Low dose Oral Minoxidil Safe for Non-scarring Alopecia, finds study

The researchers studied 10 articles were included for review. A total of 19,218 patients were obtained of which 215 women and 19,003 men. Oral minoxidil dose ranged from 0.25 to 5 mg daily to twice daily.

From the study, the researcher found that:

• Strongest evidence existed for androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata (AA), with 61–100% and 18–82.4% of patients demonstrating objective clinical improvement.

• Successful treatment of female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, monilethrix, and permanent chemotherapy‐induced alopecia was also reported

• The most common adverse effects of oral minoxidil included hypertrichosis and postural hypotension.

• Blood pressure effects were minimal at the 0.25–5 mg daily to twice-daily regimens used to treat alopecia.

By this research, the authors concluded that Oral minoxidil is a safe and successful treatment of androgenic alopecia and AA. In addition to this, the researchers also added that therapeutic benefits, practical advantages over topical minoxidil stem from improved patient compliance, comfort, cost and convenience. 

The research article titled "Low‐dose oral minoxidil as a treatment for non‐scarring alopecia: a systematic review" has been published in the International Journal of Dermatology

Link: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14933