A Preliminary Study on Topical Cetirizine in the Therapeutic Management of Androgenetic Alopecia

June 2017 in “ Journal of Dermatological Treatment ”

A. M. Rossi, D. Campo, Maria Caterina Fortuna, Valentina Garelli, Guglielmo Pranteda, Gabriella De Vita, Luca Sorriso-Valvo, D. Di Nunno, Marta Carlesimo

cetirizine androgenetic alopecia prostaglandin D2 minoxidil Zyrtec Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Cetirizine →

popular antihistamine showing promise for hair loss as an anti-inflammatory and prostaglandin inhibitor

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This study found that topical cetirizine 1% significantly improved hair density and diameter in patients with androgenetic alopecia, with patients tolerating the treatment well. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

A preliminary study with 20 participants found that topical cetirizine increased hair density and thickness in those with androgenetic alopecia after 6 months of treatment. The study suggests that cetirizine may inhibit the production of prostaglandin D2, which is associated with hair loss. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings. Cetirizine has fewer potential side effects compared to other drugs used for androgenetic alopecia, such as minoxidil, which could lead to better patient compliance with the treatment.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Does Prostaglandin D2 Hold the Cure to Male Pattern Baldness?

57 citations , February 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This review discusses the role of Prostaglandin D2 and its synthase in androgenetic alopecia but reports no new clinical findings, suggesting pathways for future therapeutic development.

research No Genetic Support for a Contribution of Prostaglandins to the Etiology of Androgenetic Alopecia

7 citations , March 2013 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

No genetic link between prostaglandins and hair loss found.

research Prostaglandin D2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

205 citations , March 2012 in “Science Translational Medicine”

PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.

research The Efficacy of Latanoprost in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata of Eyelashes and Eyebrows

20 citations , November 2009 in “European Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that topical latanoprost was not effective in treating alopecia areata in eyebrows and eyelashes.

research Serenoa Repens: Does It Have Any Role in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia?

28 citations , January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery”

This article discusses Serenoa repens for androgenetic alopecia and reports no strong evidence of its effectiveness, emphasizing the need for larger clinical trials.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

research A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Determine the Effectiveness of Botanically Derived Inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

65 citations , April 2002 in “Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine”

This study found that 60% of men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia showed improvement after treatment with botanically derived 5AR inhibitors, suggesting these compounds may be effective, though larger trials are needed.

research Comparison of Finasteride (Proscar) and Serenoa Repens (Permixon) in the Inhibition of 5-Alpha Reductase in Healthy Male Volunteers

73 citations , January 1994 in “European Urology”

This study found that finasteride significantly reduced serum dihydrotestosterone levels, confirming its efficacy as a 5a-reductase inhibitor, while Permixon showed no effect in healthy male volunteers.