In the future, hair loss prevention and treatment may become even more convenient for many people. A large international group of dermatology experts now believes that most people suffering from hair loss may benefit from taking an affordable tablet version of minoxidil, the active ingredient in the well-known topical drug Rogaine. He advises that there is.
In a paper published Wednesday, dermatologists from 12 countries come together to offer recommendations for the use of low-dose oral minoxidil, an emerging but off-label hair loss treatment. Experts agree that oral minoxidil can be an attractive alternative for most teens and adults with hair loss who are unsatisfied with topical versions for whatever reason. This group’s support could expand awareness of this treatment among dermatologists and their patients.
Topical minoxidil is a standard hair loss treatment, even over-the-counter. over 30 years. However, recently some doctors Low dose oral formulation Instead, it offered minoxidil for patients, claiming it may have unique benefits.
For example, minoxidil is known to cause redness and burning in some cases when applied topically to the scalp. Minoxidil is toxic to both animals, so dog and cat owners should also use it with caution. Others may simply not like leaving topical gels or foams in their hair on a regular basis. The daily pill version circumvents many of these limitations, but very low cost. Some studies even suggest that taking minoxidil orally may be more effective against general hair loss. not easily absorbed Allows the drug to penetrate through the scalp.
But for now, oral minoxidil is a niche treatment. One reason for this is that only topical minoxidil is approved for the treatment of hair loss, so it is off-label. While research is progressing, continued to show support Oral minoxidil has been used as a hair loss treatment for many years, but most doctors likely know little about it. That lack of knowledge may include how to properly administer it to patients and why it is not recommended for some people.
The researchers behind this new paper say: published At JAMA Dermatology, we decided to form a consensus on this topic. After reviewing the current evidence, the researchers surveyed 43 hair loss specialist dermatologists from 12 countries with a long list of questions and statements about oral minoxidil and how best to use it. Overall, experts agreed on 76 items, including that it should be a viable option for people who don’t respond to or otherwise don’t gel with topical minoxidil.
“The consensus is that if topical application of minoxidil is logistically difficult or causes undesirable hairstyle problems or scalp irritation, or if it is ineffective or if it is more affordable, This suggests that lower doses of oral minoxidil may be considered,” said study co-author Paradi Mirmirani. dermatologist in california, said daily health.
Oral minoxidil is also used to lower blood pressure in people with severe hypertension, and this version of the drug comes with a black box warning that its use may increase the risk of heart disease. Some doctors administer oral minoxidil for hair loss. discussed The doses they prescribe are likely too low to pose similar cardiac risks. However, experts in this consensus state that oral minoxidil should not be given to people with certain heart conditions, such as pericarditis, and that people with other heart conditions or health conditions should first seek medical attention. They agree that doctors and related specialists should be allowed to use the drug.
Still, the guidelines should mean that doctors will be more able and willing to prescribe oral minoxidil to hair loss patients, researchers say.
“Given that the use of oral minoxidil in dermatology is still new, many physicians still feel uncomfortable prescribing it,” said co-author Brittany Craiglow, associate adjunct professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. he told Everyday Health. “This consensus statement provides a wealth of useful information regarding indications, dosing, and side effects, which we hope will give dermatologists more confidence in its use.”
