Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia: A Single-Arm Rate Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

    June 2025 in “ OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) ”
    Chang Liu (35901), Xiaojie Liu (290772), Ting Shi (3955), Yun Wang (32846), Chaoyang Sui (19503196), Wenan Zhang (15383658), Bowen Wang (526637)
    TLDR Oral minoxidil can help with hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
    This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil in treating alopecia, analyzing data from 2,933 patients across 27 studies. The findings suggest that oral minoxidil can be beneficial for individuals with hair loss, with 35% experiencing significant symptom improvement and 47% showing some improvement. However, 27% of participants reported adverse events. The study concludes that while oral minoxidil shows promise, particularly at doses over 1 mg, further research is needed to conclusively determine its efficacy and safety.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Topical Minoxidil is a pain in the ass for diffuse thinners

      in Minoxidil  95 upvotes 2 years ago
      Topical minoxidil being a difficult product to apply, with users considering finasteride, RU58841, and oral minoxidil as alternative treatments for diffuse thinning hair. Other advice includes shaving the head in the first 3 months of using minoxidil and finding ways to apply it without saturating the hair.

      community To my fellow under 20s that are balding

      in Chat  127 upvotes 2 years ago
      The conversation is about young men under 20 experiencing hair loss. They discuss their experiences and treatments used, including finasteride (fin) and minoxidil (min).

      community If you're sitting there wondering, "I'm losing my hair, what do I do?" then read my advice here. I've been fighting the fight for 7 years, with great success. (pictures included)

      in Question  104 upvotes 12 years ago
      Fighting hair loss with "The Big 3" treatments of Propecia, Rogaine and Nizoral shampoo, as well as specific advice on how to use these products. People have shared their long-term success stories and some have discussed the side effects of finasteride. Other suggestions included Lipogaine and Pura D'or Hair Loss Prevention Therapy Shampoo & Conditioner.

      community What else is good. Besides the big 3.

      in Chat  35 upvotes 1 year ago
      Key treatments for hair preservation include minoxidil, finasteride/dutasteride, and microneedling, with additional options like specific shampoos, oils, biotin, zinc, tretinoin, clascoterone, and low-level laser therapy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reducing stress, and addressing nutrient deficiencies can also support hair health.

      community Does anyone here use everything except Fin

      in Minoxidil  23 upvotes 2 years ago
      The conversation is about hair loss treatments, specifically Minoxidil (Min) and Finasteride (Fin). The original poster is considering using Min and other treatments but is hesitant about Fin, while the responses vary, with some advocating for early use of Fin and others warning about potential side effects.

    Similar Research

    6 / 1000+ results