Extended-Release Oral Minoxidil Shows Rapid Onset Of Hair Growth In Female Androgenetic Alopecia

Jerry Shapiro, MD, has focused his dermatology practice almost entirely on hair loss for nearly 40 years, serving as director of the Hair and Scalp Disorders program and professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Health. With his hair loss expertise, Shapiro recently discussed phase 2 data on Veradermic’s VDPHL01, an oral extended-release minoxidil formulation being studied in women with androgenetic alopecia.¹ Shapiro highlighted the speed of visible improvement and the drug's safety profile relative to existing oral options.

Rapid Onset And Increased Hair Density

Shapiro said no currently available oral treatment produces visible improvement in female androgenetic alopecia within two months. He described gains in hair density and hair shaft width alongside the rapid response.

"There is nothing available that I can give a female who has androgenetic alopecia that will work within 2 months," Shapiro said. "Not only is it rapidity, but density is also extremely good.”

Non-Hormonal Mechanism Distinguishes VDPHL01 From Other Oral Options

Shapiro contrasted VDPHL01 with oral spironolactone, finasteride and bicalutamide, noting minoxidil carries no hormonal activity. He said hormonal oral options can disrupt menstrual cycles and cause the uterine lining to build up when periods stop. Shapiro added regulatory approval would give clinicians added confidence prescribing a therapy they consider safe for female patients.

"We're not going to have irregular periods, or periods can even stop in women who are on spironolactone," Shapiro said.

He also pointed to the side effect profile of spironolactone, an oral option some clinicians use off-label for female pattern hair loss. He said the drug can raise potassium levels and lower sodium levels, effects he does not see with VDPHL01.

"This drug hardly has any side effects," Shapiro said.

Extended-Release Delivery And Cardiac Safety

Shapiro linked the favorable safety profile to VDPHL01's extended-release delivery, designed to maintain steady blood levels rather than the high peaks seen with immediate-release oral minoxidil. He said minoxidil requires sulfation to become active, and a longer window in the bloodstream raises the likelihood of efficient conversion.²

"We're always worried about cardiotoxicity with immediate release, and this does not have any of that because it's slow release," Shapiro said.

He closed by noting immediate-release minoxidil clears the bloodstream within 2 to 4 hours, underscoring the value of a formulation built to sustain drug levels for a longer period.

References

1. Veradermics' oral VDPHL01 delivers positive Study '207' phase 2 clinical trial results in female pattern hair loss ahead of upcoming phase 2/3 Study '306' readout. News release. Veradermics. July 15, 2026. Accessed August 6, 2026. https://ir.veradermics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/veradermics-oral-vdphl01-delivers-positive-study-207-phase-2
2. Waldman R, Bunick CG, Bader K. Executive insights: extended-release oral minoxidil shows optimized pharmacokinetics and potential to enhance hair growth. Dermatology Times. March 19, 2026. Accessed August 6, 2026. https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/executive-insights-extended-release-oral-minoxidil-shows-optimized-pharmacokinetics-and-potential-to-enhance-hair-growth