In my old posts on Bimatoprost, I mentioned the related glaucoma drug Latanoprost. While Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide analog, Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog and it prolongs the anagen phase of the hair cycle via the prostaglandin effect.
Latanoprost for Hair Growth Trial
The renowned Dr. Rodney Sinclair and his Melbourne based Sinclair Dermatology clinic will test Latanoprost eye drops for hair growth in a new clinical trial. I have covered Dr. Sinclair numerous times on this blog, including in my post on “Oral Minoxidil“. Most recently, his clinic has taken the lead in testing Hope Medicine’s HMI-115 prolactin receptor antibody.
Latanoprost (sold under the brand name Xalatan) is a medication that is used to treat increased pressure inside the eye. This includes ocular hypertension and glaucoma. It was approved for medical use in the US in 1996. However, it is not FDA approved to treat hair loss. One of the noted side effects of Latanoprost (off-label use) is an increase in the thickness and density of eyelash hair.
However, this type of cosmetic use near the eye region can come with serious side effects in the eyes. Moreover:
“The overgrowth of lashes may result in lash misdirection and distichiasis, and an extra row of hair at the aperture of the meibomian glands that can result in eye irritation.”
Prostaglandin Analogs
Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α or PGF2a) analog, similar to Travoprost and Tafluprost. A 2012 German study of 16 men with androgenetic alopecia found that Latanoprost significantly increased hair density (terminal and vellus hairs) at 24 weeks compared with baseline. A 2015 review concluded that the most promising alternative clinical uses of prostaglandin F2α analogs beyond the eyelashes include: androgenic alopecia; chemotherapy-induced alopecia; and alopecia areata.
Even over 20 years ago, a detailed 2002 study on stump-tailed macaques found that Latanoprost had a potent positive effect on hair growth. Note that Aneira Pharma is developing a hair loss product that will likely contain Latanoprost, Cyclosporine and Minoxidil.
Also, Dermaliq Therapeutics (US) is working on a topical Prostaglandin F2α analogue product for male pattern baldness. I covered the company in my post on increasing PGE2 and PGF2α for hair growth. On a related note, make sure to read my posts on PGD2 inhibition for hair growth.
Misplaced Skepticism
Most readers are skeptical about existing drugs such as Bimatoprost and Latanoprost doing much for scalp hair growth. However, in my opinion, we should welcome every new mechanism of targeting hair regrowth. Even if each one is “only” as effective as the tried and tested topical Minoxidil.
Some products might just make existing hair thicker rather than re-grow lost hair. However, this thicker scalp hair is then less easily destructible by the ravages of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Moreover, if we have many different alternatives to tackle hair loss, the chances are that each of us can find at least three products that cause him or her no side effects.
Ultimately, a cocktail of topical products could multiply the hair growth effect. A number of new companies that sell topical finasteride are also including Latanoprost as part of the ingredients. Delivery mechanisms continue to improve, resulting in superior product absorption and penetration into the scalp.
“in my opinion, we should welcome every new mechanism of targeting hair regrowth.”
I completely agree with you. Every body seems to respond differently to drugs. I was shocked when I found out Dutasteride did NOT give me side effects, but finasteride did. And some people should not take oral minoxidil, and others hate the itchiness of the topical product.
Aneira hasn’t had an update in 2 years – including their website, which has a 2-year outdated timeline. I’m guessing it isn’t going anywhere. I had high hopes for them when they got funding.
Just because a company doesnt give a sign of life doesnt mean it’s dead. For instance, Cosmo Pharma announced last week that phase 3 of Breezula (clascoterone) will start before the end of March. We hadn’t had heard from them for years.
Yes, the Breezula news was a great surprise.
https://www.hairlosscure2020.com/cassiopea-says-breezula-phase-ii-results-very-positive/
Exactly this. There’s many examples actually.
HopeMed, Tsuji, Fukuda, Plikus, Pelage. Some of them didn’t issue a statement for 3 years and more.
Marketing and communications is of minor interest to them – all of them don’t have a product (yet).
It’s just us lurkers who weigh every little letter which got changed.
Why not buy it online and start using it now?
Word I’m boutta do that.
Well, I didn’t find it online. Maybe it’s only prescription.
I’m already using it and the results after 11 months are, “so-so.” I go through HairgrowthMd.com. When I started last year, I was NW3. Still a NW 3, but the vertex and crown has seen a ton of terminal hair regrowth. The temples and thinning corners have seen some terminal hairs, mostly vilus hairs, nothing earth shattering. I’m clearly not a hyper responder up front. The ingredients in my bottle are: minoxidil 10%, Azelaic acid 1.5%, finasteride 0.1%, hydrocortisone 0.1%, progesterone 0.25%, tretinoin 0.025%, latanoprost 0.003%.
$250 for a 3 month supply of the gel formula. Goes on as a matte finish, not greasy at all.
Do we think we will ever find a cure?
If women don’t go bald (unless illness or old age) then there must be a way. The main target is DHT because it is virtually non-existent in female. Other than that there is no difference between male/female sclap except more subcutaneous fat for females. Men who transition to female early in life don’t go bald either. This is clearly an hormone problem.
Unfortunately, women also goes bald. 70 % of men and 50 % of women during their life.