Hair loss showdown: can a chemo drug gel beat minoxidil for alopecia areata?
NCT ID NCT07459933
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether a gel containing methotrexate, an immune-suppressing drug, can regrow hair in people with localized alopecia areata better than minoxidil spray. About 268 adults with less than 25% scalp hair loss will apply one of the two treatments twice daily for 24 weeks. The main goal is to see how much hair regrows using a standard scalp measurement tool.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
topical methotrexate 1% gel and minoxidil 5% spray
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a new topical treatment option for patchy hair loss from alopecia areata, potentially with fewer side effects than systemic drugs.
What could go wrong
This is a Phase 4 trial, but it hasn't started recruiting yet. Results may show no clear benefit over existing treatments, and topical methotrexate could cause skin irritation or other local side effects.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
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