SynthesisFrontiers in pharmacology2025
Efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia: a single-arm rate meta-analysis and systematic review.
Synthesis in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Spironolactone versus Bicalutamide for Female Pattern Hair Loss: A 24-Month Unicenter Retrospective Comparative Study of Effectiveness and Safety.Dermatology and therapy · 2026Article
- Minoxidil May be a Partial Agonist of Estrogen Receptor Alpha.microPublication biology · 2026Article
- Consensus Recommendations for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Egypt: A Modified Delphi Study.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Hair loss is a prevalent aesthetic concern that impacts the quality of life and self-image of numerous individuals. While topical minoxidil has been extensively utilized in addressing hair loss for several decades, the effectiveness and safety of oral minoxidil are still a topic of debate. Despite its use in certain clinical settings, the precise efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil have not been conclusively validated. Hence, conducting a one-arm rate meta-analysis and systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of oral minoxidil in treating alopecia holds significant importance. This endeavor aims to furnish additional evidence to support clinical practice and offer guidance for future research in this domain. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search on electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from their inception up to 1 October 2024. The primary objective was to assess both the efficacy (measured by the degree of symptom improvement) and safety (including adverse event incidence) of oral minoxidil in the treatment of hair loss. Results: A total of 2,933 patients from 27 studies were included in the analysis. The efficacy of oral minoxidil for treating alopecia was primarily assessed based on the degree of symptom improvement. Among the participants, 35% (95% CI: 22%-49%) experienced significant symptom improvement, 47% (95% CI: 38%-55%) showed symptom improvement, and 26% (95% CI: 16%-37%) had stable symptoms. The incidence of adverse events in the safety evaluation was reported at 27% (95% CI: 18%-36%). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that individuals with hair loss may derive benefits from oral minoxidil, particularly at doses exceeding 1 mg. Nonetheless, additional research or data is essential to definitively establish its efficacy and safety. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024581183.
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