title: Topical 5-fluorouracil is ineffective in the treatment of extensive alopecia areata.
abstract: We report the results of a pilot study of topical 5% 5-fluorouracil (FU) cream for the treatment of alopecia areata, an immunologically modulated disorder of hair growth. Patients with extensive (>50% scalp surface area involvement) alopecia areata that was refractory to previous treatments applied 5-FU to one side of their scalp twice daily for 3 to 6 months. In all, 9 patients enrolled, and 8 completed the study. No patient experienced measurable hair growth on the treated side. Only mild irritation was observed in a subset of patients with application of 5-FU to the nonphotodamaged scalp skin. Based on these results, we cannot recommend the use of topical 5-FU for treatment of alopecia areata without further evidence of therapeutic benefit.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: Elise A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Olsen
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D005472:Fluorouracil