Compliance to Topical Minoxidil and Reasons for Discontinuation Among Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

This study on 400 patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) found a high discontinuation rate of 86.3% for topical minoxidil (TM), primarily due to side effects reported by 46.5% of patients, including scalp itching, facial hair, and increased hair loss. Longer treatment duration (over 1 year) and perceived improvement significantly reduced the likelihood of discontinuation. The study emphasizes the need for patient education on TM's side effects and the importance of using it for at least 12 months to evaluate its efficacy.