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Pediatric Minoxidil Exposures Reported to Texas Poison Centers
1From the Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries Section, Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX.
Insights
Pediatric minoxidil exposures are rare and typically unintentional ingestions in toddlers. Most cases have minor outcomes and can be managed at home, contrary to concerns about serious adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Pharmacovigilance
- Public Health
Background:
- Minoxidil, a potent vasodilator, is used for hypertension and hair loss.
- Concerns exist regarding potential serious adverse effects from pediatric minoxidil ingestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric minoxidil exposures.
- To assess the severity and management of minoxidil ingestions in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric minoxidil exposure cases (patients ≤5 years).
- Data collected from Texas poison centers between 2000 and 2014.
- Demographic, clinical factors, and outcomes were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 125 cases reported; 58% male, 78% aged 1-2 years.
- 92% were ingestions, 98% unintentional, 94% at home.
- 88% had non-serious outcomes; vomiting was the most common adverse effect.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric minoxidil exposures are infrequent.
- Most exposures are unintentional ingestions in young children with minor outcomes.
- Findings suggest most pediatric minoxidil exposures do not lead to serious outcomes and are manageable at home.
Objectives:
It has been suggested that ingestion of even small amounts of minoxidil by young children may result in serious adverse effects. The intent of this study was to describe pediatric minoxidil exposures reported to a statewide poison center system.
Methods:
Cases were minoxidil exposures among patients 5 years or younger reported to Texas poison centers during 2000 to 2014. The distribution by various demographic and clinical factors was determined.
Results:
Of 125 total cases, 58% were male and 78% aged 1 to 2 years. Ingestion alone was reported in 92% of the exposures. Ninety-eight percent of the exposures were unintentional, and 94% occurred at the patient's own residence. Sixty-two percent of the patients were managed on site. The outcome was not serious (no effect, minor effect, not followed [nontoxic], not followed [minimal effects]) in 88% of the exposures. The most common adverse effect was vomiting, reported in 8% of the exposures. The most common treatments were dilution/irrigation/wash (53%), activated charcoal (18%), food/snack (17%), and intravenous fluids (8%).
Conclusions:
Few pediatric minoxidil exposures were reported to Texas poison centers. Of these exposures, most involved ingestion, were unintentional, and involved patients who were male and aged 1 to 2 years. Although it has been suggested that pediatric minoxidil ingestions might result in serious adverse effects, this study suggests that most pediatric minoxidil exposures reported to poison centers are not likely to have serious outcomes and may be managed at home.
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