Eight deaths that occurred during Upjohn-sponsored clinical trials of topical 
minoxidil and two deaths in subjects who used extemporaneous formulations of the 
drug are summarized. Of the eight patients in clinical trials, five had 
cardiovascular abnormalities and two had acquired immunodeficiency 
syndrome-related pneumonia. One patient died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 
One of the subjects who was using extemporaneous topical minoxidil had 
hypertension and arteriosclerotic disease and the other died of a myocardial 
infarction. There is little likelihood of significant adverse effects 
attributable to topical minoxidil because of its low systemic absorption. The 
evidence suggests that these deaths were the result of causes other than use of 
the drug.