Comparison of the efficacy and safety of topical minoxidil and topical alfatradiol in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Two drugs which are approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women in Germany were compared with regard to their influence on hair growth.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients were randomized to group I (n = 52) who used 2% minoxidil solution twice daily for a period of 12 months or to group II (n = 51) who used 0.025% alfatradiol solution once daily for 6 months and were then switched to 2% minoxidil solution for months 7-12. Changes in hair growth parameters were determined using the TrichoScan.

RESULTS:

Topical treatment with 2% minoxidil solution for 6 months resulted in a significant increase of cumulative hair thickness (p < 0.0001) and absolute hair density (p < or = 0.0025), whereas these parameters of hair growth remained nearly unchanged after 6 months of treatment with alfatradiol solution. Evaluation of the same parameters from month 7 to month 12 demonstrated that 12 months minoxidil treatment resulted in an increasing stabilization (group I). After the alfatradiol-->minoxidil switch in group II a significant increase in cumulative hair thickness (p < 0.0001) and absolute hair density (p < 0.0001) was achieved. Both study medications were well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Treatment with minoxidil can induce an increase in hair density and hair thickness,whereas treatment with alfatradiol results in deceleration or stabilization of hair loss.

• Authors: Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, Christian Kunte, Andreas Krisp, Natalie Garcia Bartels, Ulf Ellwanger, Rolf Hoffmann
• Journal: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG (J Dtsch Dermatol Ges) Vol. 5 Issue 5 Pg. 391-5 (May 2007) ISSN: 1610-0387 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 17451383 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase IV, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• alfatradiol
• Estradiol
• Minoxidil

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Alopecia (drug therapy)
• Drug Eruptions (etiology)
• Estradiol (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
• Female
• Germany
• Hair (drug effects, growth & development)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Minoxidil (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Scalp Dermatoses (chemically induced)
• Treatment Outcome
• Women's Health