Efficacy and safety of 5% minoxidil topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction

Abstract

Introduction:Male pattern hair loss is widespread around the world. Its prevalence indicates the importance of finding the best treatment modalities. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of minoxidil 5% topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction. Methods: This study was a before-and-after trial on 17 male patients with male pattern hair loss. Subjects were instructed to apply one capful (1 ml) of minoxidil 5% topical foam on the scalp daily for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed through hair counts, subject assessment, and global photographic review. Results: Seventeen male volunteers were recruited, and three volunteers were withdrawn; 14 participated in the trial for 16 weeks, and 12 continued up to 24 weeks. The average hair count with a camera at week 16 (181.87 ± 52.42) and week 24 (194.58 ± 62.82) and with an eye count at week 16 (62.57 ± 15.28) and week 24 (69.91 ± 15.61) increased significantly compared to the baseline after intervention. Conclusion: This study confirmed that minoxidil 5% topical foam is a safe and effective treatment for MPHL. The effect of it is evident after 24 weeks of use.

Comparative Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Topical 5% Cetosomal Minoxidil and Topical 5% Alcohol-Based Minoxidil Solutions for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Indian Men

“…Minoxidil crystals cause pruritus, rash, dandruff, and allergic contact dermatitis, which greatly reduce patient comfort and lead to low compliance [ 7 , 13 ]. This prompted the creation of many non-alcohol-based minoxidil formulations that were devoid of these cutaneous side effects [ 2 , 8 , 14 , 15 ].…”

Comparing Current Therapeutic Modalities of Androgenic Alopecia: A Literature Review of Clinical Trials

“…Good compliance due to a once-daily oral regimen. Cessation of therapy leads to the loss of observed results [19] and the reversal of any side effects that may have occurred [3].…”

“…Minoxidil: Topical minoxidil (2% or 5%) was the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of AGA. It is available as a topical solution as well as foam preparation; however, the foam preparation is associated with lesser local reactions such as erythema or pruritus as per Hasanzadeh et al [ 19 ]. Multiple studies have reported that combination therapy is more efficacious than 5% topical minoxidil alone.…”

Influence of Oil Polarity and Cosurfactants on the Foamability of Mono- and Diacylphosphatidylcholine Stabilized Emulsions

“…Moreover, foaming allows to transform a liquid into a spreadable formulation for easier application to, e.g., the legs. In recent years, foam formulations have established themselves as important therapy options for a multitude of indications, such as androgenic alopecia [6] and even non-dermatological conditions such as ulcerative colitis [7] or vaginal infections [8].…”