112 Use of Minoxidil Topical Solution in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata in Patients Under 18 Years of Age

R.J. Trancik1, J.R. Spindler1, R.V. Cuddihy1, P. Doren2. Pharmacia Consumer Healthcare, Peapack, NJ, USA1 and TKL Research Inc., Paramus, NJ2.

Although the use of minoxidil topical solution (MTS) in the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) in patients under 18 years of age has been a common practice amongst physicians for several years, the prevalence of use in this population has not been well established. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use of MTS in treating AA patients under the age of 18 years. This survey of clinicians was conducted with a written questionnaire and supported by face-to-face interviews with respondents who claimed to have prescribed MTS for the treatment of AA in patients less than 18 years of age. Data from a total of 18 clinicians who treated 173 patients with AA between the ages of 1 and 17 years were collected and analyzed. Forty-eight percent were 1 to 10 years of age and 52% were 11 to 17 years of age at initiation of treatment. The mean duration of MTS treatment was 22.9 and 20.6 months, in males and females, respectively. The majority of patients (over 90%) were being treated with other medications in combination with MTS. Some patients (20% of the males, 18% of the females, and 19% overall) showed complete hair regrowth in the treated scalp areas. A few patients showed no change in their hair loss (15% overall) or a worsening of their hair loss (4% overall). Fifty-six percent of males and 58% of females are currently still undergoing treatment with MTS. Thirteen percent of patients treated with MTS alone reported an adverse reaction (itching). Very few patients (1% overall) were discontinued from treatment due to an adverse reaction. The results of this survey show that there is a population of male and female patients under 18 years of age who are being treated off-label with MTS. The results further suggest that MTS use in this population of patients has been effective, safe, and well-tolerated.