What was the first FDA approved medication for the treatment of MPB?
A. Topical minoxidil. A 2% solution with the proprietary name of Rogaine® or Regaine® was manufactured by Upjohn Pharmaceutical and approved by the U.S. FDA in 1988. Ironically, we still do not know exactly how or why minoxidil promotes hair growth. Although we know that it is a potassium channel opener, other medications that also function as potassium channel openers do not promote hair growth. Minoxidil promotes enhanced follicular size, resulting in larger hair shaft diameters. It also stimulates and prolongs the anagen (growing) phase of the hair growth cycle.
