Topical minoxidil: review of efficacy and safety.

Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of androgenetic alopecia. It has been approved for such use in many other countries. This paper is a review and summary of the reported efficacy and safety of topical minoxidil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The results of anecdotal and controlled clinical trials are included. Realistic appraisal of the restorative and/or preventative potentials of topical minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia is needed.