Oral Minoxidil: A Possible New Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AA) is a common form of hair loss that affects both men and women. While oral finasteride and topical minoxidil are the most recognized therapies, their use is limited due to side effects and lack of efficacy. Recent studies have shown that oral minoxidil may be a possible new therapy for AA, with clinical improvement noted in 90.2% of male patients and increased hair growth seen in 28% of female patients. However, hypertrichosis, lower limb edema, and shedding were noted as adverse effects in some patients. Oral minoxidil may be considered in male AA patients in whom standard treatment options failed or were contraindicated, and lower dosages may be considered in female patients. Further randomized clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of oral minoxidil alone or in combination with other therapies to treat AA.