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Indication & Dosage |
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| Oral |
| SEVERE HYPERTENSION UNRESPONSIVE TO STANDARD THERAPY |
| Adult:
In conjunction with a β-blocker or methyldopa, and a diuretic: Initially, 2.5-5 mg daily; gradually increase at intervals of at least 3 days to 40 or 50 mg daily depending on response. Max: 100 mg daily. Give daily dose in 1-2 divided doses. For a more rapid control of BP: Dose changes may be made every 6 hr with careful monitoring. Elderly: In conjunction with a β-blocker or methyldopa, and a diuretic: Initially, 2.5 mg daily; increase gradually. |
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| Oral |
| SEVERE HYPERTENSION UNRESPONSIVE TO STANDARD THERAPY |
| Child:
In conjunction with a β-blocker or methyldopa, and a diuretic: <12 yr: Initially, 100-200 mcg/kg daily; increase in increments of 100-200 mcg/kg at intervals of at least 3 days, until BP is controlled. Max: 1 mg/kg or 50 mg daily. >12 yr: Initially, 2.5-5 mg daily; gradually increase at intervals of at least 3 days to 40 or 50 mg daily depending on response. Max: 100 mg daily. Give daily dose in 1-2 divided doses. For a more rapid control of BP: Dose changes may be made every 6 hr with careful monitoring. |
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| Topical/Cutaneous |
| MALE PATTERN BALDNESS |
| Adult:
Apply 1 ml of a 2% or 5% solution to the scalp bid. 4 mth of treatment may be necessary. |
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| Administration |
May be taken with or without food. |
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| Precautions |
Significant renal dysfunction; coronary artery disease; recent MI; pulmonary hypertension; angina pectoris; chronic CHF; porphyria. Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance, body wt. Restrict topical application to the scalp. Pregnancy. |
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Potentially Life-threatening
Adverse Drug Reactions |
Reflex tachycardia, fluid retention (accompanied by wt gain, oedema, and sometimes deterioration of existing heart failure and changes in the ECG), hypertrichosis. Headache, nausea, gynaecomastia and breast tenderness, polymenorrhoea, skin rash, thrombocytopenia. Topical: Systemic effects may also occur; contact dermatitis, pruritus, local burning, flushing; changes in hair colour or texture. |
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| Adverse Drug Reactions |
Ischaemic heart disease; pericardial effusion progressing to tamponade and death; angina pectoris may be aggravated or uncovered; pulmonary hypertension. Rebound hypertension (in patients with severe hypertension). Stevens-Johnson syndrome. |
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| Interactions |
Antihypertensive effect may be enhanced by other hypotensive drugs. Topical: Absorption may be increased with corticosteroids, retinoids, occlusive ointment bases. |
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