Study comparing topical Methotrexatel with topical steroids in alopecia areata

A Randomized comparative study of the efficacy of topical methotrexate gel 1% versus topical betamethasone diproprionate lotion in the treatment of localized alopecia areata - nil

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

CTRI

Registry ID

CTRI/2023/10/058818

Enrollment

Registered

2023-10-18

Start date

Unknown

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-11-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Health Condition 1: L639- Alopecia areata, unspecified

Interventions

Intervention1: methotrexate 1 % gel: topical application of methotrexate 1 % gel in localised patch of alopecia areata Given twice daily local application for twelve weeks or appearance for vellous ha

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Presence of five or fewer patches of alopecia areata, involving less than 40% scalp area 2. Stable disease without the appearance of a new patch or increase in the size of the existing patch for at least 15 days

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Presence of atypical patterns of alopecia areata eg: ophiasis 2. Patients who have received topical or oral treatment for alopecia areata in the past 1 month 3. Patients with any other coexisting hair disorder diagnosed based on clinical history and examination (viz., trichotillomania androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium) 4. Presence of any contraindication for topical corticosteroids (local skin infections, skin atrophy) or methotrexate; 5. Pregnant and lactating women 6. Unwilling to provide informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
To compare and study the efficacy of topical methotrexate 1% gel & topical betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% lotion in the treatment of alopecia areataTimepoint: number, size, site and shape of alopecia areata patch compared every 3 weeks at week 0, week 3, week 6, week 12 or until regrowth of short velours hair noticed on dermoscopy	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
To evaluate the safety & tolerability of topical betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% lotion in the treatment of alopecia areataTimepoint: Evaluation of adverse effect if present & tolerability noted at week 3, week 6, week 12 ;To evaluate the safety & tolerability of topical methotrexate 1% gel in the treatment of alopecia areataTimepoint: Evaluation of adverse effect if present & tolerability noted at week 3, week 6, week 12	—

Measure

Time frame

To evaluate the safety & tolerability of topical betamethasone diproprionate 0.05% lotion in the treatment of alopecia areataTimepoint: Evaluation of adverse effect if present & tolerability noted at week 3, week 6, week 12 ;To evaluate the safety & tolerability of topical methotrexate 1% gel in the treatment of alopecia areataTimepoint: Evaluation of adverse effect if present & tolerability noted at week 3, week 6, week 12

—

Countries

India

Contacts

Public ContactDr Amrit Malik

Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital

m.nijhawan12@gmail.com9314503401

Outcome results

None listed

Source: CTRI (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026