Drug Induced Hair Loss

This section outlines common medications that may lead to hair loss, offering insights for both healthcare professionals and consumers. It aims to inform on the potential side effects associated with various drugs, emphasizing the importance of awareness and discussion between patients and their healthcare providers regarding the management of drug-induced alopecia.

Introduction

Many commonly prescribed prescription drugs can cause temporary hair loss, trigger the onset of male and female pattern baldness, and even cause permanent hair loss. Note that the drugs listed here do not include those used in chemotherapy and radiation for cancer treatment. Your doctor may not mention hair loss as a side effect of some drugs, so don’t forget to do your own research and read the drug manufacturer’s complete warnings. Your pharmacist can provide you with this information even before you fill a prescription. Many pill and medication guidebooks (sold in bookstores and pharmacies) are also excellent sources of complete information about prescription drugs. If your doctor prescribes any of the following drugs, ask if one that does not have hair loss as a possible side effect can be substituted. The drugs are listed by category, according to the conditions they treat, then by brand name first, followed by the drug’s generic name in parentheses. In some categories, individual drugs are not listed. For these conditions, you will want to discuss the possibility of hair loss as a side effect of using any of the drugs that treat that particular condition, since many do contribute to hair loss.

“Every dose of medicine has its benefits and its risks. Like a double-edged sword, it can heal the wound when used wisely or deepen the cut when handled carelessly.” – Anonymous

Acne

All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other conditions, including:

Accutane (isotretinoin)

Cholesterol

Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including:

Atronid-S (clofibrate)
Lopid (gemfibrozil)

Depression

Antidepression drugs, including:
Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Janimine (imipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Tofranil PM (imipramine)
Adapin (doxepin)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil (trimipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Ventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavin (amitriptyline)
Endep (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pertofrane (desipramine)
Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Haldol ( haloperidol)

Heart

Many drugs prescribed for the heart, including those known as the beta blockers, which are also used to treat high blood pressure, and include:

Tenormin (atenolol)
Lopressor (metoprolol)
Corgard (nadolol)
Inderal and Inderal LA (propanolol)
Blocadren (timolol)

Hormonal Conditions

All hormone-containing drugs and drugs prescribed for hormone-related, reproductive, male-specific, and female-specific conditions and situations have the potential to cause hair loss, including:

Birth Control Pills
Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for women (estrogen or progesterone)
Male androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone
Anabolic steriods
Prednisone and other steroids

Parkinson’s Disease

Levadopa / L-dopa (dopar, larodopa)

Ulcer

Many of the drugs used to treat indigestion, stomach difficulties, and ulcers, including over-the-counter dosages and prescription dosages.

Tagamet (cimetidine)
Zantac (ranitidine)
Pepcid (famotidine)

Blood

Anticoagulants (blood thinners), including:

Panwarfin (warfarin sodium)
Sofarin (warfarin sodium)
Coumadin (warfarin sodium)
Heparin injections

Convulsions/ Epilepsy

Anticonvulsants, including:
Tridone (trimethadione)

Diet

Amphetamines

Fungus

Antifungals

Glaucoma

The beta-blocker drugs, including:
Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol)
Timoptic Ocudose (timolol)
Timoptic XC (timolol)

High Blood Pressure

See Above list of beta blockers under “Heart”

Inflammation

Many anti-inflammatory drugs, including those prescribed for localized pain, swelling and injury.

Arthritis drugs
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs including:
Naprosyn (naproxen)
Anaprox (naproxen)
Anaprox DS (naproxen)
Indocin (indomethacin)
Indocin SR (indomethacin)
Clinoril (sulindac)

An anti-inflammatory that is also used as a chemotherapy drug:

Methotrexate (MTX)
Rheumatex (methotrexate)
Folex (methotrexate)

Thyroid Disorders

Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid

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