Spironolactone + Minoxidil Rx
Spironolactone slows down the production of androgens. Reduced production of androgens can slow down the progression of hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia and can also encourage hair to regrow.
Minoxidil is used as treatment for hair loss. It is used to stimulate the regrowth of thicker and more abundant hair. Its efficacy extends to various triggers of hair loss, from androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata—an autoimmune ailment in which the body directs its immune response towards its own hair.
Addons
What is Spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a medication primarily used as a diuretic to treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema by blocking the action of aldosterone (a hormone that regulates sodium and water balance in the body). It is often prescribed off-label for treating hair loss, particularly in women with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). Spironolactone's anti-androgenic properties help inhibit the effects of androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which are implicated in hair loss by shrinking hair follicles.
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.
How do Spironolactone and Minoxidil work together?
Spironolactone works by blocking the action of androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can shrink hair follicles and contribute to hair loss. On the other hand, minoxidil is a vasodilator that works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and stimulating hair follicles to grow. When used together, spironolactone helps to address the hormonal component of hair loss by reducing the levels of androgens, while minoxidil promotes hair growth directly by stimulating follicles. This combination approach can potentially produce better results than either medication alone, as it targets multiple aspects of hair loss simultaneously.
A randomized trial done in Department of Dermatology in Beijing Friendship Hospital with 120 non-menopausal women. The study shows that Minoxidil and Spironolactone works better than Minoxidil alone, however more side effects were reported with the combination therapy.
Studies
Department of Dermatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, ChinaTitle: Efficacy and Safety of 5% Minoxidil Alone, Minoxidil Plus Oral Spironolactone, and Minoxidil Plus Microneedling on Female Pattern Hair Loss
Key Takeaways
At week 24, the hair density increased most in MX + MN group and increased least in MX groupThe hair shaft diameter significantly increased in all groups (p < 0.001, respectively), but there were no significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.905).Scalp pruritus was the most common side effect. The MX + SPT group had the most reported adverse effects.Department of Dermatology, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, EgyptTitle: Dermoscopic evaluation of the efficacy of combination of topical spironolactone 5% and minoxidil 5% solutions in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
Key Takeaways
Both spironolactone as a 5% topical solution and minoxidil as a 5% topical solution might be used safely in a twice-daily dosage to treat AGA in both genders. Furthermore, combining them in a single topical dose form can boost efficacy and yield greater advantages.Additional Links & Studies
A novel topical combination of minoxidil and spironolactone for androgenetic alopecia: Clinical, histopathological, and physicochemical study
Treatment of female pattern hair loss with a combination of spironolactone and minoxidil
Female pattern hair loss: a pilot study investigating combination therapy with low-dose oral minoxidil and spironolactone
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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
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