P9.120 MINOXIDIL 5% TOPICAL SOLUTION IS EFFECTIVE IN PATIENTS WITH PREVIOUS TREATMENT FAILURE OF FINASTERIDE OR 17-ALPHA ESTRADIOL

Mulzer K, Rundegren J

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, Karlsruhe, Germany and Helsingborg, Sweden

Objectives: To analyse the efficacy of minoxidil 5% solution in patients who stopped pre-treatment with finasteride or 17-alpha estradiol because of insufficient efficacy.

Methods: In this open study under post-marketing conditions in Germany, 984 male patients applied 1 ml minoxidil 5% solution twice daily to their hair loss region on the scalp for 12 months. After 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, information on the type and severity of alopecia was entered in forms supplied to the physicians.

Results: Of the 984 patients included with androgenetic alopecia, pre-treatment with finasteride was reported for 103 patients and with 17-alpha estradiol for 108 patients. “Insufficient efficacy” was given as reason for termination of previous therapy for 37 finasteride and for 83 17-alpha estradiol patients.

After 6 months of treatment, the size of the area affected by hair loss had become smaller in 58% of patients in the finasteride-failure subgroup, in 49% of patients in the 17-alpha-estradiol-failure subgroup, and in 53% of all other patients. At 12 months the results were 80%, 84%, and 79%, respectively.

Promotion of new hair growth (rated as “very effective” or “effective”) after 6 months was observed in 64% in the finasteride-failure group, 55% in the 17-alpha-estradiol-failure group, and in 60% of all other patients. At 12 months the results were 72%, 84%, and 79%, respectively.

An improvement in hair density after 6 months was observed in the finasteride-failure group in 61%, in the 17-alpha-estradiol-failure group in 68%, and in all other patients in 63% and after 12 months in 80%, 91% and 85%, respectively.

Conclusions: A majority of patients, who stopped previous treatment with finasteride or 17-alpha estradiol due to the perception of insufficient efficacy, did respond to treatment with minoxidil 5% solution. Evaluation of the questionnaires with regard to the efficacy criteria “size of area affected by hair loss”, ”promotion of new hair growth”, and “improvement in hair density” showed treatment success of minoxidil 5% solution after 6 months in more than half of the patients. After 12 months about 4 out of 5 patients reported favourable treatment outcome with minoxidil in whom finasteride or 17-alpha estradiol did not work.