Efficacy of off-label topical treatments for the management of androgenetic alopecia: a review

Gupta, Aditya K., Mays, Rachel R., Versteeg, Sarah G., Shear, Neil H., Piguet, Vincent and Piraccini, Bianca Maria 2019. Efficacy of off-label topical treatments for the management of androgenetic alopecia: a review. Clinical Drug Investigation 39 (3) , pp. 233-239. 10.1007/s40261-018-00743-8

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Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by non-scarring follicle miniaturization. Despite the success of approved therapies, commonly reported side effects and the need for continual use has led to the investigation of alternative therapies. The aim of this paper is to critically review the success of off-label, topical monotherapies for treatment of AGA in men. A literature search was conducted to obtain randomized, controlled and blinded studies that investigated off-label, topical, monotherapies in male patients. Hair density, hair diameter and hair growth were used to evaluate treatment success. Fourteen off-label topical therapies were investigated among the 16 studies that met inclusion criteria. Nine off-label therapies were reported to produce a significantly greater improvement in hair restoration parameters (e.g. mean change from hair count and hair diameter) as compared to placebo (p < 0.05 for all treatments). In two studies, procyanidin oligomers exhibited greater efficacy over vehicle with response to mean change in hair density (hairs/cm2) (ps < 0.0001 at Week 24). In conclusion, prostaglandin analogs and polyphenols, such as latanoprost and procyanidin oligomers, can improve hair restoration parameters in male AGA patients, possibly through targeting mechanisms proposed in the etiology of AGA. The current evidence suggests short-term (24 weeks) use may provide benefit for hair loss patients; however, long-term efficacy and safety data are required.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	1173-2563
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	18 February 2019
Date of Acceptance:	17 January 2019
Last Modified:	06 Nov 2023 19:44
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/119659

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