Treatment of Male Pattern Alopecia Using Topical Minoxidil in The Netherlands

ABSTRACT: The efficacy and safety of topically applied 2% minoxidil solution were compared with those of an excipient placebo in the treatment of early male pattern alopecia in this 24‐week, double‐blind, randomized study conducted in The Netherlands. One hundred forty‐four male patients were evaluable at week 24. They applied 1 ml of either the placebo or 2% minoxidil solution twice daily throughout the study. The 2% minoxidil solution was about three times more effective than the placebo solution in all primary efficacy parameters evaluated, (ie, hair count and investigator and patient subjective evaluation). Minoxidil did not appear to have an effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate, or body weight. One placebo patient withdrew from the study when he developed a skin rash at week 8. This study supports previous findings on the safe and effective use of minoxidil solution in the treatment of early male pattern alopecia.