title: Topical minoxidil therapy for androgenetic alopecia. A 30-month study.
abstract: Seventy-two adult male patients were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation using 2% to 3% topical minoxidil solution for androgenetic alopecia. Fifty-nine patients completed the initial 12 months, and continued to use 3% topical minoxidil solution in an open study design. Hair regrowth (as measured by hair counts and bald-area diameters) was noted in all treatment groups at four months, and appeared to peak at approximately 12 months. At 30 months, mean hair counts had decreased from the 12-months level, but remained elevated over baseline counts, while mean bald-area diameters returned to baseline. However, 70% of the patients who did continue to use the drug for 30 months had 50% or more hairs than when they originally started the drug therapy. A subset of patients appeared to sustain a continued increase in hair counts after 12 months. No systemic side effects were noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Calif.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Koperski
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Orenberg
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008914:Minoxidil