18 Prescriptions That Cause Hair Loss

04/20/2022

18 Prescriptions That Cause Hair Loss

Medications & Drugs That Could Lead To Baldness

The Science Behind Hair Loss & Thinning

Hair loss is natural to some extent, but it can become a health concern if you lose hair excessively or at a rapid rate. The medical term for extreme hair loss is “alopecia.” There are two main types of alopecia: telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. Both conditions impact hair growth at different stages. People may experience hair loss for a variety of reasons, from genetics to health related issues. In fact, alopecia could even be a side effect of certain medications. Almost all prescriptions that are designed to treat medical conditions come with potential side effects. This is because all medications have the ability to compromise or affect another function in the body.

For example: some prescription drugs are toxic to hair follicles, which are essential for growth. If our hair follicles don’t work, we can’t regrow the hair we lose. A person who experiences alopecia while using a prescription medication has what is known as drug-induced hair loss. If you think you are experiencing drug-induced hair loss, you should visit the doctor who prescribed the medication as soon as possible. The doctor will perform several rounds of tests (including a scalp analysis, scalp biopsy, hair pull exam, & blood tests) to determine whether your hair loss is coming from a prescription or another cause.

Medications That May Make You Lose Your Hair

Many medications come with a risk of alopecia and hair loss for different reasons. Here are the types of prescriptions that may lead to premature hair thinning, hair loss, & balding:

Blood Thinners (Panwarfarin, Sofarin, Coumadin)
Gout Medications (Lopurin and Zyloprim)
Beta Blockers (Atenolol and Lopressor)
ACE Inhibitors (Capoten, Zestril, Prinivil)
Female Hormones (birth control, estrogen, progesterone)
Male Hormones (testosterone, anabolic steroids)
Antidepressants (Prozac, Asendin, Elavil, Paxil, Zoloft)
Anticonvulsants (Tridione and Depakote)
Acne Medication (Accutane)
Vitamin A
Antibiotics
Antifungals
Chemotherapy
Immunosuppressants
Thyroid Medication
Cholesterol Medication
Parkinson’s Medication
Weight Loss Drugs

These drugs could cause alopecia for several reasons. Primarily, prescription medications lead to changes in the body that can result in hair loss or thinning. And, of course, not everyone who uses these medications will experience hair loss. This will depend on an individual’s health conditions, genetics, habits, and more.

Hair Loss Prevention & Reversal Methods

While there is no specific way to necessarily prevent alopecia, there are ways to reverse hair loss and promote growth. Today, there are many medications and treatments (such as Rogaine and Propecia) available to help individuals regrow the hair that they lost. It may take several months for a hair growth medication to begin kicking in. Other hair growth treatment options include hair transplant surgery or laser therapy.

In some cases, the only way to reverse hair loss is to stop using a type of medication. However, you should not stop using a prescription medication without talking to your doctor first. If you are wondering whether or not a medication you take comes with a risk of hair loss, ask your doctor about the list of warnings. They will help you wean off of the drug if you decide to stop using it.