Claims for Patent: 4,596,812

Summary for Patent: 4,596,812

Title:	Methods and solutions for treating male pattern alopecia
Abstract:	This invention relates to the method for treating the form of alopecia commonly known as "male pattern baldness" which comprises regular topical application to the affected areas of the human scalp of a composition containing as at least one of its active ingredients 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine. It also encompasses the aforesaid compound itself for use as a therapeutic agent to arrest and reverse male pattern alopecia.
Inventor(s):	Chidsey, III; Charles A. (Boulder, WY), Kahn; Guinter (Miami Beach, FL)
Assignee:	The Upjohn Company (Kalamazoo, MI)
Application Number:	06/181,959
Patent Claims:	1. A method of treating humans for alopecia which comprises topically applying to the human scalp an effective amount of a solution containing 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine and a solvent. 2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the said solution comprises 1% of 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine in dimethylacetamide. 3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said solution comprises 1% of 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine in equal parts of dimethylacetamide and ethyl alcohol. 4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said solution comprises 1/2% of 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine in equal parts of ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol. 5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said solution comprises 1% of 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine in equal parts of ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol. 6. The method as defined in claim 1 and wherein said solution comprises 2% of said 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine in equal parts of ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol. 7. The method as defined in claim 1 and wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethylacetamide, ethyl alcohol and propylene glycol. 8. The method as defined in claim 1 and wherein the concentration of 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine is 1/2% to 5%. 9. The method of arresting and reversing male pattern alopecia which comprises continued periodical topical application to the human scalp of a physiologically effective dose of 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine dissolved in a solvent. 10. The method as defined in claim 9 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol and dimethylacetamide. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the 6-amino-1,2-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2-imino-4-piperidinopyrimidine is present in the solution in an amount of 0.5% to 2.0%. 12. The invention of any one of claims 1-11 and wherein the method further comprises occlusion of the effective amount of the solution after application to the human scalp for a period of time sufficient to effect hair growth. 13. In a pharmaceutical composition containing minoxidil in solution, the improvement characterized by: a vehicle which adapts said composition for topical application to the human scalp for the treatment of alopecia, said minoxidil being dissolved in said composition in a concentration of from about 0.5% to about 5.0%. 14. A topical pharmaceutical solution for the treatment of alopecia consisting essentially of: (a) from about 0.5% to about 5.0% minoxidil of said solution, and (b) a vehicle which adapts said solution for topical application to the human scalp.