Minoxidil + Spironolactone Rx
Minoxidil is used as treatment for male hair loss. It is a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the scalp, as well as being a potassium channel opener which allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to reach the hair follicle.
Oral minoxidil may be a great alternative for those who don’t respond well to topical minoxidil, or have issues with some of its side effects (scalp irritation, brittle hair), cost, product residue, or application frequency.
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What is Minoxidil?
Minoxidil is one of two FDA-approved treatments for hair loss and has been approved for both men and women. Originally developed as an oral drug to treat high blood pressure, however, when patients started reporting unwanted hair regrowth after 3+ months of use, its manufacturers decided to reformulate it into a topical and begin testing it on men with androgenetic alopecia. Nowadays, minoxidil comes in both topical and oral forms, however, only the topical form is FDA-approved for hair loss.
What is Spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a medication primarily known as a potassium-sparing diuretic, often used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema (fluid retention). However, it's also prescribed off-label for certain dermatological conditions, including treating androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss) in women.
In the context of hair loss, spironolactone's effectiveness is attributed to its anti-androgenic properties. It works by blocking the effects of androgens (male hormones), particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a potent form of testosterone. Excessive levels of DHT in hair follicles can shrink them, leading to thinner and shorter hair growth cycles.
Studies
Epworth Hospital, East Melbourne, Vic., Australia.Title: Female pattern hair loss: a pilot study investigating combination therapy with low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone
Key Takeaways
Mean hair loss severity at baseline was Sinclair 2.79 (range 2-5). Mean hair shedding score at baseline was 4.82.Mean reduction in hair loss severity score was 0.85 at 6 months and 1.3 at 12 months.Mean reduction in hair shedding score was 2.3 at 6 months and 2.6 at 12 months.Journal of Cosmetic DermatologyTitle: The efficacy of the combination of topical minoxidil and oral spironolactone compared with the combination of topical minoxidil and oral finasteride in women with androgenic alopecia
Key Takeaways
Hair density significantly improved in the minoxidil-spironolactone group (70% of patients) compared to the minoxidil-finasteride group (33.3%)No statistical difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of hair thickness.Hair loss improved in 16 (53.3%) of patients in the minoxidil-spironolactone group compared to 2 (6.7%) of patients in the minoxidil-finasteride group.Additional Links & Studies
Is topical minoxidil solution effective on androgenetic alopecia in routine daily practice?
Minoxidil: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic use
Clinical utility and validity of minoxidil response testing in androgenetic alopecia
Novel enzymatic assay predicts minoxidil response in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
Treatment of female pattern hair loss with oral antiandrogens
Female pattern hair loss: a pilot study investigating combination therapy with low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone
How ulo works
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Meet the Team
Hair Loss Medical Advisors
William Rassman
MD, Founder of the New Hair Institute (NHI)
Heidi Goodarzi, M.D.
Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Dermatologist
Related products
We believe in clean and responsible hair.
Every product we formulate is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oils, GMOs, and is always cruelty-free. Based on your preferences, we can make your formula vegan, silicone-free, or fragrance-free.
