Do Patients Receiving DPCP for Alopecia Areata Treatment Get Absorption into the Bloodsteam?

Do Patients Receiving DPCP Get Absorption into the Bloodsteam?

DPCP is a liquid chemical which is used as a topical treatment for alopecia areata. It's used in both children and adults with alopecia areata. One question that I’m often asked is whether DPCP gets absorbed into the body.

Does DPCP get absorbed?

In 1994, researchers from the UK set out to determine if DPCP is absorbed following topical application.  The researchers analyzed the blood and urine of 18 patients with alopecia areata who received approximately 0.5 mL of a 1 % DPCP solution. DPCP was not detected in any of the blood or urine samples.  These data suggest that DPCP is not absorbed following topical application onto the scalp.

Reference

Berth-Jones et al. Diphencyprone is not detectable in serum or urine following topical application. Acta Derm Venerol 1994; 74: 312-3.