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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
If you’ve tried FDA-approved medications like finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss and haven’t seen improvements or have been experiencing side effects, you might be agonizing over what to do next. Is ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss an option?This topical antifungal medication is typically used to treat skin infections. However, there is also some evidence that it may help with hair loss due to conditions like androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness. But is this topical treatment actually effective? And does it have any notable side effects? Below, we outline what to know about this potential hair loss treatment alternative, including what the research says about its efficacy, how it works for hair loss, and more.Ketoconazole is a medication that treats a range of fungal infections. It belongs to a class of antifungal medications called imidazoles and works by slowing the growth of fungi that cause infection. However, because ketoconazole is an older antifungal medication, it’s not usually a first-line treatment. Instead, it is typically used when other treatments aren’t available or haven’t worked.You can get ketoconazole as an oral medication or as a topical medication in the form of a cream, foam, or shampoo. Weaker formulations are available over the counter, but you’ll need a prescription for stronger versions.Topical ketoconazole cream can treat issues such as:Tinea corporis (ringworm) Tinea cruris (jock itch)Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) Yeast infections Meanwhile, ketoconazole shampoo can treat: Tinea versicolor (a skin fungal infection) Seborrheic dermatitis (aka dandruff)Flaking, scaling, and itching on the scalpKetoconazole shampoo (offered under the brand name Nizoral®) is available in two strengths:1% or less ketoconazole shampoos: These products contain a weaker concentration of ketoconazole. You can buy them over the counter, usually as an anti-dandruff shampoo.2% ketoconazole shampoos: These medicated shampoos are only available by prescription and are usually used to treat fungal infections and seborrheic dermatitis.You can also find shampoos that combine ketoconazole with other ingredients, such as salicylic acid or pyrithione zinc. These are often formulated to treat problematic dandruff and other scalp conditions.A systematic review of seven ketoconazole studies (two animal studies and five human studies)
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