Oral Minoxidil Treatment for Hair Loss: A Review of Efficacy and Safety

July 2020 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Michael Randolph, Antonella Tosti

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TLDR Oral minoxidil promotes hair growth but may cause side effects; needs monitoring.

This document is a compilation of reviews and studies on the efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil for hair loss treatment. The studies suggest that oral minoxidil can be effective in promoting hair growth, but it also has potential side effects such as fluid retention, weight gain, and cardiovascular issues. The recommended dosage ranges from 0.2mg to 5mg daily, and response to treatment should be monitored within 6 months. The studies also suggest that oral minoxidil can be a viable option for patients who struggle with topical treatments, but it requires careful patient monitoring and medical guidance.

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Research cited in this study

31 / 31 results

research Efficacy and Safety of Very-Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil 1.25 mg in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

19 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil improves hair growth in male hair loss.

research Treatment of Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss with Sublingual Minoxidil: A Retrospective Case-Series of 64 Patients

16 citations , May 2020 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Sublingual minoxidil effectively treats hair loss with mild side effects.

research How Safe Is Prescribing Oral Minoxidil in Patients Allergic to Topical Minoxidil?

8 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil is a reasonably safe alternative for patients allergic to the topical form.

research Oral Minoxidil Improves Background Hair Thickness in Lichen Planopilaris

15 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil can increase or maintain hair thickness in most people with lichen planopilaris, with mild side effects.

research Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Unicenter Descriptive Study of 148 Women

12 citations , January 2020 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively treats female hair loss with good safety.

research Very-Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Study with Quantitative Trichoscopic Documentation

24 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil improved or stabilized hair loss in some patients, but higher doses may be needed for significant effects.

research Combination Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil Treatment for Severe Alopecia Areata

23 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil together effectively regrow hair in severe alopecia areata patients.

research Minoxidil 1 mg Oral Versus Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution for the Treatment of Female-Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial

53 citations , August 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil 5% both effectively improve female-pattern hair loss with safe side effects.

Oral Minoxidil Bio-Activation by Hair Follicle Outer Root Sheath Cell Sulfotransferase Enzymes Predicts Clinical Efficacy in Female Pattern Hair Loss

research Oral Minoxidil Bio-Activation by Hair Follicle Outer Root Sheath Cell Sulfotransferase Enzymes Predicts Clinical Efficacy in Female Pattern Hair Loss

9 citations , August 2019 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Minoxidil activation by hair enzymes predicts treatment success for female hair loss.

research Effectiveness and Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia

52 citations , May 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil effectively improves male hair loss with mild side effects.

research Case Series of Oral Minoxidil for Androgenetic and Traction Alopecia: Tolerability and the Five C’s of Oral Therapy

36 citations , September 2018 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Oral minoxidil helps hair growth, is cost-effective, and mostly well-tolerated.

research Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome: Treatment with Systemic Minoxidil Characterized by Marked Hair Color Change

12 citations , March 2018 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil treatment can reduce hair shedding, increase hair volume, and even change hair color in patients with loose anagen hair syndrome.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study Investigating Combination Therapy with Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil and Spironolactone

80 citations , December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone combo effectively reduces hair loss and improves hair density in women.

research Treatment of Chronic Telogen Effluvium with Oral Minoxidil: A Retrospective Study

40 citations , September 2017 in “F1000Research”

Oral minoxidil effectively reduces hair shedding in women with CTE, with no major side effects.

research Treatment of Monilethrix with Oral Minoxidil

37 citations , May 2016 in “JAAD case reports”

Oral minoxidil shows promise in treating monilethrix-related hair loss.

research Treatment of Permanent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia with Low Dose Oral Minoxidil

36 citations , May 2015 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

Low dose oral minoxidil helps regrow hair in permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

research Novel Enzymatic Assay Predicts Minoxidil Response in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

27 citations , November 2013 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

New test predicts if hair loss treatment will work.

research Minoxidil: An Underused Vasodilator for Resistant or Severe Hypertension

74 citations , May 2004 in “Journal of Clinical Hypertension”

Minoxidil effectively treats severe hypertension, but watch for side effects.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.

research Hypertrichosis in Females Applying Minoxidil Topical Solution and in Normal Controls

63 citations , May 2003 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Minoxidil use increases facial hair growth in females, more in older users.

research Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Topical Minoxidil Solution: Etiology and Treatment

123 citations , February 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil can cause skin allergy; use alternative solvents or treatments if allergic.

Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

115 citations , November 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases hair weight and count temporarily in men with hair loss.

research Minoxidil Sulfate Is the Active Metabolite That Stimulates Hair Follicles

166 citations , November 1990 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil sulfate stimulates hair growth.

research Histologic Response to Topically Applied Minoxidil in Male-Pattern Alopecia

38 citations , October 1988 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help grow hair and make hair follicles bigger, but it can also cause side effects.

research Dose-Response Study of Topical Minoxidil in Male Pattern Baldness

58 citations , July 1986 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Lowest effective minoxidil concentration is 1%, but 2% works better for male pattern baldness.

research Contact Dermatitis to Minoxidil

34 citations , September 1985 in “Contact Dermatitis”

Minoxidil can cause skin irritation like eczema and rash in some users.

research Topical Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth

80 citations , September 1984 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil helps hair regrowth in androgenic alopecia.

Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

137 citations , May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.

research Topical Minoxidil in Alopecia Areata

56 citations , August 1981 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil helps hair regrowth in alopecia areata safely.

research Reversal of Baldness in Patient Receiving Minoxidil for Hypertension

95 citations , December 1980 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Minoxidil helped bald patient regrow hair.

research Treatment of Severe Hypertension with Minoxidil: Advantages and Limitations

37 citations , April 1979 in “The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology”

Minoxidil effectively controls blood pressure but side effects may limit its use.

Related Research

9 / 9 results

research A Survey of Patient Attitudes Towards Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Hair Loss

1 citations , October 2022 in “PubMed”

Patients generally have positive attitudes towards using topical Minoxidil for hair loss treatment.

research Comprehensive Review of Oral Minoxidil in Alopecia

September 2022 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil effectively treats different types of hair loss with fewer side effects.

research Sisaipho Alopecia Areata Treated With Tofacitinib and Oral Minoxidil

1 citations , August 2022 in “JAAD case reports”

Tofacitinib and oral minoxidil may help treat Sisaipho alopecia areata.

research Efficacy of Systemic Minoxidil and Tofacitinib Combination in Treatment-Resistant Alopecia Universalis

1 citations , October 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Using minoxidil and tofacitinib together can effectively treat severe hair loss.

research The Use of Trichoscopy to Assess the Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil 2% Solution in Patients with Female Pattern Hair Loss

April 2019 in “Zagazig university medical journal”

The Efficacy of Topical Minoxidil for Non-Scarring Alopecia: A Systematic Review

research Alopecia Areata: Evidence-Based Treatments

71 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery”

Alopecia areata can cause unpredictable hair loss, and treatments like corticosteroids and minoxidil may help but have varying side effects.