EFFECT OF TOPICAL MINOXIDIL IN ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of topical minoxidil in patients with androgenic alopecia. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in a cohort of 20 male patients aged 23-43 yr. (mean age of patients was 33 yr.) suffering androgenic alopecia. The patients were randomly assigned to receive minoxidil (treated with a daily dose) or placebo, and followed for 3 to 18 months. Treatment with minoxidil was efficacious in the 77 % of the cases, although in the placebo group, an improvement in the 9 % of the cases was observed. We conclude that topical minoxidil appears to be a safe and effective drug for controlling androgenic alopecia, considering that the 77 % of the cases had improved clinically with the treatment. The results obtained are referred and discussed.