S12 CLINICAL UPDATE OF TOPICAL MINOXIDIL

Trancik RJ. Pharmacia & Upjohn Consumer Healthcare, Bridgewater, NJ

Topical minoxidil for use in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been available for over 10 years.  Currently, there are several treatment options for males with AGA, including topical minoxidil.  Treatment options for females with AGA, however, are limited with topical minoxidil being the primary choice. This presentation will provide an update on the use of 2% minoxidil topical solution in the treatment of female AGA, including new clinical study results for this indication.  Reports of hypertrichosis with topical minoxidil are more common in women than in men.  This topic will be also be discussed including clinical observations on the incidence by gender, along with a discussion of whether this clinical observation is due to local vs. systemic effects of minoxidil.  In addition, new information relating to the mechanism of action of minoxidil continues to appear in the medical/scientific literature.  A brief review of this information will be presented, focusing on a better understanding of how minoxidil stimulates hair regrowth.