Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

This article reviews the use of minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as pattern hair loss. Minoxidil is the only topical drug approved for both male and female pattern hair loss in the US. The article summarizes the findings of 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. The article also discusses the sulfotransferase enzymatic assay, which predicts a patient's response to topical minoxidil, and its potential clinical utility. Finally, the article highlights the effect of daily aspirin use on minoxidil response in hair follicles, which is currently being studied.