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From: fishbein@nbs-amrf.UUCP (Donn Fishbein)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Hair restorer found?
Message-ID: <405@nbs-amrf.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 31-Jan-85 21:36:50 EST
Article-I.D.: nbs-amrf.405
Posted: Thu Jan 31 21:36:50 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Feb-85 13:00:45 EST
References: <260@psivax.UUCP>, <31200008@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Organization: Natl. Inst. Health, Bethesda, MD
Lines: 44


>All I can remember about this "miracle" baldness cure is that its name
>is minoxitin (I think that's how to spell it).  From what I have heard
>and read, it really *does* cause hair growth; the problem is that it is
>not known what else it does!  About a year ago, I heard on some TV news
>magazine that it would be at least a year before it could be used to
>treat baldness.  I think drugs like this can only work if the hair
>folicles (sp?) are not dead, is that true?

The drug you are refering to is "minoxidil" (The Upjohn Company).  It
is an extremely potent anti-hypertensive agent, usually reserved for
patients with malignant hypertension.  It is usually administered with
both a beta-blocker and a diuretic.  Treatment is usually started with
the patient in the hospital to provide for close monitoring.  It has a
number of serious side effects, including cardiac toxicity.  Among its
less serious side effects is hypertrichosis, the excessive growth
of hair.  This usually occurs with fine body hairs on the temples,
between the eyebrows, between the hairline and the eyebrows, in the
side-burn area, and later extends to the back, arms, legs and scalp.
It is unsightly and distressing to patients so affected (~80%).

The above applies to the systemic (oral) administration of the drug.
There has been some discussion about the use of a topical cream to
promote hair growth in selected areas.  However, the mechanism of
hypertrichosis with minoxidil usage is not known.  If it is a direct
effect upon hair follicles, it is possible topical application would
work.  However, if it is mediated through a systemic effect which
secondarily effects the hair follicles, it would not work topically
unless a) it was absorbed through the skin, and b) a sufficiently high
dosage was used to produce the systemic effect.  This would defeat the
purpose of topical administration (limiting exposure and thus toxicity
to the rest of the body).

There is sufficient economic incentive to encourage the pharmaceutical
industry to investigate its topical usage.  My advice would be to
await the results of this..rest assured that if it works it will
appear on the market.


-- 
Donn S. Fishbein, MD
Neuro-Imaging Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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