ORAL MINOXIDIL EFFICACY AND SAFETY IN MALE ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA - A LITERATURE REVIEW

Low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), showing consistent efficacy across multiple studies. It increases terminal hair density by 21.6-23.6% on the vertex with a 5 mg daily dose, and clinical response rates range from 61-100%. Approximately 35% of patients experience significant symptom improvement, with 47% showing overall improvement. The most common adverse effect is hypertrichosis (15-49%), but it rarely leads to discontinuation (0.5%). Serious systemic adverse effects are infrequent, and LDOM does not significantly affect blood pressure, making it a valuable option for those preferring oral therapy or intolerant to topical treatments.