[Translated article] High-dose Oral Minoxidil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

Low-dose oral minoxidil (≤5mg daily) has emerged as an effective off-label treatment for androgenetic alopecia, outperforming topical minoxidil in terms of adherence. However, the optimal dose has not yet been determined, and high doses may cause systemic adverse effects. This retrospective study of 57 patients evaluated the safety and efficacy profile of oral minoxidil at higher doses (>5mg). Results showed an overall improvement in hair density between 10-30% in most patients, although with variable responses. A total of 17.5% of patients experienced significant improvements (>50%), while another 17.5% improved <10%. A quarter of the patients (24.6%) developed adverse effects, such as hypertrichosis (17.5%) and tachycardia (3.5%). Although it is a promising therapeutic option, higher doses of oral minoxidil require further studies to optimize its use and better understand its safety and efficacy profile.