The safety and efficacy of 3% topical
minoxidil were evaluated in the treatment of extensive
patchy alopecia areata,
alopecia totalis, and
alopecia universalis. Patients with extensive
patchy alopecia areata had greater than 50% scalp
hair loss. In this double-blind study, thirty subjects applied
minoxidil or placebo to half of the afflicted scalp area twice daily, with overnight
petrolatum occlusion, for 1 year. Both male and female subjects, ranging in age from 9 to 65 years, were enrolled, fifteen subjects to each treatment group.
Minoxidil applications were generally well tolerated except for three instances of scalp
itching and
dermatitis, two of which necessitated discontinuing the medication. Hair growth was seen in seven of eleven evaluable subjects (63.6%) in the
minoxidil group and in five of fourteen evaluable subjects (35.7%) in the placebo group. Excellent, cosmetically acceptable hair growth was seen in three of eleven
minoxidil-treated subjects (27.3%) and in one of fourteen placebo-treated subjects (7.1%). Examination of vital signs and laboratory measurements revealed no evidence of systemic effects of
minoxidil. Seven of the twelve subjects assayed in the
minoxidil group had detectable
minoxidil serum levels, ranging from 0.4 to 7.5 ng/ml.