Efficacy and Safety of Oral Versus Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

This literature review compares the tolerability, efficacy, and safety of oral versus topical minoxidil for treating Androgenetic Alopecia (AA). Topical minoxidil is commonly prescribed due to its vasodilatory effects, which promote hair growth, but it has drawbacks such as consistency issues, constant application needs, and potential hair texture changes. Oral minoxidil offers benefits for patients with low tolerance to topical forms, being more comfortable, better tolerated, and having high bioavailability with fewer skin reactions. However, it can cause side effects like hypotension and vertigo. The study concludes that while oral minoxidil has advantages over topical forms, treatment should be individualized based on patient tolerability, and further research is needed on the safety profile of oral use.