Systemic Steroids With or Without 2% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

The study investigated the effects of a 6-week taper of prednisone followed by either 2% topical minoxidil or a vehicle in 32 patients with alopecia areata. Results showed that 47% of patients experienced more than 25% hair regrowth after prednisone treatment, with side effects including weight gain and mood changes. At 3 months, minoxidil helped maintain or increase hair growth in six of seven patients who initially responded to prednisone, compared to one of six in the vehicle group. In an open trial with 48 patients, 30% showed objective hair growth with prednisone, and more than 50% maintained this growth at 6 months with minoxidil. The study concluded that prednisone could induce significant hair regrowth, and minoxidil helped limit poststeroid hair loss.