Topical Metformin Compared With Clobetasol Propionate for Alopecia Areata: Clinical Outcomes From a Comparative Study

January 2026 in “ PubMed Central ”

Nashwa Mohammed Saged, Zakaria Mahran Obaid, Ibrahim Fouda

topical metformin clobetasol propionate alopecia areata metformin clobetasol

TLDR Clobetasol is more effective than metformin for treating localized alopecia areata.

A recent study compared the effectiveness of topical metformin 30% and clobetasol propionate 0.05% in treating alopecia areata. The results showed that while both treatments were well-tolerated, clobetasol was more effective than metformin in treating localized alopecia areata. Despite the lack of difference in overall effects, clobetasol remains the more effective option for localized cases.

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