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Journal of the American Academy of... Mar 2021Although topical minoxidil is an effective treatment option for hair loss, many patients are poorly compliant because of the necessity to apply the medication twice a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Although topical minoxidil is an effective treatment option for hair loss, many patients are poorly compliant because of the necessity to apply the medication twice a day, undesirable hair texture, and scalp irritation.
OBJECTIVE
In recent years, oral minoxidil at low dose has been proposed as a safe alternative. This study reviewed articles in which oral minoxidil was used to treat hair loss to determine its efficacy and safety as an alternative to topical minoxidil.
METHODS
PubMed searches were performed to identify articles discussing oral minoxidil as the primary form of treatment for hair loss published up to April 2020.
RESULTS
A total of 17 studies with 634 patients were found discussing the use of oral minoxidil as the primary treatment modality for hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia was the most studied condition, but other conditions included telogen effluvium, lichen planopilaris, loose anagen hair syndrome, monilethrix, alopecia areata, and permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
LIMITATIONS
Larger randomized studies comparing the efficacy/safety of different doses with standardized objective measurements will be needed to clarify the best treatment protocol.
CONCLUSION
Oral minoxidil was found to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment alternative for healthy patients having difficulty with topical formulations.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Alopecia; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Medication Adherence; Minoxidil; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32622136
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2020.06.1009 -
Drug Design, Development and Therapy 2019Minoxidil was first introduced as an antihypertensive medication and the discovery of its common adverse event, hypertrichosis, led to the development of a topical... (Review)
Review
Minoxidil was first introduced as an antihypertensive medication and the discovery of its common adverse event, hypertrichosis, led to the development of a topical formulation for promoting hair growth. To date, topical minoxidil is the mainstay treatment for androgenetic alopecia and is used as an off-label treatment for other hair loss conditions. Despite its widespread application, the exact mechanism of action of minoxidil is still not fully understood. In this article, we aim to review and update current information on the pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical efficacy, and adverse events of topical minoxidil.
Topics: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Hair; Humans; Hypertrichosis; Minoxidil; Molecular Structure; Sulfotransferases
PubMed: 31496654
DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S214907 -
Dermatologic Therapy Sep 2018The National Institutes of Health (US NIH, 2018) estimates that in the US approximately 50 million men and 30 million women suffer from AGA (also known as pattern hair... (Review)
Review
The National Institutes of Health (US NIH, 2018) estimates that in the US approximately 50 million men and 30 million women suffer from AGA (also known as pattern hair loss). Minoxidil is the only topical drug for the treatment of both female and male pattern hair loss. In the US, minoxidil is approved over-the-counter (OTC) at a maximum concentration of 5%. In this review, we summarize the findings of the pivotal studies used in support of the drug's approval as well as recent discoveries and novel developments in the use of minoxidil for the treatment of AGA.
Topics: Alopecia; Humans; Minoxidil; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 30155952
DOI: 10.1111/dth.12686 -
Skin Therapy Letter 2014Minoxidil is a Health Canada and US FDA-approved medication for hair loss in men and women. While 5% minoxidil foam has been approved for men since 2006, Health Canada... (Review)
Review
Minoxidil is a Health Canada and US FDA-approved medication for hair loss in men and women. While 5% minoxidil foam has been approved for men since 2006, Health Canada and the FDA only approved 5% minoxidil foam for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in 2014. Recent Phase III clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of once daily 5% minoxidil foam for treatment of FPHL, where a significant change from baseline in the target area hair count was observed compared to placebo. Similar changes in hair count for 5% foam and twice daily 2% minoxidil solution established noninferiority of the 5% foam formulation. Five percent minoxidil foam provides an additional option for women with FPHL and will soon be available in Canada.
Topics: Alopecia; Canada; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Minoxidil; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 25807073
DOI: No ID Found -
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Apr 2019Topical minoxidil is a well-known and often-utilized drug in dermatological practice for the treatment of alopecia. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug... (Review)
Review
Topical minoxidil is a well-known and often-utilized drug in dermatological practice for the treatment of alopecia. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in 1988. Since its approval, minoxidil has been used off-label for the treatment of many other types of alopecia, with minimal formal evidence of efficacy. Conditions for which the use of topical minoxidil has been reported include telogen effluvium, alopecia areata (AA), scarring alopecia, eyebrow hypotrichosis, monilethrix, and chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). The evidence for the use of minoxidil in each condition is derived from a variety of studies, including clinical trials, case series, and case reports. A comprehensive review of the literature indicates that while minoxidil is routinely used in the management of many alopecic conditions, there is mixed evidence for its efficacy. For certain conditions, including AA and most scarring alopecias, the evidence seems to be inconclusive. For others, such as eyebrow hypotrichosis, monilethrix, early traction alopecia, and CIA, there is more support for the efficacy of minoxidil. Although the favorable safety profile of minoxidil is established in adults, its use in the treatment of pediatric alopecia may require heightened monitoring and patient education.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Adult; Alopecia; Animals; Humans; Minoxidil; Off-Label Use; Treatment Outcome; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 30604379
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-018-0409-y -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jan 2020
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alopecia; Dermatologic Agents; Dermoscopy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Minoxidil; Young Adult
PubMed: 31473295
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.060 -
Recent Patents on Inflammation &... May 2012Minoxidil, a vasodilator medication known for its ability to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth, was first introduced, exclusively as an oral drug, to... (Review)
Review
Minoxidil, a vasodilator medication known for its ability to slow or stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth, was first introduced, exclusively as an oral drug, to treat high blood pressure. It was however discovered to have the important side-effect of increasing growth or darkening of fine body hairs; this led to the development of a topical formulation as a 2% concentration solution for the treatment of female androgenic alopecia or 5% for treating male androgenic alopecia. Measurable changes disappear within months after discontinuation of treatment. The mechanism by which it promotes hair growth is not fully understood. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener, causing hyperpolarization of cell membranes and it is also a vasodilator, it is speculated that, by widening blood vessels and opening potassium channels, it allows more oxygen, blood and nutrients to the follicle. This can also cause follicles in the telogen phase to shed, usually soon to be replaced by new, thicker hairs in a new anagen phase. It needs to be applied regularly, once or twice daily, for hair gained to be maintained, and side effects are common. The most common adverse reactions of the topical formulation are limited to irritant and allergic contact dermatitis on the scalp. There have been cases of allergic reactions to the nonactive ingredient propylene glycol, which is found in some topical solution especially if they are galenic. Increased hair loss which can occur during Minoxidil use, is due to the synchronization of the hair cycle that the treatment induces. In this review, we described its mechanism of action, use in dermatology and some patents related to alternative treatment of allergic reactions due to its use.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Alopecia; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Female; Hair; Humans; Male; Minoxidil; Patents as Topic; Potassium Channels; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 22409453
DOI: 10.2174/187221312800166859 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Sep 2002Topical minoxidil solution 2% stimulates new hair growth and helps stop the loss of hair in individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Results can be variable, and... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Topical minoxidil solution 2% stimulates new hair growth and helps stop the loss of hair in individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Results can be variable, and historical experience suggests that higher concentrations of topical minoxidil may enhance efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this 48-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial was to compare 5% topical minoxidil with 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of men with AGA.
METHODS
A total of 393 men (18-49 years old) with AGA applied 5% topical minoxidil solution (n = 157), 2% topical minoxidil solution (n = 158), or placebo (vehicle for 5% solution; n = 78) twice daily. Efficacy was evaluated by scalp target area hair counts and patient and investigator assessments of change in scalp coverage and benefit of treatment.
RESULTS
After 48 weeks of therapy, 5% topical minoxidil was significantly superior to 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in terms of change from baseline in nonvellus hair count, patient rating of scalp coverage and treatment benefit, and investigator rating of scalp coverage. Hair count data indicate that response to treatment occurred earlier with 5% compared with 2% topical minoxidil. Additionally, data from a patient questionnaire on quality of life, global benefit, hair growth, and hair styling demonstrated that 5% topical minoxidil helped improve patients' psychosocial perceptions of hair loss. An increased occurrence of pruritus and local irritation was observed with 5% topical minoxidil compared with 2% topical minoxidil.
CONCLUSION
In men with AGA, 5% topical minoxidil was clearly superior to 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in increasing hair regrowth, and the magnitude of its effect was marked (45% more hair regrowth than 2% topical minoxidil at week 48). Men who used 5% topical minoxidil also had an earlier response to treatment than those who used 2% topical minoxidil. Psychosocial perceptions of hair loss in men with AGA were also improved. Topical minoxidil (5% and 2%) was well tolerated by the men in this trial without evidence of systemic effects.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Alopecia; Double-Blind Method; Drug Tolerance; Humans; Middle Aged; Minoxidil; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 12196747
DOI: 10.1067/mjd.2002.124088 -
Dermatologic Clinics Jul 1987Topical minoxidil has shown some promise for the treatment of male-pattern alopecia and alopecia areata. Clinical trials suggest that careful patient selection and... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Review
Topical minoxidil has shown some promise for the treatment of male-pattern alopecia and alopecia areata. Clinical trials suggest that careful patient selection and appropriate drug formulation are both important factors to maximize efficacy. Side effects attributable to topical minoxidil appear to consist almost entirely of cutaneous reactions in patients who have been studied thus far, i.e., patients without hypertension or cardiovascular disease. The mechanism of minoxidil-induced hair regrowth is not fully understood, but it may involve a synergistic effect of minoxidil on a variety of cell types.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alopecia Areata; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Child; Clinical Trials as Topic; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Macaca; Male; Middle Aged; Minoxidil
PubMed: 3301118
DOI: No ID Found -
Southern Medical Journal Jan 1980Minoxidil (U-10,858) has been shown in several controlled and blind studies and numerous uncontrolled studies to be a potent peripheral vasodilator for use in the... (Review)
Review
Minoxidil (U-10,858) has been shown in several controlled and blind studies and numerous uncontrolled studies to be a potent peripheral vasodilator for use in the management of sustained, severe, accelerating or malignant hypertension and moderate hypertension inadequately controlled by conventional therapy. Some effect may be seen four hours after oral administration with the peak effect being seen between four and 18 hours. The drug has a plasma disappearance half-life of 4.2 hours despite a duration of action of approximately 24 hours, suggestive of extravascular accumulation. Reported dosages range from 2 mg to 80 mg daily, most patients requiring approximately 20 mg daily. Rapid loading schedules have been studied but are not yet widely used. Frequent adverse effects include sodium retention, tachycardia, EKG changes, and hypertrichosis. Pericardial effusion, altered renal function, diabetes mellitus, and changes in plasma renin, urinary norepinephrine, and aldosterone levels have been reported. Other minor problems have been reported infrequently.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hypertension; Kinetics; Minoxidil; Pyrimidines
PubMed: 6985752
DOI: 10.1097/00007611-198001000-00021