both accidental and intentional exposures to minoxidil. Toxicity may also occur via dermal exposure. Minoxidil is available in an oral dosage form and in a 2% or 5% topical formulation. 

A. Hydralazine and Minoxidil These older vasodilators have more effect on arterioles than on veins. They are orally active and suitable for chronic therapy. Hydralazine apparently acts through the release of nitric oxide. However, it is rarely used at high dosage because of its toxicity therefore, its efficacy is limited, fts toxicities include compensatory responses (tachycardia, salt and water retention Table 11-2) and drug-induced lupus erythematosus, which is reversible upon stopping the drug. However, this effect is uncommon at dosages below 200 mg/d. 

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