Efficacy of Topical and Oral Minoxidil in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

    September 2025 in “ Editora Pasteur eBooks ”
    MARIA BEATRIZ CORREA ANELI, MARIA PAULA VITALINO FARIA DA SILVA, F.H. Ito, MARIA EDUARDA MONTEIRO OLIVEIRA, VITTÓRIA VALENTINA PAPIN, TALITA GALVÃO SALIONI, CAMILLA CIVOLANI PANEK, JULIA ANTUNES RAIMUNDO, GIOVANA RIBEIRO BERTOLO, Arão Belitardo Oliveira, Ana Claúdia Celestino Bezerra Leite, VIVIANE NARDIN MONTE BELLO VASQUES
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    TLDR Low-dose oral minoxidil is as effective as or better than topical minoxidil for hair growth but may cause mild side effects.
    The document reviews the efficacy and safety of oral versus topical minoxidil for treating androgenetic alopecia. It finds that low-dose oral minoxidil is as effective or more effective than 5% topical minoxidil in increasing hair density and improving hair quality, with better adherence due to ease of use and fewer local side effects. However, oral minoxidil may cause systemic side effects like diffuse hypertrichosis and mild cardiovascular changes, which are generally well-tolerated with proper monitoring. Further rigorous studies are needed to determine optimal dosing and long-term safety.
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