Systemic Minoxidil Accidental Exposure in a Paediatric Population: A Case Series Study of Cutaneous and Systemic Side Effects

Abstract

Oral minoxidil is an approved treatment for high blood pressure which is also used as an off-label drug for alopecia. Knowledge about the effects of systemic minoxidil in the paediatric population is limited. A retrospective case series study of paediatric patients with history of systemic minoxidil intake due to contaminated sets of omeprazole was performed to describe side effects of high dose oral minoxidil intake in children. Twenty patients aged between 2 months and 13 years joined the study. They had received high doses of oral minoxidil (mean dose 0.90 mg/kg/day) during a mean time of 38.3 days. Hypertrichosis appeared in 65%, with a mean latency time of 24.31 days. Treatment time was associated with the appearance of hypertrichosis (p < 0.05). Most common initial zone of hypertrichosis was the face. Systemic effects developed in 15%, with no cases of severe disorders. The present study shows a novel insight into the side effects of high doses of oral minoxidil in children.