Treatment of female pattern hair loss with a combination of spironolactone and minoxidil.

Author(s): Hoedemaker C, van Egmond S, Sinclair R

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Publication date & source: 2007-02, Australas J Dermatol., 48(1):43-5.

Publication type: Case Reports

A 53-year-old woman with clinical evidence of female pattern hair loss and histological evidence of androgenetic alopecia was initially treated with the oral antiandrogen spironolactone 200 mg daily. Serial scalp photography documented hair regrowth at 12 months; however, the hair regrowth plateaued, and at 24 months there had been no further improvement in hair density. Twice daily therapy with topical minoxidil 5% solution was then introduced and further regrowth documented, confirming the additive effect of combination therapy.