Expanding the therapeutic landscape of minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia: topical, oral and sublingual formulations - PubMed
5 days ago
- #hair-loss-treatment
- #androgenetic-alopecia
- #minoxidil
- Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects up to 80% of men and 50% of women by age 70.
- Minoxidil, originally an oral antihypertensive, is widely used for AGA due to its safety and efficacy.
- Topical minoxidil is the only FDA-approved treatment for AGA, promoting hair growth through various mechanisms.
- 5% topical minoxidil formulations increase hair counts, though results vary due to differences in sulfotransferase activity.
- Low-dose oral minoxidil (0.25-5 mg) is an option for patients unresponsive to topical therapy, with hypertrichosis as the main side effect.
- Sublingual minoxidil bypasses first-pass metabolism, potentially enhancing bioavailability and reducing systemic exposure.
- Early evidence suggests sublingual minoxidil has similar efficacy to oral therapy with fewer cardiovascular risks.
- Topical minoxidil remains first-line, while oral and sublingual options support personalized treatment.
- Further studies are needed to optimize dosing, confirm safety, and compare sublingual vs. oral minoxidil.