Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss: a multicenter study of 1404 patients

[waynakyo]

DEFINE_ME

Abstract​

Background​

The major concern regarding the use of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) in the treatment of hair loss is the potential risk of systemic adverse effects.

Objective​

To describe the safety of LDOM for the treatment of hair loss in a large cohort of patients.

Methods​

Retrospective multicenter study of patients treated with LDOM for at least 3 months as a treatment for any type of alopecia.

Results​

A total of 1404 patients [943 women (67.2%) and 461 men (32.8%)] with a mean age of 43 years (range 8-86) were included. From them, the dose of LDOM was titrated in 1065 patients, allowing the analysis of 2469 different cases. The most frequent adverse effect was hypertrichosis (15.1%) which led to treatment withdrawal in 14 patients (0.5%). Systemic adverse effects included lightheadedness (1.7%), fluid retention (1.3%), tachycardia (0.9%), headache (0.4%), periorbital edema (0.3%) and insomnia (0.2%), leading to drug discontinuation in 29 patients (1.2%). No life-threatening adverse effects were observed.

 

[Selb]

DEFINE_ME

Abstract​

Background​

The major concern regarding the use of low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) in the treatment of hair loss is the potential risk of systemic adverse effects.

Objective​

To describe the safety of LDOM for the treatment of hair loss in a large cohort of patients.

Methods​

Retrospective multicenter study of patients treated with LDOM for at least 3 months as a treatment for any type of alopecia.

Results​

A total of 1404 patients [943 women (67.2%) and 461 men (32.8%)] with a mean age of 43 years (range 8-86) were included. From them, the dose of LDOM was titrated in 1065 patients, allowing the analysis of 2469 different cases. The most frequent adverse effect was hypertrichosis (15.1%) which led to treatment withdrawal in 14 patients (0.5%). Systemic adverse effects included lightheadedness (1.7%), fluid retention (1.3%), tachycardia (0.9%), headache (0.4%), periorbital edema (0.3%) and insomnia (0.2%), leading to drug discontinuation in 29 patients (1.2%). No life-threatening adverse effects were observed.

What dosage did they use?

 

[waynakyo]

Different doses (multi center study) Low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) (0.25-5 mg/d) has been used off label to treat various forms of alopecia.
The mean dose used was 1.63 mg (range 0.03-15) and the mean duration of 87 treatment was 7.9 months (range 3-79)


Despite the relatively high incidence of systemic side effects with antihypertensive doses of minoxidil (10-40 mg) we found that systemic side effects using low doses of oral minoxidil (≤5 mg) were uncommon and not dose-dependent. 172 We hypothesize that systemic adverse effects of LDOM may be influenced by idiosyncratic 173 patient characteristics and individual genetic variations in the activity of the minoxidil sulfotransferase enzyme (SULT1A1).

 

[Selb]

Different doses (multi center study) Low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) (0.25-5 mg/d) has been used off label to treat various forms of alopecia.
The mean dose used was 1.63 mg (range 0.03-15) and the mean duration of 87 treatment was 7.9 months (range 3-79)


Despite the relatively high incidence of systemic side effects with antihypertensive doses of minoxidil (10-40 mg) we found that systemic side effects using low doses of oral minoxidil (≤5 mg) were uncommon and not dose-dependent. 172 We hypothesize that systemic adverse effects of LDOM may be influenced by idiosyncratic 173 patient characteristics and individual genetic variations in the activity of the minoxidil sulfotransferase enzyme (SULT1A1).

Interesting. This means that up to 5mg, your sides are completely genetically determined.