Some medications, including vitamin A, antibiotics, and chemotherapy, can cause temporary hair loss. Others, including hormone therapy, may cause hair loss that is permanent.
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Hair loss, or alopecia, is a condition that may affect anyone.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there are many possible causes of hair loss. Some of these include:
- genetics
- aging
- hair hygiene
- chronic conditions, such as psoriasis and thyroid disease
- hormonal imbalances
Hair loss may also be a
Most of the time, however, drugs only cause temporary hair loss that goes away once you’ve adjusted to or stopped taking the medication.
Keep reading to learn more about which medications cause hair loss and how to treat it.
How do medications affect hair loss?
Medications may disrupt hair growth at different stages:
- Telogen effluvium is a short-term hair loss that occurs in the
resting phase of the hair follicle. Around 15% of the hair on your scalp is telogen. It’s the most common type of hair loss associated with taking medications. - Anagen effluvium is a long-term hair loss that occurs during the hair’s growing phase. Around 85% of the hair on your scalp is anagen. It’s mostly
associated with chemotherapy.
Excess doses of vitamin A and medications derived from it may
For instance, some acne medications derived from vitamin A, such as isotretinoin (Accutane), may
Interestingly, however, a combination of topical tretinoin and minoxidil may cause hair growth, but more research is needed.
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of vitamin A per day is
Monoclonal antibodies are a type of biologic that may cause temporary hair loss during the telogen phase.
The medications infliximab (Remicade) and dupilumab (Dupixent) may also cause alopecia areata, a condition in which your hair falls out in patches.
Antifungal medications are indicated for fungal infections, but some have been linked to short-term hair loss.
For instance, a
Anticoagulants are used to help thin the blood and prevent blood clots and other health concerns.
Some anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Jantoven) and heparin, may cause hair loss by affecting the anagen phase of the hair cycle. You may begin to notice hair loss within 2 to 4 months of starting these medications.
Statins are used to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels.
In rare cases, statins may cause hair loss.
Some immune-suppressing drugs used to treat autoimmune conditions may
- methotrexate
- leflunomide (Arava)
- etanercept (Enbrel)
A
According to the authors, the three anticonvulsants most commonly associated with hair loss were:
- valproic acid (Valproate)
- lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Some medications used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) may cause hair loss,
Beta-blockers may include:
- metoprolol (Lopressor)
- timolol (Blocadren)
- propranolol (Inderal and Inderal LA)
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- nadolol (Corgard)
You may experience hair loss if you take medications for depression.
A 2022 review found that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may cause noticeable hair loss after an average of 8.6 weeks. Some SSRIs may include:
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- fluvoxamine
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- citalopram (Celexa)
The authors note that stopping the SSRI causing hair loss led to hair recovery in 63% of cases.
Medications sometimes used for weight loss, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, are associated with hair loss, but the side effect isn’t often listed.
This is because dieters who experience hair loss may also have nutrient deficiencies. This could
According to the Arthritis Foundation, some disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) used to help treat rheumatoid arthritis may cause hair loss.
For instance, methotrexate may cause hair loss in up to 3% of people with RA. Another DMARD, leflunomide (Arava), may cause hair loss in up to 1 in 10 people.
Chemotherapy drugs used to treat certain types of cancer and autoimmune conditions may
These drugs are designed to destroy the fast-growing cancer cells in your body, but they also attack and destroy other cells that grow quickly, like the roots of your hair.
Regrowth will usually occur after chemotherapy treatments have ended.
Some medications may trigger hormone imbalances and changes, which may lead to hair loss.
For example, birth control pills used for contraception and hormone replacement therapies (HRT), like progesterone and estrogen, may cause hair loss. Sometimes, they could even lead to female pattern baldness.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may also cause hair loss, sometimes leading to male pattern baldness.
The use of anabolic steroids for muscle-building can also
The best way to treat hair loss from medications is to address the medication causing the problem.
However, don’t stop taking a drug until speaking with a healthcare professional, as doing so may lead to complications.
If you notice hair thinning or hair loss after starting a new medication or modified dosage, speak with a doctor. They could help modify your current treatment plan, such as by modifying the dosage or suggesting an alternative drug.
Other hair loss treatments are also available, including:
- natural remedies, such as essential oils, acupuncture, and scalp massage
- dietary changes, such as eating enough protein
- medications, such as minoxidil (Rogaine)
- hair transplant surgery
- laser therapy
Many people who undergo chemotherapy choose to proudly display their new look.
Remember, if you’re going through a tough health situation, you have every right to be proud of how you’re fighting it. It’s entirely up to you to decide the look you’re most comfortable with.
What drug makes your hair fall out?
Some drugs that may cause hair loss include antidepressants, monoclonal antibodies, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, and arthritis medications, among others.
How do you know if medication is causing hair loss?
It may take a few weeks before you start to notice hair loss from taking medications. This may include hair thinning or shedding, such as on your pillow or in the shower.
How can I stop my hair from falling out due to medication?
If you notice hair loss after starting a new medication, it’s important to work with a healthcare professional. They could help modify your treatment plan, such as changing the dosage or recommending an alternative medication.
What blood pressure medication causes hair loss?
A class of blood pressure medications known as beta-blockers may
In most cases, hair growth returns to its previous state once you’ve stopped taking a medication that causes hair loss. Adjusting the dosage may also ease symptoms of hair loss.
Remember, never stop taking a medication without discussing it with a doctor. There may be other options with fewer adverse side effects.