Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review

    January 2023 in “ Skin appendage disorders
    Aditya K. Gupta, Mesbah Talukder, Avner Shemar, Bianca Maria Piraccini, Antonella Tosti
    Image of study
    TLDR Low-dose oral minoxidil may help treat hair loss but is not FDA-approved and can cause side effects like unwanted hair growth and heart issues.
    Low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) has shown potential in treating various hair disorders, including male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), despite not being FDA-approved for this use. The efficacy and side effects of LDOM appear to be dose-dependent, with common side effects being hypertrichosis and cardiovascular symptoms. Several studies were reviewed, with varying numbers of participants, showing that LDOM can be effective in treating different types of alopecia. For example, a study with 30 male patients taking 5 mg minoxidil daily showed a significant increase in total hair count after 12 and 24 weeks. However, a study with 25 male patients taking 0.25 mg/day of minoxidil for 24 weeks showed no substantial enhancement in total hair count, suggesting a higher dose might be necessary. Side effects were minor and included headaches, vertigo, and edema, but no clinical hypotension. Females were found to be more prone to develop hypertrichosis compared to males when taking less than 2.5 mg minoxidil orally per day. Despite its potential, LDOM is not recommended for use in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers due to potential risks. Further studies are needed to establish its safety and efficacy in pediatric patients.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    49 / 49 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Minoxidil hairs not growing to full length

      in Minoxidil  22 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      New hair growth from minoxidil and finasteride is not reaching full length, possibly due to slow growth cycles. Users discuss dosing strategies for oral minoxidil to improve efficacy and minimize side effects, with advice against consuming topical minoxidil orally.

      community Finasteride gains continue well into year 5

      in Chat  118 upvotes 1 year ago
      Finasteride can continue to improve hair loss for up to 10 years, with the best results seen when started early. Combining treatments like minoxidil, dermarolling, or RU58841 may enhance effectiveness.

      community Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Does Not Significantly Affect BP

      in Minoxidil  178 upvotes 6 months ago
      Low-dose oral minoxidil is used for hair loss and does not significantly affect blood pressure but may increase heart rate and cause hypotensive symptoms. Some users experience side effects like palpitations and shortness of breath, while others find it effective; topical minoxidil with tretinoin is also considered.

      community Oral Minoxidil Users In A Nutshell

      in Satire  1210 upvotes 2 years ago
      This conversation is about hair loss treatments, specifically oral minoxidil and finasteride. Users discussed the potential side effects of using these drugs, as well as their experiences with them.

    Related Research

    7 / 7 results