Comparison of The Efficacy of Topical Cetirizine 1% Versus Topical Minoxidil 5% Solution in Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia

Hadeer Samy Abd-Elfattah, Resident of Dermatology, Andrology & STDs, Samanoud General Hospital, Samanoud, EgyptFollow
Bothaina Mahrous Ghanem, Professor of Dermatology, Andrology & STDs, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Farid Abd-Elreheim Badria, Professor of Pharmacognosy, FAB-Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
Mohammed Samir Sultan, Lecturer of Dermatology, Andrology & STDs, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Corresponding Author

Hadeer S. Abd El-fattah

Subject Area

Dermatology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of non-scaring hair loss characterized by extensive miniaturization of scalp hair follicles. Minoxidil is a standard topical treatment. Cetirizine, an antihistamine with anti-inflammatory properties, may be beneficial by modulating prostaglandins—specifically by inhibiting PGD2 and promoting PGE2, both of which have essential roles in hair cycle regulation. Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical cetirizine 1% versus minoxidil 5% in treating male AGA. Patients and Methods: Forty male patients were randomly allocated in this randomized controlled study to receive topical cetirizine 1% or minoxidil 5%. Clinical photographs and dermoscopic evaluations were conducted at baseline, week 16, and week 24. Key parameters included average hair diameter, terminal hair count, and vellus hair count. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups. By week 16, the minoxidil group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in hair diameter, terminal hair count, and reduction in vellus hair count compared to the cetirizine group (p-values: 0.002, 0.042, and 0.020, respectively). These differences were more pronounced by week 24. The cetirizine group also showed significant improvement, primarily at week 24. Patient satisfaction was comparable between groups, although a higher ratio of patients in the minoxidil group reported “excellent” outcomes. No adverse events were recorded in the cetirizine group, whereas minor and non-significant side effects (pruritus, scaling) were noted in the minoxidil group. Conclusion: Both treatments improved clinical parameters of AGA, with minoxidil being more effective overall. Cetirizine 1% showed promising results with an excellent safety profile.

Recommended Citation

Abd-Elfattah, Hadeer Samy; Ghanem, Bothaina Mahrous; Badria, Farid Abd-Elreheim; and Sultan, Mohammed Samir (2025) "Comparison of The Efficacy of Topical Cetirizine 1% Versus Topical Minoxidil 5% Solution in Treatment of Male Androgenetic Alopecia," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 55 : Iss. 1 , Article 2.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.58775/2735-3990.1491