In this episode, we dive into a thought-provoking study by Sanfilippo and Friedman, "Survey of Dermatology Practitioners' Opinions and Prescribing Habits of Oral Minoxidil for the Treatment of Androgenetic Hair Loss".

The study provides valuable insights into the perceptions of practitioners on oral minoxidil, an increasingly popular option for treating hair loss.

We discuss the results of this survey and compare it with previous studies, shedding light not only on the effectiveness of oral minoxidil but also on the practitioners' comfort level in prescribing it and patients' satisfaction with its results.

The pulse of the global community and the evidence provided by well-conducted studies play a significant role in shaping our understanding of oral minoxidil. There's a critical need for long-term evaluations and more comprehensive studies to establish its effects and side effects over years of use.

Stay tuned for more in-depth discussions as we continue to explore the realm of hair loss treatments.

And don't forget, if you want to immerse yourself in the study of hair loss and acquire advanced clinical and problem-solving skills, consider applying for a training position in the Evidence-Based Hair Fellowship, the world's most comprehensive program for physicians and allied health professionals.

In this episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast hair loss specialist Dr. Jeff Donovan breaks down the findings of a recent study comparing oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil in the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia. Published in JAMA Dermatology, the study challenged popular opinions by revealing similar performance between the two types of minoxidil, putting a spotlight on the importance of robust evidence from randomized controlled trials.

Interestingly, Dr. Donovan examined the historical usage of oral minoxidil, once a blood pressure medication, in treating hair loss and the subsequent need for more rigorous studies to solidify its effectiveness. The episode also covers the surprising conclusion that oral minoxidil did not significantly outperform its topical counterpart, contrary to what the mainstream assumes.

Diving deeper into the debate, Dr. Donovan explored differing perspectives derived from the Pantchprateep et al and Penha et al studies of oral minoxidil. Where the Panchaprateep et al study suggested that all patients saw some improvement, the Penha et al study showed that not all participants experienced the same positive results.

In an in-depth examination of the 'Oral Minoxidil versus Topical Minoxidil for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Clinical Trial', the potential side effects, including minor adverse effects of both treatments were also discussed. While not definitive in recommending one treatment over the other, the episode sparks stimulating discussions around the efficacy of oral minoxidil, its comparison to topical minoxidil, and the potential of randomized controlled trials in determining the optimal treatment for male androgenetic hair loss.

STUDIES REVIEWED IN THIS EPISODE

Penha MA et al. Oral Minoxidil vs Topical Minoxidil for Male Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatol . 2024 Apr 10:e240284. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.0284. Online ahead of print

Panchaprateep et al. Efficacy and Safety of Oral Minoxidil 5 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: An Open-Label and Global Photographic Assessment. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Dec;10(6):1345-1357

This episode is dedicated to a fascinating subject – drug-induced alopecia areata. In addition to genetic factors, alopecia areata is also influenced by environmental factors such as infections and medications. In this episode, Dr Donovan highlights two studies: “A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Medications Used by Patients Reporting Alopecia Areata on the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System” by Ravapati et al and “Drug-Induced Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review” by Ezemma et al. These studies present an intensive exploration of drugs possibly causing alopecia areata.

Studies show that monoclonal antibodies are common culprits, and reports of drug-induced alopecia areata are rising every over time.

Surprisingly, it has been observed that the onset of drug-induced alopecia areata could be delayed by as much as a year. Also, patients who discontinued the alleged drug stimulating alopecia areata experienced regrowth of hair, while those who didn't, failed unless treated.

Email is info@donovanhairacademy.com or visit our website www.donovanhairacademy.com.

Thank you all for joining. See you next week!