Possible Interaction: Minoxidil and Tretinoin

“The synergistic effect of retinoids in combination with a low concentration of minoxidil should also be further investigated.”

“ Tretinoin is a mitogen by itself and also enhances the absorption of minoxidil which acts by enlarging the miniaturized hair follicles.”

“For this reason, it was assumed that tretinoin would be helpful in alleviating the inconvenience associated with the recommended twice-daily application of minoxidil.”

“ Tretinoin is known to increase the percutaneous absorption of minoxidil and, therefore, to enhance the response of AGA to minoxidil.”

“ All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been reported to act synergistically with minoxidil in vivo: they can enhance more dense hair regrowth than either compound alone.”

“In addition, minoxidil plus ATRA elevated phosphorylated Erk, phosphorylated Akt and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, but decreased the expressions of P53 and P21 more effectively than by minoxidil alone.”

“ Minoxidil plus ATRA additively promoted hair growth in vitro, compared with minoxidil alone.”

“… minoxidil … ATRA would additively enhance hair growth by mediating dual functions: 1) the prolongation of cell survival by activating the Erk and Akt signaling pathways, and … of apoptosis of DPCs and epithelial cells by increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and downregulating the expressions of P53 and P21.”

“We propose that certain retinoids increase the rate of hair growth, prolong the anagen phase of the hair cycle, play a role in converting vellus to terminal hairs, and act synergistically with minoxidil to produce more dense hair regrowth from regressing follicles than either compound alone.”

“Another drug Tretinoin (TRET) is known for its comedolytic activity and is reported to enhance percutaneous absorption of MXD.”