A Comparative Study between the Efficacy and Safety of
5% Minoxidil Solution and 5% Minoxidil Milky Lotion
in the Treatment of Male Androgenic Alopecia†
Rattapon Thuangtong MD*, Kanchalit Thanomkitti MD*, Saroj Suvanasuthi MD, PhD*
Affiliation :
* Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Source of support Siriraj Grant for Research Development and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,
Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
† Prior presentation Oral presentation in 38th Annual Meeting of the Dermatological Society of Thailand
Background : 5% minoxidil solution is approved for the treatment of male androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, there
have been occasional reports of adverse events that were caused mostly by propylene glycol sensitivity. As an alternative
treatment, Siriraj hair team developed a proprietary preparation referred to as “minoxidil milky lotion” that uses butylene
glycol as a substitute for propylene glycol.
Objective : To compare the efficacy and safety of 5% minoxidil solution with 5% minoxidil milky lotion in the treatment of
male AGA.
Materials and Method: Twenty males with AGA were recruited for this prospective randomized study. Subjects were randomly
treated with 5% minoxidil solution or 5% minoxidil milky lotion. Clinical outcomes and adverse events were recorded at 8,
16, and 24 weeks.
Results : The mean age of subjects was 43.5±12.5 years (range, 26-65 years). Percentage increase in hair density at 8 weeks
after receiving 5% minoxidil solution and 5% minoxidil milky lotion was 8.8% and 37.4%, respectively (p = 0.01). However,
there was no statistically significant difference between the two preparations at the 16 and 24 week visits. Mild irritation was
reported in 1 case in the 5% minoxidil milky lotion group.
Study limitation: Small sample size.
Conclusion : Both formulations were found to be effective and safe in the treatment of male AGA. 5% minoxidil milky
lotion may be an alternative treatment in propylene glycol-sensitive patients, with efficacy that is comparable to that of 5%
minoxidil solution.
Keywords : 5% minoxidil solution, 5% minoxidil milky lotion, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, male androgenetic alopecia,
contact dermatitis
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