Minoxidil for Patchy Alopecia Areata: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
March 2019
in “
Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
”
Studysummary In this study, 5% minoxidil significantly improved outcomes for children and adults with patchy alopecia areata compared to placebo, with moderate quality evidence and no severe adverse events reported, though more research is needed to address remaining uncertainties.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials evaluated the effectiveness and safety of over 80 interventions for patchy alopecia areata (AA), including minoxidil. The study found that topical 5% minoxidil is effective and safe compared to placebo in children and adults with patchy AA, and that there are minimal adverse events in the short term. However, the quality of evidence was low to moderate due to the small sample sizes and high risk of bias in some studies. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
