Medications Which Can Cause Hair Loss

Strong, healthy-looking hair helps anyone look better. So, it is no wonder that sudden hair loss is a cause for alarm and concern. Alopecia, or hair loss, can happen to men or women, and is often caused by poor nutrition and diet, illness, sudden weight loss, hormonal imbalances caused by childbirth, recent surgeries, stress, genetics, drugs and overuse of supplements. Medications can sometimes interrupt the normal scalp hair growth cycle and damage the hair follicles. Hair growth has four phases including the anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen phases spanning the growth of hair, resting period and hair fall leading to new hair growth.

Types of Hair Loss

Hair loss is the side effect of various types of medicine and is dependent on each individual’s metabolism and sensitivities. Drug users who ingest high doses of medication are more likely to experience the symptoms. Anagen effluvium is long-term scalp hair loss during the ‘new growth’ phase and mainly the side effect of chemotherapy. It includes the thinning of eyebrows, eyelashes and other body hair. Telogen effluvium is temporary hair loss occurring during the ‘resting’ phase and is a side effect of common prescriptions. New hair continues growing and stopping usage or altering the dosage of the drug can remedy the hair loss.

Related: What is the Difference Between Hair Loss Between Men and Women?

Medications That Can Cause Hair Loss

Some of the drugs that can cause hair loss are listed below:

• Anticoagulants which prevent blood clots like Warfarin
• Antifungal medications like Voriconazole
• Antibiotics can lower your Vitamin B and haemoglobin levels, thereby causing anemia and hair loss
• Anticonvulsants like Tridione which prevent seizures
• Antidepressants like Zoloft and Prozac where long-term usage lowers the haemoglobin level
• Immunosuppressants like Leflunomide used in conditions like Lupus
• High intake of vitamin A and its derived medication including Accutane and Retin-A.
• Blood pressure drugs like Tenormin
• Cholesterol reducing drugs like Lipitor
• Chemotherapy drugs kill all fast-growing cells including hair cells
• Gout medication like Lopurin
• Weight loss drugs like Phentermine
• Hormone therapies including birth control pills can even cause permanent pattern baldness in women. Women who have had a full hysterectomy or are post-menopausal may require hormone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy can cause permanent pattern baldness in men.

Remedies to Combat Hair Loss

Your primary care physician or dermatologist can recommend a scalp analysis or blood test to determine hormonal imbalances. FDA approved hair loss treatment options and non-surgical hair replacement options can also be extremely beneficial in helping you regain your confidence in your appearance and help you lead a normal, healthy life.

Don’t let the stress of losing your hair add to your stress. The best way to determine which hair loss solution is right for you is to meet privately with a professional hair restoration specialist near you. A typical consultation takes about an hour. We will contact you to schedule your private, no obligation consultation at a time that is most convenient for you.

Additional Reading:
https://www.healthline.com/health/medications-that-cause-hair-loss#medications-list
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326955#medications