{"id":55169,"date":"2022-09-28T07:37:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T05:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/minoxidil-false-werewolf-syndrome-babies\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T11:54:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:54:58","slug":"minoxidil-false-werewolf-syndrome-babies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/minoxidil-false-werewolf-syndrome-babies\/","title":{"rendered":"The false \u2018werewolf syndrome\u2019 in babies who were given minoxidil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In this article, we revisit the 2019 reports of almost 20 babies developing marked hypertrichosis after inadvertently receiving minoxidil as a result of a medication labelling error.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the summer of 2019, media reports emerged that 17 children had developed hypertrichosis, or excessive hair growth over the body, following an error involving medication prescribed to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A labelling error resulted in the children receiving minoxidil \u2014 a medicine used, among other indications, to treat certain forms of hair loss \u2014 instead of omeprazole, which is commonly used for acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the consequences of the medication error were understandably alarming for the affected families, there are several important medical distinctions to make.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Did the babies have \u2018werewolf syndrome\u2019?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Despite the terminology used in some headlines, the children <strong>did not have a congenital hypertrichosis syndrome<\/strong>.<br\/>Inherited forms of generalised hypertrichosis are extremely rare genetic disorders characterised by excessive hair growth in areas where this degree of hair would not normally be expected.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are not caused by exposure to minoxidil or another medicine.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The children involved in the 2019 incident therefore did not have a genetic \u2018werewolf syndrome\u2019; rather, they developed drug-induced hypertrichosis.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What did the babies actually have?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The affected children developed <strong>hypertrichosis<\/strong> caused by minoxidil exposure. Unlike inherited forms of hypertrichosis, this adverse effect is generally reversible after the medicine is discontinued. The excess hair growth therefore gradually reduced after exposure stopped, although the time required for complete resolution can vary. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What other effects could the affected children have experienced?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minoxidil is a potent vasodilator and, when taken systemically, can have cardiovascular effects. For this reason, the children required medical assessment and monitoring after the medication error. Potential systemic effects of oral minoxidil can include changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate and fluid retention. The risk depends on factors such as the dose received, duration of exposure and individual clinical circumstances. The fact that the medication had been <strong>discontinued<\/strong> was important, but medical follow-up was still appropriate to identify any complications associated with unintended systemic exposure.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Una empresa farmac\u00e9utica causa el S\u00cdNDROME del HOMBRE LOBO a 17 BEB\u00c9S\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WSvOyY8QxsE?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is minoxidil?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral antihypertensive medicine. It acts as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/es-es\/diseases-conditions\/high-blood-pressure\/in-depth\/high-blood-pressure-medication\/art-20048154#:~:text=Los%20vasodilatadores%20son%20medicamentos%20que,facilidad%20por%20los%20vasos%20sangu%C3%ADneos.\" rel=\"noopener\">vasodilator<\/a> and has historically been used in selected patients with severe or treatment-resistant hypertension. During its use for hypertension, increased hair growth was observed as a frequent adverse effect. This observation ultimately led to the development of topical and, subsequently, low-dose oral approaches to minoxidil for the treatment of certain forms of hair loss.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is minoxidil used to treat hair loss?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clinical observation showed that patients taking systemic minoxidil could develop increased hair growth and changes in hair density and thickness. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This led researchers to investigate whether the drug could be used therapeutically in patients with alopecia. Minoxidil is now an established treatment for androgenetic alopecia, although its precise mechanisms of action within the hair follicle are complex and are not explained solely by vasodilation. It appears to influence several processes involved in follicular activity and the hair growth cycle. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is minoxidil administered for hair loss?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minoxidil was initially used for hair loss mainly as a topical solution, commonly in concentrations such as 2% or 5%. Foam formulations are also available. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In recent years, low-dose oral minoxidil has increasingly been used in selected patients with different forms of hair loss. As <a href=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/dr-david-saceda\/\">Dr David Saceda<\/a> explains, doses used for hair disorders are substantially lower than those historically used for hypertension. The appropriate dose depends on factors such as the patient\u2019s sex, diagnosis, medical history and tolerance. Low-dose oral minoxidil can be effective in selected patients, but it remains a systemic medicine and therefore requires appropriate medical assessment and follow-up. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it normal for medicines to acquire new indications?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. The therapeutic use of a medicine can evolve when clinical observation or research identifies effects that may be useful in conditions other than the one for which it was originally developed. Minoxidil is one <strong>example<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other well-known examples include sildenafil, which was initially investigated for cardiovascular indications before being developed for erectile dysfunction, and finasteride, originally used for benign prostatic enlargement and subsequently also used to treat androgenetic alopecia. New indications require appropriate clinical research and evaluation of efficacy and safety for the specific condition being treated. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the advantages of oral minoxidil for hair loss?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For appropriately selected patients, oral minoxidil may offer several practical advantages.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It can simplify treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking a tablet may be easier for some patients than applying a topical solution once or twice daily. This can improve adherence in people who find topical treatment difficult or inconvenient. Oral administration also avoids variability related to how a topical product is applied. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It does not leave residue on the scalp or hair<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some patients dislike topical minoxidil because it can affect the feel or appearance of the hair. Others may develop scalp irritation, sometimes due to the vehicle or other ingredients in a topical formulation. Low-dose oral minoxidil avoids these local application-related problems and may therefore be considered in selected patients who do not tolerate topical treatment. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It may be considered in some patients receiving treatment for breast cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some treatments used for hormone-sensitive breast cancer, including selective oestrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors, can be associated with hair thinning in some patients. Because minoxidil does not exert its effect through antiandrogenic activity, it may be considered as part of the management of treatment-associated hair loss in appropriately selected patients. However, these cases require individual assessment and coordination with the patient\u2019s medical team.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It can be combined with other treatments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the diagnosis and individual patient, minoxidil may form part of a combined treatment plan. This may include other medicines used for androgenetic alopecia, such as finasteride or dutasteride, as well as other medical or procedural approaches when clinically indicated. The combination should always be selected by a dermatologist expert in hair disorders according to the diagnosis and the patient\u2019s medical circumstances.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"980\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/minoxidil-tratamiento-alopecia-01.jpg\" alt=\"Minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss\" class=\"wp-image-39280\" title=\"Minoxidil for the treatment of hair loss\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/minoxidil-tratamiento-alopecia-01.jpg 980w, https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/minoxidil-tratamiento-alopecia-01-480x245.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 980px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Side effects of minoxidil for hair loss<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The doses of oral minoxidil used for hair disorders are generally much lower than those used to treat hypertension. Nevertheless, it is still a systemic medicine and can cause adverse effects. One of the most characteristic is hypertrichosis, or increased hair growth in areas other than the scalp.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may involve areas such as the face, sideburns or arms and can be particularly troublesome for some patients. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other possible adverse effects include dizziness; low blood pressure; increased heart rate or palpitations; fluid retention or ankle swelling; and headache. The frequency and clinical importance of these effects depend partly on the dose and the individual patient. For this reason, oral minoxidil should be prescribed and monitored by a doctor familiar with its use in hair disorders. <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I start applying or taking minoxidil myself?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A medical assessment is advisable before starting treatment, particularly if oral minoxidil is being considered. A <a href=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/hair-disorders-unit\/\">dermatologist expert in hair disorders<\/a> should first establish the diagnosis and determine which treatment options are most appropriate. This assessment may take into account the type and severity of hair loss; its pattern and progression; previous treatments; other medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease; other medicines being taken; and findings from clinical examination, blood tests or digital trichoscopy, where indicated. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minoxidil has well-established efficacy in <a href=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/androgenetic-alopecia-specialists\/\">androgenetic alopecia<\/a> and may also be used in selected patients with other hair disorders. Its suitability depends on the specific diagnosis and should not be generalised to every form of alopecia.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oral minoxidil is generally avoided during pregnancy, and patients with relevant cardiovascular disease require individual medical assessment before it is considered.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/topical-and-oral-alopecia-treatment-specialists\/\">treatment of hair loss<\/a> often involves more than one therapeutic approach. The choice of treatment, dose and follow-up should therefore be determined by a dermatologist expert in hair disorders according to the individual diagnosis and clinical circumstances.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>In summary, the children affected in the 2019 medication error did not have a genetic \u2018werewolf syndrome\u2019. They developed drug-induced hypertrichosis after inadvertently receiving minoxidil, an adverse effect that is generally reversible once exposure to the medicine stops.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-divi-layout\">[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;0399be55-07e9-4778-8676-33277500c29f&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;92704f8c-a4af-4de2-89c5-b36fbfb93efe&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_toggle title=&#8221;Authorship and references&#8221; content_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Conmutador Blog&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.6&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;8290cd9a-135d-4f2a-add0-c89f836c0146&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<p>The content of this article has been prepared by the Grupo Pedro Ja\u00e9n Communications Department and Medical Team in accordance with our <a href=\"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/compromiso-editorial\/\" title=\"More information about our editorial commitment\">editorial commitment<\/a>, which ensures the accuracy and regular updating of the information provided.<\/p>\n<p>References:<\/p>\n<p>1. Va\u00f1\u00f3-Galv\u00e1n S, Camacho F. New Treatments for Hair Loss. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2017 Apr;108(3):221-228. doi: 10.1016\/j.ad.2016.11.010.   <\/p>\n<p>2. Jimenez-Cauhe J, Saceda-Corralo D, Rodrigues-Barata R, Hermosa-Gelbard A, Moreno-Arrones OM, Fernandez-Nieto D, Va\u00f1o-Galvan S. Effectiveness and safety of low-dose oral minoxidil in male androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Aug;81(2):648-649.  <\/p>\n<p>3. Jimenez-Cauhe J, Saceda-Corralo D, Rodrigues-Barata R, Moreno-Arrones OM, Ortega-Quijano D, Fernandez-Nieto D, Jaen-Olasolo P, Va\u00f1o-Galvan S. Safety of low-dose oral minoxidil treatment for hair loss. A systematic review and pooled-analysis of individual patient data. Dermatol Ther. 2020 Aug 5. doi: 10.1111\/dth.14106.    <\/p>\n<p>4. Garcia-Cruz D, Figuera LE, Cantu JM. Inherited hypertrichoses. Clin Genet. 2002 May;61(5):321-9. doi: 10.1034\/j.1399-0004.2002.610501.x. PMID: 12081714.<\/p>\n<p>5. Buch J, Ranganath P. Approach to inherited hypertrichosis: A brief review. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2021 Jan-Feb;88(1):11-21. doi: 10.25259\/IJDVL_629_20. PMID: 34379956.<\/p>[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We revisit the 2019 reports of hypertrichosis in almost 20 babies who were inadvertently given minoxidil following a medication labelling error.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hair-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55169"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":55170,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55169\/revisions\/55170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grupopedrojaen.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}