al@psivax.UUCP (Al Schwartz) (01/22/85)
A while ago I saw a story about a company that was developing an Arthritis
pain relief solution that when applied to the skin was found to cause hair
growth in that local area. I think they had started testing the drug as
a possible baldness cure. Does anyone remember the exact details of this
(i.e. the company)? Thanks in advance.
--
From the makers of fine Wombat Al Schwartz
based vacuum systems. Pacesetter Systems Inc., Sylmar, CA
{trwrb|allegra|burdvax|cbosgd|hplabs|ihnp4|sdcsvax|aero|uscvax|ucla-cs|
bmcg}!sdcrdcf!psivax!alron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (01/28/85)
> A while ago I saw a story about a company that was developing an Arthritis > pain relief solution that when applied to the skin was found to cause hair > growth in that local area. I think they had started testing the drug as > a possible baldness cure. Does anyone remember the exact details of this > (i.e. the company)? Thanks in advance. I believe it was an anti-hypertension drug.
bcase@uiucdcs.UUCP (01/28/85)
[bug lunch]
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?
bcasebcase@uiucdcs.UUCP (01/29/85)
[bug lunch] Yes, that sounds right, minoxitin was to treat high blood presure, not arthritis pain.
mef@wucs.UUCP (Mark Frisse) (01/31/85)
> > > > A while ago I saw a story about a company that was developing an Arthritis > > pain relief solution that when applied to the skin was found to cause hair > > growth in that local area. I think they had started testing the drug as > > a possible baldness cure. Does anyone remember the exact details of this > > (i.e. the company)? Thanks in advance. > > I believe it was an anti-hypertension drug. The name of the drug is Minoxidil, and one of its most disturbing side effects is the development of dark, coarse hairs - more over the face than on the top of the head, and not enough to correct baldness. I'm sure the drug company with the patent is trying to develop related agents that either correct high blood pressure OR correct baldness - I suspect there's more money in the latter! and far fewer agents from which to pick. Minoxidil is a great drug for serious hypertension, but usually is reserved for those refractory to the many other available agents. Mark Frisse
fishbein@nbs-amrf.UUCP (Donn Fishbein) (02/01/85)
>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 ..!seismo!nbs-amrf!neurad!donn (301)496-6801