Alopecia: New Approved and Unapproved Treatments By Dr. Marty E. Sawaya From publication paper: Marty E. Sawaya and Jerry Shapiro: "Androgenetic Alopecia: New Approved and Unapproved Treatments" Published in Dermatologic Clinics, Vol 18, pg 43-63, Jan 2000 Abstract: In the last year and a half, two new products: 1) Propecia (finasteride) and 2) Extra Strength 5% Rogaine (minoxidil), both indicated for men with androgenetic alopecia, gained approval in the USA. These two products along with 2% minoxidil are the only ones that are considered as "approved products" by the USA Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for growing scalp hair. These products went facts shampoos causes alopecia through vigorous clinical trials testing to show efficacy. However, it is important to recognize the multitude of "other" agents that are "unapproved" in that they have not been through rigid clinical trial testing to show efficacy by FDA standards. Some of these treatment options may be used by physicians as "off label" prescription products (drugs approved for other indications but which have not been tested for hair growth) for their patients. Then there are the "others", the over-the-counter (OTC) products used to treat hair loss. The OTC "unapproved" treatments make claims from "preventing hair loss," to "growth of new hair follicles," which may confuse not only patients seeking treatment, cures balding causes alopecia but physicians who are asked about these treatment options. Common questions asked are: What are these products? How effective are they? Do these things really work and are they cheaper than the approved products? Is there any harm in using these agents? All of these are good questions to ask when inquiring about hair growth agents for alopecia. The search for new and effective agents to treat many different hair loss problems has been intensified by the increase in hair biology research taking place worldwide, from academic institutions to the pharmaceutical companies, all with a desire to profit from marketing such drugs and treatments which have been termed "cosmeceuticals." hair loss causes causes alopecia Millions of
