Topical cetirizine effective against androgenetic alopecia, study finds
China: 1% topical cetirizine could be a choice for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), particularly for those patients with a negative response to topical minoxidil, a recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has revealed.
Cetirizine is an agent used widely for allergic disorders. It has been in use recently for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Ming Yang, Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China, and colleagues, therefore, aimed to summarize the current evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of topical cetirizine for AGA treatment.
For this purpose, the researchers searched online databases. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized clinical trials were included. Initially, they identified 102 records, of which, two RCTs and one non-randomized clinical trial were included, which were of moderate-to-high risk of bias.
Based on the study, the researchers reported the following findings:
- All included trials used 1% topical cetirizine as the intervention with various regimens.
- Topical cetirizine was likely to be more effective than a placebo for treating AGA.
- In comparison with topical minoxidil, topical cetirizine appears to be less effective for improving total and vellus hair density, but it might have a longer-lasting effect.
- Cetirizine might be as effective as minoxidil in improving hair diameter.
The researchers wrote, "1% topical cetirizine may serve as a choice for treating AGA, particularly for patients with a negative response to topical minoxidil."
They further add that there is a requirement for additional well-designed RCTs in order to fully understand the role of topical cetirizine for AGA.
What is androgenetic alopecia?
Androgenetic alopecia is a common type of hair loss seen in both men and women. In men, this condition is also known as male-pattern baldness. Hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples.
In women, the pattern of hair loss is different from male-pattern baldness. The hair becomes thinner all over the head, and there is no receding in the hairline. This condition rarely leads to total baldness in women.
Reference:
Chen X, Xiang H, Yang M. Topical Cetirizine for Treating Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Aug 17. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15309. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35976065.
