Comparing the Efficiency of Combination of Minoxidil Solution and Tacrolimus Cream with Minoxidil Solution Alone in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center AND Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center AND Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Student of Medicine, School of Medicine AND Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata is an idiopathic disease in which there is patchy hair loss. Many treatments for hair loss coin (less than 50% hair loss) has been proposed Including corticosteroid injections, topical 5% minoxidil, and anthralin cream or ointment on the skin without hair. Since recent studies on the role of autoantibodies and autoimmune disease in alopecia areata have raised and the drugs used in its treatment are immunomodulators, this study aimed to compare the efficiency of tacrolimus and minoxidil with minoxidil alone in the treatment of alopecia areata.Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial study was done in Alzahra Hospital and Sedigheh Tahira Center of Dermatology and Leishmaniasis, affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, from September 2012 to September 2013. In this study, 96 lesions in 54 patients with alopecia areata with various size and number of lesions were studied in two treatment groups. One group recived minoxidil 5% solution and tacrolimus 0.1% cream, and the other received minoxidil 5% solution and placebo cream. The mean lesion area at the onset of treatment, one and two months after starting the treatment, and one and three months after ending the therapy were measured  compared between the groups in both sexes and various ages.Findings: After the treatment, the lesions in group minoxidil and tacrolimus increased and in the group treated with placebo cream and minoxidil solution decreased.Conclusion: In our study, minoxidil 5% solution alone was more effective in treatment of alopecia areata compared to combination of minoxidil 5% solution and tacrolimus 0.1% cream.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 269 - Serial Number 269
November and December 2014
Pages 2315-2325

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History

  • Receive Date: 30 January 2014
  • Revise Date: 01 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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