5% Minoxidil Topical Foam in Women: Menopause and Other Covariates

The document presents a post hoc analysis of phase III clinical trials examining the efficacy of 5% minoxidil topical foam (MTF) for treating female pattern hair loss (FPHL). The study involved 369 women and assessed the impact of various patient characteristics, including age, hair loss severity, race, and menopausal status, on hair count and density changes after 24 weeks of treatment. The results indicated that women over 18 years of age experienced positive hair regrowth across all hair loss severities after 12 or 24 weeks of treatment with 5% MTF. Notably, postmenopausal women showed a larger increase in nonvellus hair count compared to premenopausal women, with the foam being more effective than the 2% minoxidil solution (MTS). No significant differences in hair regrowth were observed among different races. Approximately one-fifth of the women using 5% MTF achieved up to 25% more hair in 12 weeks, which is considered clinically meaningful. The study concluded that 5% MTF is an effective and safe treatment for FPHL in women, regardless of race or hair loss severity, with postmenopausal women showing greater improvement. The study was supported by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.