Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2022, e20210760.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20210760

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Application of low-dose oral minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia

Wang Qin1, Ni Chunya2, Yang Kai2, Lin Jinran1, Wu Wenyu1,2,3   

  1. 1Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; 2Jing′an District Central Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai 200040, China; 3Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
  • Received:2021-10-18 Revised:2022-07-02 Online:2022-01-01 Published:2022-09-05
  • Contact: Wu Wenyu E-mail:wenyu_wu@fudan.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Shanghai Engineering Technology Research Center of Hair Medicine (19DZ2250500); Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Hospital Development Center (SHDC2020CR2033B, SHDC22022302); Jing′an District Clinical Advantage Special Disease Construction Project (2021ZB01)

Abstract: 【Abstract】 Topical minoxidil has been applied to the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in clinical practice for a long time, but some problems still exist, such as unsatisfactory efficacy or poor tolerance. Currently, oral minoxidil is only indicated as second- or third-line therapy for hypertension, but growing evidence has supported the off-label use of low-dose oral minoxidil for the treatment of AGA. This review summarizes possible mechanisms and clinical application of low-dose oral minoxidil in the treatment of AGA.

Key words: Alopecia, Minoxidil, Therapeutic uses, Androgenetic alopecia