Tolerance and Safety Profile of Sublingual Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

A retrospective study conducted at Instituto Medico Ricart Centers in Spain assessed the safety profile of sublingual minoxidil in 87 patients with androgenic alopecia (73 women and 14 men). The study found that sublingual minoxidil, administered via a spray with doses of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg, had a lower incidence of adverse effects compared to previous studies using low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM). The adverse effects were actively monitored through phone questionnaires, revealing an earlier onset of hypertrichosis and a later onset of dizziness and headache. Despite the lower doses, the efficacy was maintained, particularly among women. The study suggests that sublingual minoxidil could be a safe and easy alternative to LDOM, though further comparative studies are needed. Limitations include the study's retrospective nature, short follow-up period, and small sample size of men.