Cardiovascular: minoxidil: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Cardiovascular: minoxidil

Sample item

A man with resistant hypertension on minoxidil complains of increased facial hair growth. Why does this occur?

AMinoxidil inhibits 5-alpha reductaseBMinoxidil raises thyroid hormoneCMinoxidil blocks androgen receptorsDMinoxidil sulfate opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels, with hypertrichosis as an adverse effect

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Minoxidil sulfate opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels, with hypertrichosis as an adverse effect

Minoxidil is a prodrug converted to minoxidil sulfate, which opens K-ATP channels in vascular smooth muscle, causing arteriolar dilation. Reflex tachycardia and fluid retention require a beta blocker and a diuretic, and hypertrichosis explains its topical use in alopecia.

Option by option

A. Minoxidil inhibits 5-alpha reductase
5-Alpha reductase inhibition describes finasteride.
B. Minoxidil raises thyroid hormone
Thyroid hormone is not involved.
C. Minoxidil blocks androgen receptors
It does not block androgen receptors.
D. Minoxidil sulfate opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels, with hypertrichosis as an adverse effect (correct)
Correct. K-channel opening with hypertrichosis is characteristic.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Minoxidil sulfate opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels, with hypertrichosis as an adverse effect. Minoxidil is a prodrug converted to minoxidil sulfate, which opens K-ATP channels in vascular smooth muscle, causing arteriolar dilation.

Why is "Minoxidil inhibits 5-alpha reductase" not the answer?

5-Alpha reductase inhibition describes finasteride.

Why is "Minoxidil raises thyroid hormone" not the answer?

Thyroid hormone is not involved.

Why is "Minoxidil blocks androgen receptors" not the answer?

It does not block androgen receptors.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiovascular: minoxidil in Pharmacology. Reflex tachycardia and fluid retention require a beta blocker and a diuretic, and hypertrichosis explains its topical use in alopecia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiovascular: minoxidil?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.