Study Information and Results:
Though the use of minoxidil rogaine topical solution (MTS) in the treatment of alopecia areata (AA) in patients under 18 years of age has been a common practice amongst physicians for several years, the prevalence of use in this population has not been well established.
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use of rogaine in treating Alopecia Areata patients under the age of 18 years.
This survey of clinicians was conducted with a written questionnaire and supported by face-to-face interviews with respondents who claimed to have prescribed Rogaine Minoxidil Topical Solution for the treatment of Alopecia Areata in patients less than 18 years of age.
Data from a total of 18 clinicians who treated 173 patients with Alopecia Areata between the ages of 1 and 17 years were collected and analyzed. Forty-eight percent were 1 to 10 years of age and 52% were 11 to 17 years of age at initiation of treatment. The mean duration of Rogaine Minoxidil Topical Solution treatment was 22.9 and 20.6 months, in males and females, respectively.
The majority of patients (over 90%) were being treated with other medications in combination with Rogaine Minoxidil Topical Solution. Some patients (20% of the males, 18% of the females, and 19% overall) showed complete hair regrowth in the treated scalp areas. A few patients showed no change in their hair loss (15% overall) or a worsening of their hair loss (4% overall).
Fifty-six percent of males and 58% of females are currently still undergoing treatment with Rogaine Minoxidil Topical Solution. Thirteen percent of patients treated with Rogaine Minoxidil Topical Solution alone reported an adverse reaction (itching). Very few patients (1% overall) were discontinued from treatment due to an adverse reaction.
The results of this survey show that there is a population of male and female patients under 18 years of age who are being treated off-label with Minoxidil Topical Solution. The results further suggest that Rogaine Minoxidil Topical Solution use in this population of patients has been effective, safe, and well-tolerated.
