From the Guidelines
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is indicated for stimulating hair growth in patients with alopecia areata and chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) or endocrine therapy-induced alopecia (EIA).
Indications for Minoxidil
- Alopecia Areata: Minoxidil can be used to stimulate hair regrowth in patients with patchy alopecia areata, although the evidence for its effectiveness is limited and inconsistent 1.
- Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia (CIA) or Endocrine Therapy-Induced Alopecia (EIA): Minoxidil can be considered to stimulate hair growth after CIA or EIA, as recommended by the ESMO clinical practice guidelines 1.
Important Considerations
- Efficacy: The response rate to minoxidil in patients with extensive alopecia areata is relatively low, ranging from 32% to 33% 1.
- Safety: Minoxidil is generally safe, with some temporary local inflammation reported, but serious side-effects are rare 1.
- Alternative Treatments: Other treatments, such as dithranol (anthralin) and systemic corticosteroids, may also be considered for alopecia areata, but their effectiveness and safety profiles vary 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Minoxidil topical solution 5% is for men with hair loss or thinning hair that begins on the vertex of the scalp. Minoxidil topical solution 5% is more likely to regrow hair in men with hair loss in the range shown. Minoxidil topical solution 5% will not prevent or improve hair loss which may occur with the use of some prescription and non-prescription medications, certain severe nutritional problems (very low body iron; too much vitamin A intake), low thyroid states (hypothyroidism), chemotherapy, or diseases which cause scarring of the scalp The indications for Minoxidil (Rogaine) are for male pattern hair loss, specifically for men with thinning hair or hair loss on the vertex of the scalp. It is not intended for frontal baldness or a receding hairline. Key points include:
- Men 18 years or older with gradually thinning hair or hair loss on the top of the scalp
- Vertex hair loss, as shown in the product information
- Not for use in women, children under 18, or for hair loss due to certain medical conditions or scalp damage 2
From the Research
Indications for Minoxidil (Rogaine)
Minoxidil is used to treat various types of hair loss, including:
- Androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Alopecia areata (AA) 3, 4, 5, 7
- Telogen effluvium 4, 7
- Monilethrix 3, 4, 7
- Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) 3, 4, 7
- Eyebrow hypotrichosis 4
- Scarring alopecia (although evidence is limited) 4, 5
- Lichen planopilaris 7
- Loose anagen hair syndrome 7
- Permanent chemotherapy-induced alopecia 3, 7
Forms of Minoxidil
Minoxidil can be administered in various forms, including: