Randomized Non-Inferiority Study of Oral Minoxidil (1.25 mg/day) vs. 5% Topical Minoxidil in Treating Female Pattern Hair Loss

This randomized, non-inferiority trial compared the efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil (1.25 mg/day) and 5% topical minoxidil in treating female pattern hair loss over 24 weeks, involving 44 women aged 18-65. Both treatments significantly increased terminal and total hair density, with oral minoxidil showing a 10.25% increase in terminal hair density and 11.66% in total hair density, while topical minoxidil showed 8.86% and 11.07% increases, respectively. The study found no significant difference between the two treatments, indicating that oral minoxidil is not inferior to topical minoxidil. Both treatments were generally well-tolerated, with only mild adverse events reported.