Summary:
Xalatan (Latanoprost) is a liquid used as eyedrops for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. One of the noted side effects is growth and pigmentation of eyebrow hairs. In studies, Xalatan has had a very profound effect at regrowing eyebrow hair that was lost. For this reason, many are now trying it to see if they can cause hair growth on their scalp. The good news is that it is a safe drug and could very well help to regrow hair — the bad news is that it is very expensive at the current average price of around $40-$45 US for 2.5mL (a normal bottle of Minoxidil has 60mL).
Treatment Type:
Eye treatment for glaucoma, unknown method of hair growth.
Availability:
Prescription.
Clinical Results:
In a study of 43 subjects, each treated in one eye with Xalatan and the other with a placebo, the Xalatan treated side had more eyebrow hair growth as well as greater length, thickness, and pigmentation.
Observed Results:
Many are just now trying this for hair loss and there are no conclusive reports yet as to any effectiveness on scalp hair growth.
Side Effects:
Latanoprost appears to have a low potential for causing adverse systemic effects when applied topically to the eye. Upper respiratory tract infection/cold/flu has occurred in 4% of patients receiving latanoprost ophthalmic solution in phase III clinical studies. Adverse systemic effects reported in 1—2% of patients receiving latanoprost in these studies include muscle/joint/back pain, chest pain/angina pectoris, or rash/allergic skin reactions. Toxic epidermal necrolysis, edema (peripheral and facial), dyspnea, asthma, exacerbation of asthma, tachycardia, myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular accident, and hypertension have occurred in patients receiving latanoprost. While IV administration of high-doses of latanoprost in monkeys (i.e., 50—150 times the usual human dose) has been associated with transient increases in airway resistance and blood pressure, latanoprost ophthalmic solution has been used in individuals with bronchial asthma without inducing bronchoconstriction.
Laboratory analysis of blood and urine before and during latanoprost therapy have not revealed any substantial change in hematologic, urinary, or clinical chemistry values in patients receiving the drug.
Latanoprost was not mutagenic in microbial (Ames), mouse lymphoma, or in mouse micronucleus tests; however, chromosome aberrations were observed in vitro with human lymphocytes.
No evidence of carcinogenic potential was observed in mice or rats given latanoprost by oral gavage in dosages up to 170 µg/kg daily (approximately 2800 times the recommended maximum human dose) for 20 or 24 months, respectively. In vitro and in vivo studies evaluating unscheduled DNA synthesis in rats receiving latanoprost were negative.
Cost:
$40-$45 for a 2.5mL bottle.
