Oral Drug As Effective As Topical Cream For Male Pattern Baldness

A double-blind, randomized study involving 68 men in Brazil aged 18 to 55 years found that oral minoxidil is as effective as topical minoxidil 5% for treating androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness). There was no difference in hair density between the two groups after treatment. Adverse effects were mild, with the oral group experiencing more cases of excessive body hair growth and headaches, while the topical group had more instances of itching and eczema. These findings suggest that low-dose oral minoxidil is a well-tolerated alternative for patients who prefer oral therapy or cannot tolerate topical treatment.