I was asked if I could provide a list of a drugs that can possibly trigger hair loss. I would like to start the list off with my current nemesis, Synthroid. Synthroid is a common medication that is prescribed to treat hypothroidism. Apparently it is a pretty common side effect to experience hair loss from it for those individuals who are sensitive to the medication. I’m sure there are plenty of women taking the drug with no adverse effects to their hair, but it should not be overlooked as a possible contributing factor to your hair loss. The listed “side effects” section on drugs.com it indicates that the hair loss is “usually temporary,” and the “special warnings” section indicates that “it is temporary,” well is it or isn’t it? Of the several doctors I’ve spoken with they have confirmed that it does cause hair loss in some individuals, and not the temporary kind, at least not until the problem with the medication is resolved. Just as a low thyroid (hyopthyroidism) can cause hair loss so can an overdose of the medication Synthroid. The following are signs of over stimulation:
Abdominal cramps, anxiety, changes in appetite, change in menstrual periods, chest pain, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, fever, flushing, hair loss, headache, heart attack or failure, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle weakness, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, weight loss.
You do not necessarily need to be experiencing all of these symptoms to have an overstimulated thyroid caused by your thyroid medication. I put it out there so that you can have this knowledge in case you begin to notice hair loss after starting the medication or having your dosage raised. That is another factor to keep in mind, if you have recently had your dose raised after years of being at a certain dosage level, it is possible that the increase in dosage was too much for you body. You should talk to your doctor or seek another opinion from an experienced and knowledgeable physician, an endocrinologist may be a good choice.
So without further ado here is the list of drugs that can possibly cause hair loss, also note this is not the complete comprehensive list, just the more common ones known.
From The American Hair Loss Association:
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.
Acne
All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other conditions, including:
- Accutane (isotretinoin)
Blood
Anticoagulants (blood thinners), including:
- Panwarfin (warfarin sodium)
- Sofarin (warfarin sodium)
- Coumadin (warfarin sodium)
- Heparin injections
Cholesterol
Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including:
- Atronid-S (clofibrate)
- Lopid (gemfibrozil)
Convulsions/ Epilepsy
- Anticonvulsants, including:
- Tridone (trimethadione)
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)
Diet
- Amphetamines
Fungus
- Antifungals
Glaucoma
The beta-blocker drugs, including:
- Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol)
- Timoptic Ocudose (timolol)
- Timoptic XC (timolol)
Gout
- Lopurin (allopurinol)
- Zyloprim (allopurinol)
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)
High Blood Pressure
See Above list of beta blockers under “Heart”
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
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)
Parkinson’s Disease
- Levadopa / L-dopa (dopar, larodopa)
Thyroid Disorders
- Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid
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)
***Every time I answer a question I like to let everyone know that I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice, what I write is only my opinion based on my own experience and research on the subject.
{ 293 comments… read them below or add one }
I didn’t realize Synthroid could cause hair loss. That’s crazy because if you have hypothyroidism you will probably be experiencing hair loss, which is why you would want to get your thyroid in check. I don’t see Armour on your list, so hopefully that one is safe for hair loss. I have borderline-hypothyroid, but I would be afraid to take medication for it at this point. I’m also on one of the meds on your list for TMJ. I was extremely afraid to take it, but my TMJ is excrutiating. I haven’t noticed a difference in my hair loss, other than it shedding a lot (like always).
The frustrating thing about medication is that if you search long enough on the internet you will find someone who had some adverse effect from it. Armour is no different, while I am entertaining the possibility of switching to that medication, I am well aware that I have also found posts online from people who experienced hair loss from it as well. What works for one person well can bring havoc on another. I see this all the time with discussions of birth control pills and hair loss and women trying to find out which they should take. Some women praise one pill and another says it ruined their life, we just have to figure out what our bodies can tolerate. We should come with some type of print out at birth that lists everything we should never take and the things that are okay, if that printout could also project our future height that would have saved me a whole lot of wishing and hoping through my teenage years, thinking I’d wake up 5’9 one day… I regret to inform you I’m only 5’3 🙂
Not listed in your “Drugs That Can Cause Hair Loss” are medications that treat Bipolar Disorder. Lithium is the predominately used drug for this disorder. I lost so much hair during the five months that I took it that my doctor had to take me off of it. I hope the hair will grow back – I am very concerned about it. My hair has also lost it’s luster and is dry and brittle.
Hi Tina,
How soon after you started taking Lithium did you notice the hair loss, was it immediate? Thanks for adding Lithium to the list of drugs that cause hair loss, its important to have that be known so that other women may realize that too can be what is causing their hair loss as well.
Is there anything that can be done about the hair loss caused by Vivactil? I take a low dosage to prevent migraines, and it helps immensely, but since I started taking it, I’ve lost a lot of hair. If my hair wasn’t so thick to begin with, I would probably be bald by now, but it is coming dangerously close to that. Is the hair loss temporary? Are there things I can do to prevent losing more hair or reverse the hair loss?
Hi Robin – Welcome to the site! I don’t have any personal experience with Vivactil, but if you feel that your hair loss has been caused by the usage of it, perhaps talk to your doctor about the possibility of using another drug to prevent your migraines.
I wish I had more intimate knowledge of the drug, unfortunately I don’t. In my opinion if the use of the drug is causing the hair loss then logically the cessation of it would possibly stop the shedding and your hair would restore. But anyone with hair loss knows there is no sure answer and logic has little to do with it. It is important you consult a knowledgeable doctor about you concerns.
I attempted to do a cursory search online about Vivactil and Hair Loss but didn’t have any luck finding anything that would be useful, all the more reason to talk to your doctor.
~Y
So far, I’ve mentioned it to three doctors, and they’ve all blown it off. All they say is “that can happen,” or “you have to stay on the medication.”
Unfortunately, I’ve been through a battery of preventive medications for the past 4 years that don’t work. Furthermore, they made me gain weight (most of which I’ve gotten off now that I’m off of them), made me fatigued, or made me feel like I was 90-years old. Vivactil, while it does cause dizziness and dry mouth, has been the only medication to reduce the number and severity of the migraines (I would get 11 a month, and now I get 4 or 5 a month- and they are easier to abort or manage).
The hair loss started with the start of Vivactil. I don’t know if there is any information available about whether the hair loss is temporary or not. Maybe the doctors themselves don’t know.
In terms of hair loss, my mother had very thick hair (as mine had always been), and it only fell out when she was on chemotherapy. After she completed chemo, her hair would grow back as thick as before – and she had been through it several times. Her brother (age 85) has a full head of hair, and her sister had a full head of hair till the end (in her 80’s).
My father is balding, but that didn’t start happening to him till he was 67. Some of it is natural, but some of it is also due to medications to treat cancer. His father had a full head of hair all his life. I’m not sure about his mother.
It could be genetic, but I’m 49 and all of the hair loss has only happened this year. While I am at the age where hair loss can be common, none of my relatives lost hair this young or this quickly.
I guess time will tell. I’m sort of half-tempted to shave it all off and start again from scratch.
Thanks for your input!
hi girls…..
ive been on yazmine for about 6 months , do you think i should get off… ive notice my hair is shedding agian, sodo you think is becasue of the yazmine… im also on spirodactone, and multi vaitamines, and biotin, and saw palmetto,also on rogain 5%.
gypsy
Citalopram caused my AT. My hair has started to grow back since coming off it, but unfortunately now, even though I am not on that medication I could relapse into my alopecia at any time.
gypsy – It’s hard for anyone to say whether or not you should get off of Yasmin. Choosing whether to go on or off medication is a very personal decision, and one you have to life with, which is why no one can really tell you want to do. I know that isn’t very helpful, but the best thing to do is to educate yourself as much as possible and then do what you “feel” is right.
Elle – I am happy to hear that your hair is growing back. I was unaware of the connection between medications and alopecia totalis, so I googled it to learn more about it, and as you said Citalopram has been linked to alopecia along with other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. I really wish that physicians were more educated on the possibility of hair loss as a side effect to the drugs they are prescribing. At least allowing the patient to make a fully aware, and informed decision about whether or not they want to take it. But it is good news about your regrowth!
i was put on yasmin because of my hair loss.
I did not see Lexapro on the list – does anyone know if it also can cause hairloss? My hairloss did seem to get worse when I was put on it a year ago – however, I also went off birth control 5 months prior to starting lexapro….
Did you find out if Lexapro was what caused your hair loss? I took Lexapro for a few years, and I too have noticed significant har loss. Please let me if you found out anything
Hi Alicia and Toni – I was searching online for information on Lexapro and hair loss and there is definitely very little information it, but I did find this forum where several people believe it was the cause of their hair loss:
http://www.steadyhealth.com/hair_loss_with_lexapro_t61357.html
This was what they wrote:
maring: I am writing in order to check if other people had such unpleasant experience with lexapro like I did. As if depression is not severe enough. I have been on lexapro for a couple of months and have experienced excess hair loss. You can not imagine how frustrating this is. I mean, lexapro is the only one to blame as I haven’t used any other drugs and I have no genetic predisposition for baldness.
Vivie: Besides hair loss but my periods very severely influenced by this drug. I had my period for 2 weeks once. The moment I went back to Wellbutrin the side effects were gone, so I suggest you switch.
Guest: ACCORDING TO MY DERM, DR., GYNO, AND PHARMACIST, LEXAPRO CAUSED MY HAIR LOSS. I’VE BEEN OFF OF LEXAPRO FOR 4 MONTHS AND IT HAS STOPPED COMING OUT IN CLUMPS–THANK GOD!
DEBBIE (34 YRS. OLD)
P.S. LEXAPRO WAS THE ONLY MED I HAD BEEN ON.
Guest: Definitely Hairloss! I have been on it for 5 months and have noticed a significant amount of hairloss. At 55 years old I don’t have much to spare! Guess I’ll switch to another SSI!
Thank you so much for that info! You know it is really frustrating to learn this after the fact! I am really saddened by the fact that I may have caused more damage than good by taking certain medications. I am finally going to an endocrinologist next week to check my “hormonal imbalances” to see if there is anything I can do to reverse the damage. Now, I know I am genetically predispostioned to hairloss, but not at the rate I have recently experienced. I hope I can get some answers.
I keep reading blog after blog on people experiencing hair loss from thyroid and other drugs, but in the past 5 years I have yet to read about anyone posting about products that may offer solutions or a means to reverse thyroid hair loss from these drugs.
It doesn’t help much to read the same complaints over and over, yet no one has researched enough to hopefully find something that might help. Since this is such a widespread problem, why aren’t people coming together to form class action lawsuit groups against some of these drug manufacturers. Talking about hair loss experienced from these damaging drugs doesn’t stop the hair loss. Why aren’t people petitioning respective authorities who might be in a position to actually be of some help to thousands of hair loss patients.
Why aren’t more people writing to “Oprah Winfrey” who certainly has the financial means and widespread influence to be of some help since recently being diagnosed with a Thyroid condition herself.
What I can tell you personally is that I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease 7 years ago. My hair was not falling out until I started taking Synthroid. Let me tell you this, the drug manufacturing label is a lie. The Hair loss stated on thyroid drug labels is not Temporary. I switched from Synthroid to Levothroid to the Unithroid which is supposedly FDA approved. Its been well over 7 years of a regulated thyroid and my hair has never grown back. It has only gotton worse as each year goes by. For a woman, this is one of the worse things to have to live with as a woman’s hair is supposed to be her crown and glory. If your hair is falling out from Thyroid Drugs, It will Not, Repeat not grow back and other than periods of small regrowth, the problem will only get worse!!!!!!
Complaints blogs are of little help. Its time to take Action!! Whats needed is a Class Action Lawsuit!
Kai,
Here’s something about a class action lawsuit. I found it on the web and I really don’t know if it is legitimate or not. It looks like it occurred in the 1990s.
http://www.synthroidclaims.com/notice.html#VII
I, too, have hair loss that I think is caused by my thyroid or my thyroid med. My doctor disagrees with me but he has only checked my TSH. I am planning on seeing another doctor soon. (I live in a small town and their is only 1 endroconologist here.)
Kathy
My email – Daffy11149@aol.com
I am so happy to have found this site! I would like to add that I was on cymbalta and experienced moderate hair loss. I attributed it to stress, but then realized that the hair loss started a few weeks after taking the cymbalta and I was not in a phase of acute stress as I had been 6 months previously when it would have made sense that the stress was the source of the hair loss. I stopped the cymbalta and after 3 months my hair loss has subsided. After doing some online research, I found a few other women had similar complaints. I discussed this with my doctor and he implied that hair loss was not listed under side effects in the PDA so it probably was not the cymbalta. I disagree! It may be a rarer side effect, but I am not the only woman who has experienced it…
I started Lipitor 10 mgs and Lotensin 10 mgs about 6 years ago. I was also taking HRT, a plant-based RX the name of which escapes me right now. I noticed the top of my hair thinning out so researched the HRT on Internet. Found it was a soy-based med and could cause hair loss. Long story short, discontinued HRT and had panel of thyroid tests done. Small nodule found but nothing overly bad. Was discharged from thyroid doc’s care after monitoring for 1 year, all TSH levels, etc normal range. Hair seemed to be fuller for a bit. That was not to last. In the past year, hair thinning all over and I have patches of no regrowth at all. Still on Lotensin and Lipitor which was increased to 20 mgs 2006. Ummm. Both, according to Internet research, can cause hair loss, thinning. I also color my hair with L’Oreal and have for 20 years.
Has anyone had hair loss with Lipitor and/or Lotensin? I am back to Square One and going to find a derm- anyone know a good one in Chicago? I am 61 and a gran but trust me, I do not wish to be bald anymore than you younger gals- this is a horrible experience!
Also, male baldness runs in my family but all the females hung onto their locks well into old age. My Mom had thick hair as do sibs………advice? Names of good docs? Help!!!!!
I take Metoprolol Succ ER (Toporol XL) my hair is thinning by the week. Of course the Dr’s don’t care and act like I’m a bother to them if I bring it up. I was switched from 1 beta-blocker to anoter 2 years ago but it has the exact same side affects. My Dr. must have thought I just wanted to switch beta-blockers but I’d really like to keep my hair. Does any one have any ideas for me?
Thank you,
Rome, GA.
Does anyone know if Wellbutrin can cause hair loss?
Hi Barbara,
I looked up wellbutrin and hair loss and noticed a number of sites online where individuals talk about the connection. I think when several people suspect it, there probably is something there. I am not sure if you have seen this link, but here is a site that talks about it: http://www.medications.com/se/wellbutrin/hair-loss
~Y
Hi There. I was wondering if anafranil causes hair loss. My psychiatrist said that it didn’t, as it was not listed as a side effect, but I totally disagree with him. After one week of being on anafranil, 50 mg., I noticed my hair was falling out; my hair would be everywhere and it has become extremely frustrating. My questions are if anafranil is causing my hair loss, would the hair loss stop over time while taking anafranil; is it possible to see side effects, like my hair loss, one week after being on anafranil? My hair loss is definitely from anafranil as that is the only recent medication that I have been put on. I am on wellbutrin and risperdal, and have been on for a few months and did not experience any hair loss/shedding until I started anafranil. Any answers to this dilemma would be greatly greatly appreciated. As I am sure you can imagine, I am sick about this. Which is more important, my mental health, or thinning and shedding hair? It is a hard decision.
Thank you very much!
Hi- I think many meds cause hair loss/thinning. I was on HRT but crown started thinning, went off that medication. Was on Lipitor and Lotensin at same time, finally dumped the Lipitor but not til 4 yrs later as cholesterol high. Hair kept thinning. Still on Lotensin but in the years from first noticing thinning, mainly on crown area, and today, have had batteries of tests and spent 1 yr with thyroid doc. All normal now. Moved to another city and hair just keeps GOING. Have seen derm and have scheduled scalp biop for next week. Reg doc said Lotensin known to casue hair loss so going to see if it can be switched. Am at wit’s end……….and starting to look like chef Mario Batalli…anyone have any help here or experience Lotensin-related hair loss?????? Derm put me on Loprox shampoo ($148 bucks a bottle!!!) which is nice stuff but certainly cannot afford that much money for shampoo!!! Is a wig the only answer? Anyone in Chicago know of hair loss specialists?
can Humilin for diabetics cause hair loss?
Thanks to forums like these, I was able to link my own hair loss to Wellbutrin. I will be forever grateful. After taking it for 4 months and loosing lots of hair I finally connected the Wellbutrin to the hair loss. I gradually stopped taking it over a two week period in an absolute panic. My doctor insisted that Wellbutrin was not the cause but I was sure it was.
I have never had a whole lot of hair. Mine is fine and thin and I have always been most careful with it. I was sick that after so much care, a med I was taking voluntarily was ruining what little hair I had.
My stylist recommended Nioxin hair products and taking Biotin (vitamin B). I followed his advice. It is now 5 months later and I have lots of new hair growth and fewer bald spots. I loved Wellbutin. It worked so well for me but I cannot live without my hair! Best of luck and I hope your hair will come back too.
I am taking Naturethroid for hypothyroid and I am 100% sure it causes my hair to come out en masse! It is so depressing — i was fighting back the tears tonight as I actually counted 153 hairs that came out in my comb after a shower. I think I will just have to suffer feeling tired w/ a slow thyroid rather than be bald.
I just started some viatamins specifically for hair growth (available at GNC) and I had also heard that Evening Primerose Oil is supposed to help. I am hopeful that it will come back. By all reasonable means, it really should, so here’s hope for all of us! I am thinking we don’t hear about people who are getting their hair back b/c they don’t come to this site after things are better. I will remember to let you all know!
Brandi – You hit the nail right on the head! I definitely KNOW for some women who start losing their hair that their hair loss journey is short lived and they moved on, and only have their hair loss experience as a faint nightmare of the past. Most women who have solved their hair loss probably most likely don’t stick around to talk more about it. I think that is pretty natural. I wish they would though so that other women could have them as a source of hope and inspiration.
I’m sorry you are going through a shed. What naturethyroid are you taking?
All The Best,
~Y
Brandi,
I’m on the ‘grow back’ for TE and was given Lexapro for scalp burning and numbness about a month ago. But I’ve noticed short hairs falling out about 2″ long. I have long hair and believe those short ones are hairs that were growing back! I NEED those little guys!
I can’t be positive but since the Lexapro is NOT doing anything for my scalp pain, I’m not taking them any more.
TE can be a one time thing and I believe mine was 100% stress that caused a ten pound weight loss in the same a month (and I do have an anxiety problem). It wasn’t smart of me to take an antidepressent since my system was trying to ‘normalize’ itself and new hair was filling in all over, slowly but surely. I should have left well enough, alone.
If all the hair is growing back, why does my scalp still feel so sensitive with burning like it did when the hair fell out in March? It keeps me from being happy about hair growing back.
PS. I’m glad I found the post by Alicia about Lexapro.
Brandi, I wish you the best and hope Primrose works for you.
~
Hi Brandi –
I’m confused about the Lexapro. I thought Lexapro was a medication for depression and anxiety, but you stated you used it for scalp burning. ??
About your little hairs falling out, that is VERY common even when hairs are growing back in, at least it has been my experience in the past. For women with AGA, it CAN mean that the life of the hair is shortening..not always, but it can be a reason. But you have TE, so that isn’t really applicable to you. I don’t know why, but I do know how frustrating it can be as you watch those little hairs fall out early and not reach full maturity. I even wrote a post called “Long Hairs Short Hairs, Keeping My Mind Strong.”
As far as the scalp pain that is another one of those enigmas. I have had it too, I can’t tell you why it happens and there really isn’t a whole lot of information about it online. Check out this post: Scalp Pain, Sensitivity, Burning and Hair Loss
I do realize none of that was of very much help, I wish I had more to offer .
Take Care.
Best,
~Y
anyone have a hair loss problem with serequel,
does premarin cause hair loss?
hi! this is my first time here. I have been diagnosed with alopecia areata, at first I was not worried because its located at the back below my head but now its as big as apple and becoming noticeable. Just today, I have found another bald patch forming on top of my head. This really frustrates me.I couldnt think of any reason why I had this BUT the drug I took last year, METATHIONE (reduced GLUTATHIONE), I didnt actually consumed all the 30 capsules because I get stomach upset after I take the medicine. Has anyone of you there taken any drugs with glutathione and now has alopecia? If I found out that this drug caused my alopecia, they will surely face me in court! HELP! ANYONE? (hu hu hu, sniff!)
Hi Y at Admin,
I’m taking Naturthroid, which is a version of Armour thyroid. It has the t3 in it as well as t4. It’s been almost six months and still shedding hair. I have about half the hair I used to have. I am seeing a specialist at the end of the month. I have a feeling he’ll tell me it’s due to hypothryoid, which I know is NOT the case. I’ve seen a direct correlation to the medication. So, if I’m told that, I’m out of options and will quit the meds and deal with being hypo, I guess. Still taking lots of vitamins, but haven’t noticed a change as of yet. Hair loss is a side effect of the meds, but I just don’t know if it will ever straighten out. Anyone else?
Brandi, I also am hypo. I am on Synthroid because Armour didn’t work for me. Too much T3. I might suggest looking into your other hormones. Are you having any other symptoms for possible hormone issues? I have also been taking Spironolactone. I started at just 50mg per day and now I am at 200mg. It has not stopped my hair loss. But it did clear up my skin. And I guess it works well for alot of women. I also got alot of information out of Dr. Geoffrey Redmond’s book It’s Your Hormones. I have to say. I went to see him in NY and we could not afford to, but I did (we live in kansas). The book gave me the same info he did at the visit. I am also seeing a Naturopath who is also a DO. My hair loss started after starting birth control two years ago and has never stopped completely.
Good luck.
Hey!
I’ve been on antibiotics for a skin infection for about 3 months now, and I’m just noticing my hair to be thinning.. COuld this be a result from this?
Doctors don’t seem to give a rap about this problem, but it is a major one for us women. About a month ago my hair started to fall out. I have always had a thick head of hair so this was very noticeable. I have been taking the same drugs for years so I can’t figure out what is different now. I am on blood pressure and cholesterol meds: Metotoprol, lisinopril, and lovastatin. Which would cause hair loss? And is the loss permanent?
Hi Admin,
from Blue1 Nov 11th 08
Thank you for the link to Long Hairs, Short Hairs. Yes! I know what you mean.
I think your reply #30 might have been for my post #29 regarding Brandi’s comment on women’s hair that grows back and they don’t let anyone know on the messageboard.
Anyway, I’ll explain – My doctor gave me Lexapro early in August 08 for the continuing scalp pain, tingling, numbness and sort of an itching and the feeling of having a bathing cap on my head but since my hair was growing back, he thought the scalp pain should have been gone and that Lexapro might help stop them.
Then I read a lot of comments here about Lexapro and some comments on other sites, too and decided it wasn’t working at all and could maybe interfere with the regrowth. He said I would feel a differnce in about 4-6 weeks. But I didn’t!
I can say however, that some regrowth has stayed in on the back of my head and sides. The hairs are finer strands..but I’ll take any kind. At least when the wind blows I don’t feel my scalp exposed completely!
I have an appointment at the end of this month and will tell him I stopped taking Lexapro. He’s been my doctor a long time and is interested and trying very hard to help me. I’ve taken numerous blood tests and they were all normal to good. But he ordered a more in depth blood test I will take next week before my appt.
When I asked in frustration how long this could go on, he said he believed the symptons will stop ‘spontaneously’. So, I’m going to believe him.
It’s been almost 10 months since all this started and I’m feeling low, nervous and sorry for myself because the pain reminds me continuously that my hair is a big mess! Sorry for that outburst! There are many worse things, I know.
PS. My fingernails have gotten very thin and two of them split down from the tips (ouch) which I filed down short. I want to try Biotin and will ask him if this might help my hair and nails.
I wish all of you the best and happy thriving follicles!
~
I thought I would let you know blue 1 that taking a simple hair and nail sup. helped my nails become stronger. I don’t think it helped my hair much but who knows. I also have had help with natural estrogen for the scalp pain. I got to a DO that is also into natural medicine. She had also mentioned the ridges being linked to needing estrogen. I think birth control may have started my hair loss so I might stay away from it. I use a compounded bio-identical form. You might talk to a Endo. about your hormonal levels. And also, everyone is different when it comes to what a normal test result number is for you. Especially your thyroid. good luck. By the way, keep the hair loss in perspective. I have been sad for two years. And then my husband was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. My hair no longer seems quite so important. Although it would still be nice to no longer worry about it also.
Thank you, J.
Those are good tips and a logical connection (hair and nails) that both manifest something’s lacking. My internist thought a Biotin supplement would be worth trying, so I will start taking it tomorrow.
At my doctor’s appt today, he went over the new blood tests. The only item out of wack with ‘normal’ was my globulin. He felt this could be related somehow and is sending me to an immunologist that might also have more knowledge about T.E. and might want more in depth thyroid tests. (I had a complete surgical hyster. at 28, have never taken hormones, no problems, lotsa hair…until this year.)
I did notice that after I take an ativan at night, the pain definitely subsides a lot and my scalp feels just numb, on top. That’s better than the burning feel.
I’m so anxious (a worrier) about so many things, it makes sense that this is so related to the kind of T.E. I have. But a tranqulizer isn’t a cure, just a short term relief, I have to remember.
PS. J- so very sorry about your husband and wish you both strength to deal with what you’re going through.
~
I have been on Synthroid for the better art of 40 years. I was recently switched to Levothyroxine the generic form and have had quite a bit of hair loss. I was told that this drug has caused other problens as well. I am thinking this could be the cause of my hair loss.
I recently started Effexor (venlafaxine) and my hair started falling out after one week. I know thats what it was since I was not on anything else and changed nothing else in my life and habbits. I was not under acute stress either. I might stop and see what happens. I wish there was something I could do to keep my hair and keep taking the Effexor, because it is realllllly helping with my anxiety and depression.
I’ve tried supplementing with Zinc but no luck.
That’ s interesting about Effexor because I just looked at this site this morning, searching for answers. I wondered if it could be the Effexor because that’s a newer med I’ve been taking…although I’ve been on it for several months now and my hair just recently started falling out?? I also have had body aches (especially at night) and they seemed to start around the time I got on it…but who really knows. I hate to get off it as well because it really helps with my PTSD (anxiety/panic attacks).
The only other med I started (for the body aches!!) just a couple weeks ago was Lyrica. Somewhat of a new medication and I know not a lot of people take it. They prescribe it mostly for fibromylgia I believe. Has anyone taken that and had hair loss problems?
Danielle,
I’m not sure about hair loss in relation to antibiotics but I can tell you from experience that prolonged use of antibiotics (and 3 mos. is prolonged) can casue other issues. Nothing horrific, just uncomfortable (okay, on-going, recurrent yeast infections). This is just a “heads up” so you can be aware, if you aren’t. The antibitotics kills the bad bacteria but also the good which is needed to stop the overgrowth of yeas. If the antibiotics are necessary for your infection, then you must take them. But I’d question your doc about this length of time. There’s many articles on doctor’s over-prescribing antibiotics.
If you do have this yeast issue, please post a comment and I can help you. I suffered with it for 3+ years and the pills and creams never helped…well, maybe for a week or two but they always came back. I had to do some other things and have not had once since!! Okay, I know this is about hair loss but this situation was incredibly frustrating to me so I wanted to let you know.
I have yeast infection in mouth and my bottom and now I suspect in my scalp as I am loosing a ton of hair and my scalp is itchy, no dandruff by the way,and I get small type bumps on scalp as well. My skin also gets very itchy especially at night. I have many health issues and on multi medications. w hat type of doctor should I see?
I have been on citalopram for over a year and have been on some form of SSRI for the last 10 years. I have been on adderall for the last 6 months. In the last month I have lost a ton of hair and it seems to be getting worse. For those of you who have taken medications known to cause hair loss, did it happen immediately after the start of the medication? If not, when did you notice?
Hi everyone,
A few months ago, I left a comment on this site and then threw out the possbility that many people come here looking for answers but after their problem is corrected, they don’t come back to tell everyone! So, here I am, giving you an update. I had SIGNIFICANT hair loss when I started levethroxine, then switched to Naturethroid (both for hypothyroid). It was very scary. Finally saw a specialist. He didn’t know why my hair was falling out (so glad I paid for THAT office visit!) The only thing he did was put my on the name brand Synthroid and had me wait it out — again. It has been almost a year since I’ve had the reaction and since swithing to synthroid name brand, taking biotin supplements and a special hair/nails vitamin (avail. at GNC), my hair loss has slowed waaay down and new hair is growing in. I don’t know if any or all of the combined attempts worked, or if it was just time adjusting, but I’m back to say there IS hope! Try giving your body ALL the nutrients you can via supplements and give yourself at least a year to see what happens. Very scary, I know! I also believe in the power of prayer, which is likely my real reason for the improvement!
Ok, so I am a new gal here.I am absolutely crushed , scared to death its like every time I shower, or brush my hair it just gets thinner and thinner.I am on atenolol,lisinopril,levothroid, and alprazolam….I’m reading above stories and it seems like the first three that I mentioned are of grave concern to others as well. I had repeatedly told my doc…I’m losing hair, geez I thought I was dying no lie. He checks my thyroid and says well its only off such a minor amount I cannot believe its even causing a problem. But even he should have checked the side affects as my primary care doctor, knowing the problem that I was having.When I asked the well known drug store why hair loss was not mentioned as a side affect on the paper print out that comes with each medicine I was told ‘well we’re not sure’…..not sure — I’m going bald here and you didn’t think it was a problem?That hair loss listed as a side affect was not important enough to list? I’m getting ahold of a personal injury attorney this week.This is gross negligence. If I had not looked this problem up on the interent myself I’d never have known. Its a very big company, I hope the attorney can add enough zeros to make this company aware of the fact that their oversite has caused me great anxiety and stress beyond belief. By the way does anyone know if I stop these meds if my hair will grow back?Right now I’m praying for a ‘yes’ on that question. There does need to be something done , in this fast paced world we live in we have enough to worry about without having to research the side affects of drugs that are being prescribed all over the place every day. This is ridiculous.When I found this site by accident , I almost cried…..the first thing I thought was answers, others who are going through the same thing….someone to talk to.I feel your stress , I love my hair….as I know we all do,maybe I’ll write to Oprah , maybe we all should. I will include this websire address so she can see how we are all being affected by this. Good luck to all and thanks in advance for any answers to my questions.
For Brandi and Judith: Brandi – I agree with you about the power of prayer, and trust me, I send lots of it up everyday!! I just don’t think God intended for women to lose their hair, esp when it is supposed to be our “crowning glory”. I think there are so many toxins in our environment, food, cosmetics, and not to mention any drugs we take. I am 58 years old, in excellent shape(everyone thinks I am 15 years younger than I am), and have never taken any drugs except for valium occasionally for benign positional vertigo that hits me out of the blue now and then. In the very depth of my soul, I think stress has played a major role in my hair loss. I went from a low stress teaching position to a very high stress teaching position and that is when it all started. Unfortunately, I had a few other stressful events and it seems I just can’t recover . . . that is why I am thinking that I may have gotten myself into the “chronic telegen effluvium” syndrome. I just wish that “stress” did not affect me so much!! I am trying very hard to conquer that one. I had really long, naturally curly hair, but now I have cut it to about two inches above my shoulders. Everyone loves it short . . . they just don’t know “why” I did it. I spend so much time trying to cover any scalp that may be showing. I have even used dark brown eyeshadow on a q-tip to cover the scalp areas. I teach school and see so many teens with super thin hair. They show a lot of scalp and don’t seemed to be bothered. However, a year ago you would have to DIG through my hair to see my scalp!! Everyday, I am thankful to my Maker for the hair I have and ask to keep it. I would be happy now just to keep what I have. I know someone mentioned hating to take showers and wash their hair . . . how well I know that feeling. I was counting how many hairs that came out when I combed it after a shower, but yesterday I decided not to do that anymore. It was almost like a word of wisdom. Stop counting what you have LOST . . . be thankful and focus on what you HAVE!!
To Judith: I agree with you. The big drug companies that our government helps support(oh yes, you know there are kickbacks) are causing us great harm. I dispise politicians . . . they are all in this together!! More $$$$$$$$. I totally believe in research for cures for things, but I have concluded that the drug companies don’t want us to know the cures because that means less $$ for them. I believe with all of my heart that there is a cure for cancer and everything else, including hair loss, but think about how much $$ they would lose if we all knew!! I believe there are natural cures for everything. If hormones are causing our hair loss, then why did our hormones get so out of whack??? When I read the Bible, I never read any stories about bald headed women!!!! So, duh??? There has to be an answer here. I think someone knows it, but doesn’t want to share it. Oh, and I am sure that someone will say well androgenetic hair loss cannot be helped . . . I have lived on this earth for 58 years and I have never seen so many women with hair loss issues. Perhaps someone will say that it is because, I never noticed until I had problems. However, I don’t agree with that, because I have always been a “hair person”. The one thing I always noticed about women is their hair . . . so I think I would have noticed “thinning hair”!! Okay, I will get off of my soap box now, but I am sending good vibes and prayers to all of you. It is against human nature for women to lose their hair!! Let’s all get together in agreement here and believe for an answer.
i finally resorted to calling my Dr.’s office , I was told he was just too busy right now and they tried to put me off for a few weeks.(Whats a few more weeks of hair loss….)jerks.So I told the receptionist that while I waited to see my busy Dr. I would be going cold turkey …off all medications while I awaited this important only to me obviously appointment, and that since I am the only living parent that if I ended up in the hospital, I was sure that my children could easily find a good attorney.Like magic I was given an appointment for the next day.Interesting to say the least.I go in and my Dr. basically chewed me out telling me that if I was more worried about the way my hair looked and would like to trade that off for a heart attack or death then he was unsure of what mt problem was. I said so I can have a healthy heart , but I have to be bald to do it? Well he says that is the trade offs in life , and they aren’t always fair. You are getting older and that is part of aging, we go bald.Sp get used to it.He really blew me off basically, I feel very alone right now.What the hell gives these drug companies the right to be allowed to do these types of things? And how are they getting away with it?Obviously nobody is listening to us. Can we not have our heath in a safe way with out the odd ball side effects. Oh and I also got yelled at for the state not paying Doctors for the services they provide, saying he’s going broke because of it. What a waste of time, I left crying of course.I did more research on the internet to see if I can help my hypothyroid by eating certain foods and avoiding others same for my high blood pressure, I’ll try to eat better lets see if this helps.Here’s to all the women out there suffering with no place to turn because , the only people who care are the women that are suffering with us.Conferences in all the major cities so we can all get to them would be great, we may be able to get a more accurate accounting of how many women are actually having this problem,there is after all strength in numbers? Just an idea.Maybe we could sign a petition to have this problem officially researched.Well I came and vented again.Sorry , but I am so glad to have someplace to talk about this. Peace to all.
After using for 3 months venlafaxina( efexor), I started to have loss of hair.
The important thing to tell is : the loss of hair began 12 days after I start a stronger dose> While I took 75 mg I had no problems. After start 150mg, I had this terrible problem with my hair. Important to say: the stronger dose do not make me feel better. I was feeling better with 75 mg, and with no collateral effects.
Now, I have made a research and I intend to try:Ludiomil(Maprotilina) Tolvon(Mianserina) Ixel (Milnaciprano) ., Prolift( reboxetina),Stablon(tianeptina). I woul like to know if somebody had loss of hair with this drugs.
Thank you.
56 yrs. been on variety of beta blockers(and 1 channel blocker) to control high blood pressure since age 45. Noticeable hair loss began around age 48 and has continued consistently. Is there an “alternatvive” approach to controling BP other than using drugs?
Lori
Hi Ladies,
I seem to be older than anyone else who has posted here, but I think this is a place for women to share and support each other honestly. Briefly, I had a closed head injury 33 yrs ago which resulted in migraines which have increased in severity and occurence. This problem, besides mostly ruining my life, caused or added other health problems: high blood pressure, depression (pain causes depression which causes pain…), arthritis, Sjogren’s Syndrome-immune deficiency disease; borderline diabetes–ad nauseum. Believe me, the medications I have taken and do take make up quite a list. I have always tried to find out everything I can about my ailments, medications, and their side effects, but it has only been in the last year that I noticed an increasing hair loss. I have always been proud of my hair, but no longer. I am fearful of the extent of loss. All I’m doing about it right now is research, and taking “hair vitamins”on the advice of my hair dresser. I’m frustrated with doctors’ attitudes.
But I noticed that someone here mentioned Oprah. I think that is a wonderful idea. I bet she could do a show or segment on women and hair loss. We could all start contacting her with this suggestion. Strength in numbers. She has the ability to gather experts, and do a program using a research team, and I suspect there is an epidemic of women suffering hair loss who would appreciate such information. What do you think? Any ideas? I know I appreciated reading everything you all had to say, and I don’t feel so alone. Keep sharing. Thanks, Barb
I take Lotensin (generic: Benazepril-HCTZ) one tablet daily. It wasn’t until my insurance company demanded that I take a generic, then, a generic of that generic that I started noticing my hair thinning. PANIC took over, and l, like the rest of you, have been doing research to see if my medication is causing my thinning hair. I do believe it is and I am considering getting off medicaiton all together and trying a more holistic method….diet and suppliments. Has anyone out there had good results by using holistic methods for BP and hair loss?
Ms M
I know the being afraid to wash my hair thing too well. I wash it once a month and I can get away with it because it is dark, a little dry I don’t sweat much and I live in a cold climate.
I have had some sleep problems over the years, anxiety, etc which I think triggered some hair loss. anyway, I worry about it, might go back on aldactone, trying to monitor situation.
I too hate washing my hair and have to do it every 2 days, not sure how it will be in the summer, may be more often. I am so stressed over my hair and am ready to start anti-depressants, but hate the thought of putting that into my body where something is not right at the moment because I am experiencing hair loss.
I have had a kidney transplant and take a variety of medications. I’m taking Coumadin for blood clots and feel like this is the drug that is causing my hair to fall out. Has anyone had any experience with hair loss on Coumadin?
My dad had hair loss from Coumadin.
I have been on a variety of thyroid medications for hypo-thyroid for 25 years. I love the weight gain, that I can’t seem to shed, and now the hair loss, which I shed very well! Not!
I am still researching options to get my hair back, because traditional things like hair replacement seem silly-if I’m losing hair because of my meds and I still have to take them for the rest of my life…well, won’t it just all fall out again?
Anyway, while I have not found anything to grow new hair (women’s Rogaine just made the hairs I do have brittle and break) I have been trying something my hairdresser recommended: Davines hair products. I have been using the EAL serum along with some of their shampoo and conditioner…I have noticed a dramatic lessening of the hair loss. Seriously. She told me some people do have regrowth of hair, but I have not experienced that so far. I have been using it for about 2 months. I’m just grateful to keep the hair I do have, at this point. If anyone has other suggestions, at this point I will try almost anything.
I heard Tagamet{cimeidine} can cause hair loss but can also create hair loss. Does anyone know anything about this?has anyone had hair fall from antacids? I have been on and off them for 2 years, and my hair has been falling out for that long. Everytime I think it is those pills, i stop using them, but then when my hair fall slows down, I think it wasn’t them and start again. I don’t know how long to stop before I’m sure if it is the pill. It seems like it starts up about 3 to 4 months after starting. But also takes 3 or 4 monts of big hair loss after i stop. I heard that it taks 2 to 4 months for your hair to fall out after something affects it. It is so confusing. I have Barrettes esophagus and doctors say, take the antacid or get cancer. Has anyone experienced their hair loss after taking nexium, pepcid tagamet etc? I hear tagametcan cause it, but also can help with hair loss. How can this be? PSI think the Oprah thing is perfect.
I am 26 years old and have started experiencing rapid hair loss I do not know what brought this on I am scared to wash my hair or brush it I used to straighten my hair evry 3rd day but I have stopped doing that, does any one know what I can take to help stop my hair from falling, I am currently taking multi vitamens,kelp and brewers yeast,I am desperate please help.
For the last two months I have been having hair loss big time. I just turned 70 and am on coversyl for blood pressure, periat for heartburn and fosmax for bone loss once a week. I take one calcium a day. In Nov I was hospitalized for pancreatitis and was on lots of antibiotics, Also had a shot of cortizone for foot pain two weeks before pancrea attack. Could that have something to do with hair loss. This is very upsetting and I did not know that there are thousands of us people out there having the same problem. HELP WE NEED HEEP.
Listen, Synthroid medication nearly took all of my hair out…I just took a blood test and the doctor’s office called stating that I have a mild case of hypothyroidism and he wants to start me on synthroid…I told them forget it..I took that medication before and it nearly took all of my hair out…I have been off the medication for about 3 years and all of my hair came back…They try to tell you that it is because of hypothyroidism that you lose hair but I started to lose my hair after taking that medication…It was heartbreaking. What else works? The endocrinologist tried to tell me maybe it was because of menopause..Yea right… I am going to look for some herbs for relief.
I have been losing my hair since 30 years of age, I take morphine,(mega dose 260mg daily) xanax, cymbalta (Mega Dose, 180mg) trazodone (150mg), robaxin Muscle relaxer (2,250 mg a day), zocar, (high chlestrol) I’ve just been taken off seroquel (500mg) and effexor. My primary care Doc wrote an Rx for folcaps, this is folic acid and b12, did’nt help. My hair loss started before all these meds though, I have just ordered a wig, can’t afford Bosley. Can you tell me anything that will help, my hair will not even cover the crown of my head, I don’t perm, or dye my hair. Iam 57 years old. Please help
Wow!
I feel totally amazed by problems experienced by so many of us who need to take perscription drugs.
I’m a youthful 73; have survived anal cancer and the side effect of treatment.
Anxiety and depression have been a concern since my 40s. I have just tried the 3rd anti depression drug recommended, Lexapro. God! One tablet and I was in for 12 hours of non-stop diarrhea: finally passsed out. That damn tablet should be taken off the market! Don’t know if it would have caused hair loss :).
Relate to all of you who have heard…you are just aging, trade off stuff, etc.
Now am taking clonazepam to control anxiety. Hair loss is at the end of side effects, but I think it would be unwise to discontinue before I have another fix in place.
Was hair loss the only thing noticed by those of you on effexor? I broke out in horrible disfiguring red acne-like bumps…so bad I hated going to Starbucks with daughter.
Bottom line: I think my cancer is in remission and am seeing a therapist and nutritionist @ M.D. Anderson here in Orlando. Will ease into the vitamin regimine she suggested.
Oprah is the best solution I’ve heard. She has the power and visability to take on the docs and drug companies who think we don’t care if we go bald if drug helps whatever disorder you have.
BTW: I put on 50 lbs on antidepressant therapy. Another small side effect that docs don’t like to discuss. Finally, how many of you have heard “that is a very rare side effect” when you call doc to complain :)?
Ann
Oh my goodness…I can’t believe how many of us there are. I’m currently taking Topamax, Zoloft and Nexium. I switched from Lithium to Topamax because of the weight gain (40+) and constant lethargy. My hair is falling out faster than ever. I’m 48 and ready to lose it! Isn’t it bad enough to suffer from conditions or diseases that make us dependant on medications? To ignore a side effect like hair loss that obviously will cause excess stress is outrageous and negligent. It wasn’t until this past month that I starting tearing up when washing my hair in the shower. I have relatives that lived into their 80’s with little hair loss. How can this be?
I find that male doctors are not as empathetic as female doctors. My dermatologist who treats my hair loss just tells me “nobody will notice”. Yeah, right. They already have! My female gynechologist, though, is totally empathetic about this situation. She’s the one who originally told me that if I start taking spirolactone, this can help – especially around the frontal bang area. I do believe it helps, but my doctor only prescribes 100 mg a day, while I see others on this site all take 200 mg. a day. I’m going to inquire about that with my doctor.
Oh, I have written to Oprah a couple of times already, with no response. I do think if they hear from lots of women about hair loss problems, they will look into this for all of us! I also wrote to “The View”. I love that show, and I know Sherri wears wigs, and also Joy has a hairpiece supposedly she wears as a topper, I believe. I don’t know if she has any hair loss, but it may just be for added fullness. Either way, I’m interesed. I’ll write agains today.
I totally sympathize with all the others on this site who share this common and HUGE problem. It needs to be addressed by some high profile celebrities and I’ll bet we see some progress.
Take care everybody. We are not alone.
Thanks for all the info. I have always had thick curly hair but since going on to Zantac and candesartan cilexetol my hair has been falling out. Cardiologist put me on to a beta blocker which I discontinued after reading the side effects. Hard to know what to do for the best
I have been on Atenolol for awhile now. Have noticed my hair thinning also for ahwile now. I’m 56 and in the throes of menopause. I am very distraught and feeling ashamed and embarrassed because you can see my scalp on top-front of my head. I always had kind of thin hair, but my hairdresser always said I had a lot of it. But not now. So I start looking up thinning hair on the internet and I found out alot. If you have too much testosterone, it can increase levels in androgen which causes hair loss. I tell this to my gynegologist and she tells me, “If I test your hormones, it’s going to tell me you are in menopause, and we already know that!” I switched to a female doctor because I thought she might have more info and more empathy. Well needless to say, I’m not going back to her. I also found out that Atenolol, which I take for blood pressure can cause hair loss. So now I have an apt. with my MD. I’m going to ask him to take me off Atenolol and put me on something else. I’m on my way to Target to buy a straw hat because I’m going to a Bar-B-Q tomorrow and I just can’t bear for anyone to look at my hair. I so relate to all of you women out there. If only these doctors cared more about what medications they are handing out, maybe we’d be more aware of what we’re putting in our bodies. I look in the mirror and cry everyday. I know there are much worse things, trust me I know. My daughter was addicted to heroin for awhile there, but she is clean & sober for over a year now, thank God. So I know there are greater battles to overcome, but I’m dealing with this right now. I pray for all you gals and if I come up with any solutions, I will definately be back to let you all know.
HANG IN THERE!!!!!
i am taking acai elite, is it cause to hair loss?
Four years ago, I acquired a pacemaker; warfarin is my particular rat poison and will be for the rest of my life. I am 77 this year (2009). My once thick hair is now thinning. Has anyone had success in reversing this trend? And how?
can you color or perm hair while taking coumadin ( a blood thinner to prevent blood clots)?
Yes you can dye your hair if taking Coumadin. I am on blood thinner for life and dye my hair.
I’m suffering from rapid hair loss after taking Advair, and Singulair for a couple of months. I’ve also been on Adderall for a year now. I believe the Advair was the culprit, but who knows. My hair just keeps coming out with every shower. Oprah and Dr. Oz seem to be our only hope of getting some answers to why it’s happening, and what we can do!! I think we should all FLOOD their websites with requests, and questions. If they keep seeing interest in this problem, maybe they will investigate the issue, and do a show for us. I know that I want answers!!!!
I’m currently on singular and Zyrtec. I’m having an awful time with hair loss. It seems like you are taking singular too. I’m going to go off these drugs and see if it makes a difference. If you Google it up it doesn’t mention hair loss for those 2 drugs.
lots of hair loss…taking coumadin for 6 months; don’t much care any longer to
continue coumadin….depressed to the degree that if I die by not taking coumadin…………so I die.
So glad to have found a place to vent and to find others who empathize. Big pharma, insurance, and male doctors sure don’t, and most docs don’t have a clue what causes it or what to do about it, so they just brush us off – heck, we’re only women anyway, and if we’re of a certain age(45+), we shouldn’t expect to look or feel good anymore. If it were a big problem for a lot of men(like erectile dysfunction), you bet they’d be upset and there’d be lots of research into it!
On levothyroxine for a decade or more, Topamax for migraines since 2003, and have taken antidepressants since 1992 (Pamelor, then Zoloft, then Effexor XR, now Cymbalta since 2004). Hair loss started with hypothyroidism but meds seemed to slow it down. High doses of Topamax made my hair brittle, tangled so I couldn’t get a comb or brush through it, and breaking. Reduced dose and used Neutrogena Anti-residue shampoo, and hair gradually regained its normal texture, but still breaks easily and I can’t color or perm it. Hair has always been fine, but I used to have plenty. Now it’s very thin on the sides over my ears and thinner on top. I dread washing because of all the hair that comes out, and there are always loose hairs dangling. Worrying about it all the time. Dr. increased thryoid meds last Aug – Dec, but it was reduced back to old level in Dec. I’m wondering if some loss is due to overdose of meds last fall. Would it still be going on after 8 months of correction? Is Topamax partly to blame? What about Cymbalta? I hadn’t thought about it as the culprit but now after reading a couple of other postings, it may be. Is it TE, a reaction to prolonged stress? (high stress job, then quit, divorce and relocation over past 2 years; shingles, melanoma, rotator cuff and meniscus injuries last year, plus death in family) When I bring it up to doctors, they usually just sort of look blank and shrug, like it’s too trivial for them to bother with. Dermatologist recommended men’s Rogaine, said women’s is too weak to do any good. But I don’t want to have to use it for the rest of my life. I’d like to find the cause and address it that way, but when drs don’t seem to care it’s so hard to figure anything out. For those of you who have had little or no empathy or cooperation from your medical people, or even got chewed out, you shouldn’ t have to put up with that – change doctors and let them know why, if your insurance situation will allow it. (and hope some real medical insurance reform comes to us all soon).
I agree that we should flood Oprah and Dr. Oz with pleas for help. And please, any of you who find anwers and remedies, do share with the rest of us. We’re feeling so frustrated and discouraged, it would be great to hear of some successes and some things we could try that might work for us.
I am only 15 years old and i have been experienceing hair loss for about the last 6 monthes, from what i remember. But for the past 3 monthes it has been worse than usual. My hair falls out in full strands, not little peices. It has not got to the point that i have bald spots but i could happen. When i take showers i lose an incredible amount of hair. I have not been to the doctors yet for it because i have been told to get more fiber and iron in my diet and see if there are any positive changes. So far… NOTHING. I have also been experienceing loss of sleep, depression, loss of appetite, irritability, ect.. In April i got Adderal (medication for ADD) from my doctor.
* Does that certain medication cause hair loss??
Please give me some answers and advice.
Well, I am 45 years old and I have noticed the beginning of my hair thinning since I was 30 years old. There is no baldness in our Family ( I have checked out all family pictures) and I have had very thick hair before then.
I absolutely believe the problem of our thinning hair is not only due to the Hormones in our Water but our Food as well. I have been researching reasons for my hair loss for about 4 years now. I started out with not using bottled water because I knew that Plastics were Poisonous. I try to put all my food stuffs in glass containers. I do not put anything in saran wrap.
But I was still getting pimples (tons of them) on my scalp as well as a burning sensation along with hair loss. I was reading that perhaps the Sodium Lauryl sulfate might be an irritant so I switched to Aubrey organics. Didn’t really help. Then I thought it might be the Chlorine – so I set aside a pail of water to allow the Chlorine to escape. I did that for about a month. Didn’t work. I eliminated all fast food and Dairy and found local farmers who I could buy Hormone free Beef from. Didn’t eat much pork or chicken because I didn’t find any local farmers – but I did find someone who sold free range cage free eggs. Ate tons of fresh fruits and veggies. Still no change !! Then I read that the Feed that they give animals are full of the Hormones and antibiotics that obviously I could not get around. Also I have read many articles about the amount of Hormones and chemicals that are in our water that are not filtered because of the huge expense it would be to remove Pharmeucticals and runoff from Farm land as well as the chemicals from the Plants that spew pollution. So basically what I am getting to is, IF you can afford a Reverse Osmosis Unit or Distiller, then it would be a good idea to purchase it. Unfortunately I don’t have the money to buy one and I believe that is why I now have Cancer – I live downstream from Detroit (in Windsor On, Canada) and have been told we have the highest rate of Cancer. All of your food should be cooked in that water as well if you could find local farmers who do not inject their animals with Hormones it would be better for you. If I could grow my own food and raise my own animals as well as drink purified water then I believe that combination would be the best. Unfortunately IF you are taking meds that make your hair fall out then you’re kinda stuck. Big Pharma will NEVER allow these drugs to be banned – we are nothing but guinea pigs to them and they make tooooo much money off of them.
I am new to this site. I have always had fine, thin hair, but it is thinner now. I am 56 yrs young. I take seroquel and prometrium, does anyone have any comments on these? Ever since menopause my hair has become very dry, lifeless. My scalp show thru everywhere. I think this is very devastating to all of us. I find myself looking at everyones hair. I have two grown kids, they have good hair, I also have a 12 yr old, she has good hair. Unfortunately, I have my mothers hair. I am embarrased by my thin hair and don’t want to go anywhere. I had a very bad haircut two weeks ago and it just made my thin hair look worse. Does anybody know what hairstyle will make our thin hair look better. My hairdresser cut so many layers in my little hair that I have more trouble trying to cover my crown area. My shortest layers are above eye level. Would appreciate any advice
I’ve been on prozac, lamictal (still on but weaning off of now), serequel, cymbalta and the worst of them all depakote. I’m still losing my hair after going off all but the lamictal. On a side note, depakote causes hair loss too. NEVER take depakote, they put me on it for bipolar disorder I gained 100lbs in 4 months, my underarms turned gray and can’t be fixed, and I started having seizures on top of the hair loss, I was 14. I’m disappointed to find out that all but one of the medications I was on cause hair loss. The only one not associated with hair loss is lamictal. I think almost every medication out there can cause hair loss. I’m upset to hear that my birth control causes hair loss, guess I’m going off that too. I’ll be drug free for the first time in 7 years soon. Hope my hair will grow back.
Does anyone know if SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-methionine) causes hair loss? I am considering taking it for my arthritis as there have been some good results w/this — but don’t want to aggravate my hair loss.
Thanks!
aer
I can tell you from experience because it happened to me, that the medication called metoprolol, given to control high blood pressure, will not only make your hair fall out, it will also kill you! I am off it now because of serious side effects but continue to lose my hair, even my eyebrows! The doctor did not tell me about these possibilities! I found out on my own by going online, and went back to the doctor and told him Iwould /could not take this anymore. In my opinion metoprolol should be taken off the market.
Hi, can someone tell me if it has been confirmed that Prilosec causes hair loss?
I recently had an ulcer and was on prilosec until the ulcer healed. I have never experienced any hair loss. I lost alot of my hair while on prilosec… I noticed thinning and alot of shedding… Has this ever happened to anyone else?
Thanks!
My hair has been falling out for six months and I have had every type of test you can imagine. I am on bioidentical hormones and Armour Throid as well as Prozac. My hair started to fall out before I started any of the above. The hair loss has became worse over the last month. Dermatologist says it’s TE from several surgeries. I think it’s something else and we can’t seem to figure it out. Many people have their hair loss stop after they receive thyroid tx. Mine has not and my levels are normal now. I am 44 years old. I’m slowly going off of Prozac to see if that helps.
Hi, I did not find wellbutrin on your list of meds that can cause hair loss. I am a 38 year old female and have been on Wellbutrin for over 6 months. I have noticed that for the past few months I have been losing ALOT of hair. These are full strands. I am afraid to wash or even brush my hair because of the amount of hair I find in the tub and on my brush. I only take the Wellbutrin and a multi-vitamin on a daily basis.
Can someone shed some info?
I have started with hair loss too. It is devastating! I’m on several of the drugs others on this forum are saying cause their hair loss. I’m going to discuss this with my Doctor. If I can change any of the meds I’m on I will do so. I’m dealing with very high unrelenting stress, which some of you report. I have some of the deficiencies mentioned as possible causes. This is going to take some work, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this and try to get my hair back. I will pass along what I learn and what works.
Taylor, Welbutrin does cause hair loss in some people.
I am 28 and have been on Topamax for about a year. Before taking the Topamax I had horrible migraines that often put me in the ER several times a month. Since then my thick head of hair is filling the shower drain. We actually had to call someone to come snake our shower drain about six months into me taking the medication because the hair catcher was not catching all my hair and it stopped the drain up- the guy only found a giant clump of hair. I get a clump of hair out everytime I wash it. I am now washing my hair every third day. It used to be almost so oily I would want to wash it twice a day, but is now dry and brittle and breaks with the slightest pressure. Also my hair seems to have almost stopped growing any longer. I cut my hair to right below my shoulders six months ago, and it has not grown much since then. I was looking at photos from a year ago, and was shocked to see how rapidly my hair used to grow. I have thought about trying to downsize my dose to see if that helps- just do not want to end up bald.
Oh my dear friends! I cannot tell you how completely distressed I am about my hair “shedding” (some how it is more comforting to say than “hair loss”). For the last 6 months my hair has been falling out at an alarming rate. I started noticing it in the shower and also noticed more hair in my brushes. These hairs, unlike my previous healthy hair days, were loosely collecting in the brush. A slight tug on one of the many hairs would easily dislodge it from the brush. Whereas before, I had to use another comb or utensil just to clean my brushes because of the tight nit carpet of hair that remained in the brush. Also my hair has “miniaturized”- the majority of my long hairs is much thinner in diameter and really has hardly any substance at all (very “cob-web like”). After showering I have to spend 30-45 minutes detangling the mass of knots and tangles that my few remaining hairs have somehow formed. And this is after 2 conditioning regiments and a thorough dousing of leave in conditioner. For the past few months I have been ecstatic about a halo of what I thought was regrowth…and now these too are beginning to fall out. I am totally devastated! I have always been known for my long thick blond hair. In the past my hair was very fine but I had very many of them. My friends were always amazed at how long it took me to dry them… now by the time I switch on the hair dryer my hair is nearly dry. I have been to the doctor on 2 occasions and all blood work was normal. I just finished my first semester of law school, and although it was quite stressful, I do not think that it is capable of shocking my system to the extreme of losing 50% + of my hair. M.D. told me to increase my caloric intake and protein and having gained 10 pounds and drinking Ensures like nobody’s business…the hair loss continues. I had to quit my job since I am in the full time department at law school, and no longer am able to afford birth control (Yaz) that I have been on for nearly 10 years. I thought perhaps the discontinuation of the bc could be the culprit, but in all honesty I have never taken them as responsibly as I should have ( forgetting a pill, or 2, or 5 here and there…I know, it’s awful). My lackadaisical bc routine resulted in a pregnancy in September of 08, which I lost in the 9th week. Could this have an affect on losing my hair now? Please, I have read every pertinent blog and website on hair loss and am still at a loss. Everything I have read seems to point to a thyroid problem, but I have had them checked twice and both tests came back normal. Is it possible these tests were inconclusive or incorrect? Why are my precious darling new little hairs leaving me so soon? Why are some of them abnormally dark (very dark brown)?
I have been taking a statin drug to lower cholesterol for several years and have noticed hair loss and dry, dull , lifeless hair for awhile now. I asked my doctor if I could take something else and she said nothing else works as well at controlling cholesterol. Is this true? She didn’t seem to be willing to do any research for me on this so I guess I’m on my own!
I have seen several posts about acid reducers and whether or not they cause hair loss. I have diffuse thinning and all tests were “normal”. No family history of hair loss on either side. Finally found a dermatologist/endocrinologist who has been so supportive. After one discussion with him, sharing the fact that I arthritis and have taken ibuprofen for years and then acid reducers because of the stomach problems, he said “bingo – top of the list”. Ibuprofen and most otc acid reducers cause hair loss! I called several pharmacists and none of them were aware of this and couldn’t find any information that confirmed it. My derm. said to immediately quit taking both drugs. He said I should notice a difference in 12 weeks. Waiting to see what happens…..
Hi,myname is maria and I don’t have a comment but I do have a question.
I’ve been taking fluoxetine the generic for prozac for about 3 years now and I recently have been treated for bacteria overgrowth of the colon and was perscribed all types of antibiotics for about 4 months and a probiotic. I never had hair loss with prozac but started to get hair loss a lilttle before I started to take the antibiotics and probiotic but after thinking about it it got way worse after taking them. What do u think it could be? Can antibiotics and probiotics cause hair loss or can being on prozac for 3 years cause hair loss. Thanks
Hi, I;ve been on Effexor 150mg for quite some time now and have only recently made the connection that it may the cause of my hair loss. It started +- 4 years ago, right about the time the dr prescribed Effexor for anxiety. I am weaning myself of this drug at the moment and went from 150mg to 75mg. Have been on 75mg for past week and I counteract withdrawal sumptoms with strenuous exercise, calcium/mag, melatonin and prayer.
I’ve read the posts of other ladies having experienced Effexor induced hair loss. I would however very much like to hear whether they had any success in regrowing their hair. Thank you.
Hi all.. I too have the same issues. I have hypothyroidism and take L-Thyroxine (generic Synthroid) and yasmin. I had been experiencing steady hair loss for about 3 years, and recently had surgery to remove a ganglion cyst on my left wrist. All of a sudden my hair was falling out in huge clumps! I stopped washing my hair everyday, brushed sparingly, and moved to an organic and expensive shampoo. It didn’t work. I went to my doctor and she took blood samples. The results showed that I have a TSH level of 4.57 (normal is between 1-2) so now she wants to increase my medication! From what I am reading, the higher the dosage of Synthroid, the more likely you are to experience hair loss. So now I am wondering if I should get off of Yasmin, hoping that getting off of this hormonal drug might level my TSH levels. My doctor is saying that my TSH levels are what they are and will stay there, but I just can’t believe that. How can they get worse, but not better?! I want to turn to a holistic method, but you have to continue taking your meds and slowly ween yourself off of them. I want to try another brand, but my doctor said she is relunctant to make a switch because it could make my levels go out of whack. She is basically telling me to just deal with it!! UGH! I have been doing a lot of research, and have read some (hopeful) potential solutions to the hair loss problem:
1) Studies have shown that adding one gram of vitamin C to your water when you take your thyroid medication will help aid oral absorption, meaning that your body will react better to your medication and (hopefully) improve TSH levels.
2) Take a multivitamin, Biotin, or B12 vitamin. (I have started a B complex vitamin, so far I just pee it all out … when I pee it looks like Gatorade!!)
3) Try Evening Primrose Oil. Bloggers who have been taking this supplement have been seeing improvements in terms of hair regrowth! YAY! They say to take at least 1000 mg a day, but what is important is the GLA (try speaking to an herbal specialist about this.. Right now I am taking a pill with 45 mg GLA 3 times a day with meals, but I just bought a more expensive bottle with over 90 mg of GLA). I have been taking EPO for two weeks now, and already I am seeing little sprouts frame my face!!!! Hope!!!
4) Do NOT take Synthroid with milk. Studies show that calcium consumed within 4 hours of taking synthroid can limit the absorption process. YIKES!
Hope some of this helps! Stay hopeful everyone! For some reason, I really believe that there are environmental factors (like stress, job, comfort levels) that can worsen your symptoms. I don’t believe what my doctor says, that my levels are what they are and I need to up my medication. I am going to try to see if I can “will” my body to correct itself through yoga, diet, and herbal supplements. I am going to stop taking Yasmin, and will go back in six weeks to have my blood checked again. I will let you know what happens.
Just also so you know, I am a very conscious eater. I try to stay away from foods that do not trigger thyroid activity, like cabbage, carrots, and peanut butter. I eat spinach and arugula, bright vegetables, and add ground flaxseed to most of my meals. I try to eat organic, and never EVER eat fast food or junk foods like chips and donuts. I stay away from processed foods, and don’t consume partially hydrogented oils or high fructose corn syrup. So I think going to a holistic method would be more suited for my lifestyle. Has anyone ever tried acupuncture treatment for their thyroid disease?
~Elizabeth
hello i started taking prem-pro 3 months agao and my hair is thinning in the front please help is it from the prem pro ? i am in the beginning stages of pre pre pre menapause and the only reason i was put on it was hotflashes were so bad and sleeping issues please help thank you,i am on the low dosage
I think you are misunderstanding why Synthroid causes hair loss. It isn’t the drug itself, but the sudden change in thyroid hormone. Sudden changes in thyroid gland function also produce hair loss from the exact same causes. When your hormone levels change, your cells have to adapt to a completely new scenario – a new level of hormone. Synthroid or Armour – if taken at levels too high – will over-fuel these cells and cause hair loss — just as a hyper-functioning thyroid gland itself does.
The key to preventing hair loss – and many other symptoms – is to keep the thyroid levels (T4 and T3) in FULL NORMAL range (not too high, not too low) and then maintain them as stable and unchanging as possible. Any movement can bring on symptoms, especially if that movement sends them too cloes to high or too close to low. If BOTH T3 and T4 are toward the lower end of the scale, you will probably be feeling even more of these symptoms. It’s important to test BOTH the Free T3 and Free T4 to make sure your body has adequate levels.
In answer to Kathleen’s query, I too am taking metoprolol succ. along with Crestor and Exforge (not the HCT). I have been experiencing over a period of two months tremendous hair loss. I have a bald spot in the back of my head and now extremely thin hair in the front of my head. My hair looks and feels dead with no luster to it. Does anyone have any suggestions or can anyone identify with this. I know I can probably have my doctor take me off of this, however, the other medicine I was taking caused kidney problems. What a dilema!
I’ve learned a lot just by reading everone’s comments here, so first of all, thank you. More important though, I want to pass on these 2 shampoos that have worked amazingly for my hair loss. I don’t even hate washing my hair anymore! The first one I tried is Pantene Pro V Restoratives Breakage Defense (really long name for a godsend!) Then I found L’Oreal EverStrong. OMG! It’s my new best friend. Works just as good as the Pantene, but gives a lot more body. I switch off between both shampoos now every week or two. I also heard about another one but haven’t tried it yet. It’s a salon brand… Matrix Biolage Rejuvathreapie. I heard or read somewhere that any shampoo with “strong” or “antibreakage” in the name will be good. I really hope this helps you as much as it has me.
FYI — If you have anxiety or can’t deal with stress, my friend suggested I take LIQID CALCIUM . Calcium is supposed to relieve anxiety/stress and taking the liquid form gets in to your system quicker.
The only thing that is different in my life is July my heart went into A-fib and they put me on Rythmol SR 225 mg two times a day and one Digoxin 125 mg once a day and I had very thick hair all my life and since I have been on these
heart drugs I am losing hair …. its very thin right now …. I ask the Doctor about
this and he said no the medicine wouldn’t cause it to get thinner … my hair dresser notice it and she ask me if I was on medicine …. so what can you tell me
that might me of some help ??????
You mentioned above that Vitamin A to help with acne would cause hair loss, do you mean the pills or even vitamin A cream? Because I apply vitamin A cream on my face every night to help with the acne since 4 years ago, and I have been losing hair for about 2-3 years now. I never saw the link between the vitamin A and the losing hair, I though losing hair was because it runs in my family. I don’t take any other pills, except for iron supplements to help with my anemia.
Started losing my hair about a month ago. Have seen family dr. dermatologist, endocrinologist! Derm has been great. diagnosed with AA. (alopecia aerata) Had a tooth pulled a few days before symptoms began. Sore head was first, then about 10 days later an inflamed scalp and then massive hair loss. Went to derm, gave me betamethasone dipropionate for the discomfort and did injections to stimulate hair growth. Still losing hair by the hundreds every day. Taking 8000 biotin, 1500 Niacin, multi vitamin,zinc, etc. Still losing hair HELP!! Any suggestions welcome.
So glad I found this website! I started taking a vitamin supplement for hair, skin and nails made by Sundown about a week ago. I have already noticed a major improvement in my nails. Also, I see small new hair growing around my hairline. I don’t know if it’s from this supplement or the fact that I stopped taking the Pliva brand trazodone.
Just a follow-up to my last post. I had been taking Apotex trazodone for about two years with no problem. In fact, I think it made my hair grow because when I stopped it temporarily in November of 2008, my hair started to fall out. However, this past April they switched me to the Pliva brand of trazodone because Apotex was having trouble with the FDA. That’s when my hair started to fall out so I don’t think it’s any coincidence. So, I guess it depends on the brand too. I stopped taking the Pliva brand about a month ago and managed to get some Apotex trazodone and my hair loss seems to be subsiding a bit.
I remember having another bout with hair loss about 14 years ago and it grew back. My husband reminded me of a bout with hair loss a few years ago that I seem to have blocked out. As someone else posted here, I think we do forget about these unpleasant incidences and then don’t come back to boards like this to report our improvement.
One other thing, I like Clairol Herbal Essences volumizing shampoo and conditioner, although it does tend to make your hair a bit dry but it is pretty inexpensive.
I was just thinking….do you think that we (the people who write into these message boards) are the people who tend to obsess about things? I happened to mention my hair loss to my sister and she said that she too was experiencing hair loss, so much so that she had to wipe it out of the shower drain with a tissue. Now, my hair loss isn’t as much as that but she isn’t worried a bit! Is there some message in this story perhaps? I’m speaking to myself here as well.
I took Wellbutrin for a few months for minor depression. It was a very low dose. After a few months I noticed that my hair was starting to fall out. I deducted that it had to be the Wellbutrin, since I wasn’t taking any other meds and nothing in my life had changed. I stopped the meds and my hair instantly started to grow back. My hair stylist and I noticed that my entire scalp had little tiny peach fuzz that started to grow back almost immediately. It’s been 2 years now and my hair is back to it’s old thick style. I will never taken any medication again unless it is absolutely necessary for my life.
So I just came back from the dentist where I had to start a root canal and was prescribed penicillin because the root was infected. My dentist asked me how long I had been experiencing pain in the tooth, and when I said, “two months,” I instantly realized that’s how long my hair loss has been going on. When I came back to the office, I Googled tooth infection and hair loss and, lo and behold, there is a connection. Although this forum is for drug-induced hair loss, I just wanted to share this information in case it could be the cause for others’ hair loss. I’m hoping (fingers crossed) that my hair loss problem will resolve itself now.
Over the past year, particularly the past couple of months, I have noticed that my once thick and heavy mane of hair is frighteningly thin. The anxiety and stress over this has really impacted my life.
I recently switched from EFFEXOR XR to PRESTIQ, and looking back, this is when the heavy loss began. About a year ago, my Effexor XR was increased to 450mg/day (225 is usually the recommended max dose) and this is when I first started to notice the loss. A couple of months ago, I asked my psychiatrist to lower the dose, and when I got to 300 mg, I switched to 100mg of Prestiq. In the three months that I have been on it, the hair loss has been DRASTIC!!
Has anyone out there had the same problem with Prestiq?
Lamictal. i have suffered hairloss for the 2+yrs I have been on Lamictal for BiPolar2. I realised loss within the first 6mths and having gone off every other drug over the next 2yrs… eg: Dixarit for migraines and HRT, I know it was the Lamictal now. Statistics say that hairloss is only at 1% but after reading many forums and sites, I see the percentage must be much highter. I have found it soul destroying and came off the drug against my phyciatrists wishes. Yes, I miss being on the moodstablizer for the reasons I was on it but I had got to a point where I couldn’t have hidden the scalp much longer – I previously had thick wavy hair which helped me get this far. Hopefully I can self manage my disorder – or else I’ll be in the body bag with a full head of hair! lol
I have been taken Cytomel for my thyroid… Everything was fine with the brand name drug… then the generics came out recently…. One of them which is a round white pill worked great. My next refill was filled with a oval shaped white pill – this one made my hair fall out. I switched back to the first generic and it stopped. Now if all generics are equivelant, it’s not the medication itself, but maybe a filler that caused the hair loss? I just thought I’d mention this just in case someone else was taking Cytomel and switched to generic and is having problems. Have them order a different generic.
I feel for all of you out there. I am 58 and was diagnosed two years ago with rheumatoid arthritis. Every drug I take causes hair loss, plus does the presdisone I am still on. I have lost more than a third of my hair plus gained twenty pounds from the sterioids. Talk about depressed!!! I have found something that helps the bald spots seem a little less noticable. Its called Joan Rivers great hair day.It is a powder you brush in your hair by your hairline that helps cover the bare spots. Its sold on QVC Look it up and give it a try. It certainly wont bring your hair back but it helps. I know my hair will never be the same, ever, I just have to accept it. But it sure is hard
I am on zoloft,buspar and xanax for panic attacks,anxietyn and agora phobia.I’ve been on them for about 8 weeks.Now my hair is changing texture.Use to by curly,now it just dry and frizzy.Wouldn’t even take the color when I tried the other day.What can I do?
Is there a medication to treat low thyroid condition that will not cause hair loss?
Ask your pharmacist not your Doctor. Doctors get very little pharmacology in med school. But pharmacology is all pharmacy studies in graduate school.
58 year old female withvery noticeable hair falling. The only two things medically different is I am on 25mgs. zoloft, and most importantly at the same time taken off my hormone replacement patch. thyroid test are normal. add a little more than normal family stress and “POP” there it goes. anyone notice going off the hormones after 7 years on the combi-patch causing any side effects? I am a hairdresser and I have been using the nioxin regimen for 3 months. good luck to all!!!
PAIN KILLERS AND HAIR LOSS! After taking Cymbalta for 5 months to help with my firbromyalgia pain, I am losing my hair. I called Eli Lilly and they said that they did not have to report any side effects that were less than 5%.
IF YOU HAVE HAIR LOSS FROM ANY DRUGS PLEASE contact them and the FDA. Patients have to start being more proactive and holding them accountable! The FDA form is easily filled out online and includes a postage paid return label. Why can’t these drugs that help with pain have less serious side effects? The drug companies have to work harder.
I am taking Cymbalta, Synthroid and Evista. I am experience moderate hair loss. I’ve been to a physician who didn’t seem to take female hair loss seriously. Is there anything short of stopping meds to stop the hair loss? It’s getting worse almost daily.
Please tell me if luvox (fluvoxamina) is in the list of antidepression drugs that causes hair loss. Thank you
Hi,
Just wanted to circle back because people usually don’t once the hair loss stops. My hair loss lasted three months and it is growing back again. This has happened to me before but it still freaked me out. Perhaps it was just the natural pattern of hair loss and growth. In any case, I think the Sundown vitamins for hair, nails and skin are DEFINITELY helping! My eyelashes got really long and my nails are stronger than they had ever been. One other tip…L’Oreal sulfate-free volumizing shampoo is amazing.
I wish all the best to everyone going through this because I know how scary it is. My last piece of advice is don’t stop until you get an answer and don’t always believe what the doctors say.
Debbie
What great comments! I have learned so much from the many postings. I have questions regarding hair loss and factors such as:
– taking Yasmin for 10 years and recently switching to a lower dose birth control pill (after reaching 40 yrs)
– decreasing the dosage of hypothyroid medication (generic – Levothyroxine)
– regular hair color
I have been shedding large amounts (clumps) of hair since I switched from Yasmin to Ocella about 2 months ago. Around the time I made this switch, my gp decreased my dosage of Levothyroxine from 200 mcg to 150 mcg. Over the past 12 years I’ve taken Synthroid and more recently the generic Levothyroxine I’ve noticed a gradual increase in hair loss. I considered it however to be an unpleasant side effect of having to color my hair due to premature gray hair that has become more pronounced over time (I’ve gone from foil applications every 10 weeks to all over root applications every 4 weeks). I used to have very very thick hair……
After reading the many online comments, any/all of these could play a role.
Has anyone found a birth control medicine that does NOT contribute to hair loss?
Would switching to Armour vs. Levothyroxine help?
Thanks! Liza
Folks, I had Graves Disease and my Thyroid was irradiated 13 years ago. I HAVE to take replacements, period. My hair fell out (overall thinning) right after my treatment years ago. I wish my endocrinologist had warned me of that, because I freaked. Anyway, it grew back and since that time, until about a month ago, everything was fine. It started thinning again, and I approached my doctor. We tested my T3 (not usually replaced in drug therapy for hypothyroid). It was low, and I am now on generic Cytomel as well as Levothyroxine. My T4 tested slightly high, and we reduced my Levothyroxine. I am also on HRT. I suspect that my recent weight loss (35 lbs.) may also have contributed something to the mix. So, here’s the kicker, is it Thyroid replacement/levels, or is it the HRT? Too soon to tell.
Please know that Thyroid-related hair loss is an all-over thinning, not hair falling out in clumps. That is usually caused by stress. Make sure your doctor knows HOW your hair is falling out, and how much, and if you are having scalp discomfort associated with it.
I was put on Orthotricyclen Low birth control 5 years ago after my daughter was born. I immediately noticed shedding of my hair after starting this new bc pill. I saw the doctor about 6 months later and he said it was just natural hair loss that comes with age. Today my hair is about 1/10 as thick as it was 5 years ago. I can easily pull out over 300 hairs after taking a shower and even more when I comb it through. I’ve started putting all my lost hair in baggies and labeling them so I can track how much I have lost, and to show the doctor when I go in again. I saw the doctor again about a year ago and he said the same old thing. I’m so frustrated! I’ve had my thyroid checked every 6 months and that’s always normal. I finally made an appt with a dermatologist and endocrinologist to see if they can figure this out. My family has no history of hair loss, in fact, most of them have very very thick hair.
I’m sure others have experienced hair loss after birth control pills, does anyone have any suggestions for me. I take biotin and collagen on a daily basis to try to help strengthen my hair but nothing seems to work. I just stopped taking my birth control pill last month to see if that will help cease the hair loss.
Thanks,
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
I’ve been losing hair for the last 9 months from going OFF the pill (Yaz). I was only on it for 2 months and 2 months after stopping all hell broke loose. I started losing over 300 hairs just in the shower! This last for a few months. Then it slooooooowly started decreasing. I’m now losing anywhere between 60-100 (which I now is considered normal) but at least once a week it seems to go up and go over 120. I started seeing re growth around February but some hairs have fallen out and some are now 1-4 inches long. I’ve seen an Endo, 2 Ob/Gyn and recently a Derm. They all said it’s Telogen Effluvium and soon it will taper off and stop. I’m still waiting for that day to come. I started out with a lot of thick hair and even though I’ve lost about 50%, most people don’t notice. My best friend did notice, but I think it’s because she knows what my hair looks like and has always commented on how full and thick it was. It makes me so upset to hear that doctors still will not admit that going on/going off the pill will cause hair loss…especially when it’s listed as a side effect. One of the Ob/Gyn (the one that prescribed it) I saw, completely denied that the pill could cause such a thing. All other doctors I saw said DEFINITELY, it can cause hair loss.
I’ve been trying to stay positive and still believe that one day I will get ALL my hair back.
Hang in there!
Pilar
Dear readers,
It is especially comforting to read this blog, as I am experiencing hair loss from medication, too. I take Prozac, Topomax, alprazolam, Asacol, Ambien, Trazadone, and Geodone. I, like many of you, am losing fistfuls of hair in the shower and on my brush. My once thick locks are now thin and brittle.
One thing I have done since my hair is so unmangeable is put it in a pony tail every day for the last year. For all you that are doing that, please STOP. Another form of alopecia is called traction alopecia and it is common among women who wear their hair in braids, ponytails, or use extensions frequently because it pulls at the follicles and if done long enough, will not allow hair to grow back. I was devasted to hear my pony tail was making my problem worse.
I’m trying to wean myself off the pony tail and wear it down, but it’s hard because it looks so flat and brittle. Doctor reommended 2000mg of Biotin daily, my multi-Vitamin and took me off Topomax and Prozac replacing it with Pristiq and Relpax. (Again, I’m not a Dr., this is just what was done for me.
Also, don’t be afraid to brush or shampoo your hair because all of that hair that comes out is already dead and is going to come out anyway.
Thanks for all your information!
Jodie
does anyone know if one bata blocker causes hair shedding, and you switch to another, will you have the same effect?
i have found out that every kind of depression meds out there will make you loose your hair. that was the one and only thing i liked about myself.i have been reading on all depression meds and bingo everyone makes you bald,to everyone out there with bipolor, manic and everything else YOU WILL LOOSE YOUR HAIR NOMATTER WHAT KIND OF CRAP YOUR DR TELLS YOU . your hair loss is do to your medication.
Hi All,
I’m back after 2 years reading old posts. I’m finally seeing a specialist to see if I can get my levels back in order and stop this hair loss! For what it’s worth, it has slowed down, but I really do have about half as much hair as I used to. Looking at old pictures brings tears to my eyes. I am 100% convinced that Levo / Synthroid / Naturethroid are the cause of this! However, I recently discovered that I have very low iron (ferritin level was 23, normal 13 – 150). Sometimes low iron and high Reverse T3 can be a bad combo. I have both of these. So have your doc. check your Ferritn and iron levels to rule out an imbalance. I switched to Cytomel (T3 only – this is my LAST option for thyroid meds) and am working on getting iron levels up. Find out of you have an RT3 problem if you’re hypo. I really wish I could come on here and say that the problem stopped, but it’s been more than 3 years and still shedding. If it’s any consolation, I’m not bald – yet! I pry only need a few more years tho and I’ll be there. I will let you know if iron helps!
I’m 66 years old, and each time I use Vaniqa to inhibit hair growth on my chin and upper lip, I seem to lose more head hair. Have you heard of any tie-in between Vaniqa and scalp hair loss?
Hey girls,
Has anyone experienced hair loss due to the drug Wellbutrin? I was on Wellbutrin for 6 month when I finally noticed my hair was thinning and I could see my scalp. I went to see my doctor thinking the hair loss was related to my thyroid problem, but that wasn’t the case. I had been taking the same thyroid medication for over 6 years and never had any problems. I had my blood work done which came back normal and was told by my doctor that my hair loss was due to stress. I couldn’t stop there, so I started researching the drug Wellburtin as that was the only other drug I was on. To my surprise, I found many sites including Medications.com where women had shared their stories of hair loss due to the drug Wellbutrin. It is thought that this drug may increase the levels of testosterone in women. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, everything started to make so much sense. Not only was I losing my hair, but my skin had become extremely oily, my sex drive had increased and I had really bad acne on my back. After reading all the hair loss stories and doing more research, I decided to give up the drug. It has been almost 7 months since I stopped taking Wellburtin. My acne is gone and the excessive shedding has slowed down. I do see a little regrowth, however my hair is still really thin on the top and I can still see my scalp. A this point I am starting to wonder if I’ll ever get my beautiful long thick hair back or if I’m stuck with this for life? I know hair regrowth goes through cycles, but I’m fearful that the Wellbutrin has caused some sort of permanent female patterned baldness due to the increased amount of testosterone that invaded my system for the 6 months or so. I’d loved to hear back from anyone who has experienced this sort of hair loss(hopefully something positive and encouraging). Will I get all my hair back and how long does hair regrowth take? It seems as if I have had some hair regrowth on the sides but nothing on the top. Is there maybe a pattern as to how the hair comes in? Thanks!
I have fibromyolgia. I am taking Lyrcia and Gabapentan. When I wash my hair it comes out by the hand fulls. Is the meds causing this. I’m 64 and never have I had a problem like this. Is my hair going to grow back??
Spironolactone (Brand name: Aldactone) perscribed for my acne made my hair fall out and thin badly, the crazy part is it’s perscribed for hair growth. Guess it did the opposite for me.
Crystal:
How long did you take Spiro? And when did you notice the hair loss? Have you stopped the medication? Has it improved at all?
Pilar
I am on Wellbutrin, Cybalta, Lamictal, Abilify, and Vyvanse. I, too, have lost a huge percentage of my hair. My doctor has lowered my Lamictal and it seems to have slowed down a bit so I’m going to ask him to taper me off completely. This is so frustrating because I was finally on a combination of anti-depressants and mood stabilizers that worked. I have tried many other mood stabilizers and have had even worse reactions. I will not take Depakote, Lithium, or Seroquel. Does anyone have a suggestion for a mood stabilizer I can try? Also, I think ampetamines such as Adderall and Vyvanse can cause hair loss as well. I am taking the hair vitamins, but want to know if there are any other remedies that work. My hair used to be one of my best features. I refuse to lose hope and if I do find a solution I will let you all know.
I have been experiencing hair loss for the past two years or so and I now believe that it is because of the BC pill I am on, Loestrin 24. At first, I thought it was due to postpartum shedding after the birth of my 3rd child in 2008, but it seemed to last too long, way longer than anything I had read that it should last. I started taking the Loestrin in about September of 2008 and have been on it continuously since then but after reading everything on this site, I have come to find out that this pill is one of the pills with the highest androgen index out there and that is what causes the hair loss. I am not sure if I should just stop it cold turkey because I am afraid that would make the hair loss worse. I am thinking that maybe I should change to a different brand but I am kind of scared the same thing would happen, so I feel like I am trapped between a rock and a hard place, basically. I was happy to see, however, that a prominent article was on the Yahoo website this morning regarding hair health did list birth control pills as a cause of hair loss. Many doctors won’t even admit this fact, but I believe it is probably the cause the majority of hair loss in young women, myself included. Perhaps if more women were aware of this fact, they wouldn’t be so quick to choose BCP’s as their form of birth control and would then not have to go through the traumatic experience of hair loss at a young age.
Just found this site and I cant believe the amount of people having the same problems as I am with hair loss. It started when I was prescribed a ACE inhibitor for hypertension {cant remember its name}. After a year of losing more than half my hair I asked for my medication to be changed to a beta blocker and am on candestartin. Although this has been good for stableising my blood pressure my hair is still falling out. I have started on evening primrose oil in the last month and have been using viviscal since september( an expensive marine supplement). I do feel that my hair is in better condition but not sure if there is much regrowth. Does anyone have any experience of candestartin and wether changeing beta blockers might help?
Hi
Sorry guys am new to this website. I have been reading your comments and can completely sympathise with all your comments. I have just recently stopped taking antidepressants for hrt. I am not a happy bunny. I too have suffered badly with, yes you’ve guessed it….. HAIR LOSS. What is it about doctors these days that they can’t get the simple things right. Now i’m trying to correct the damage they’ve done i.e. a healthy diet and some additional vitamins. Hopefully this will do the trick. Whether my hair will return is a different matter. Also the tablets induced a seizure because guess what i also suffer with epilepsy. Definitely not funny as i’ve had to hand my driving licence back in and will have to wait another year to get it back. Had a lovely black eye from where i fell. It has also knocked all my hormones out including my thyroid. Will never listen to a doctor again. Take my advice if you don’t need the tablets please please please don’t take them. Also if you have suffered with side effects then please report them on the mhra website hopefully something will then be done about it.
Take care all of you I can completely understand and feel your pain.
This may sound weird, but I think that my hair was actually GROWING when I was on the Apotex trazodone. It has been taken off the US market and now I get it from Canada but this version doesn’t make my hair grow at all. (I took the Pliva brand for a month but my hair was falling out a LOT.) My hair is much thinner than a year ago when I was taking the US version. Anyone else experience anything like this? Is it possible for an antidepressant to make your hair GROW?
This site has been very helpful.. I started loosing a bunch of hair in the last few months, and have been trying to figure out whats going on, I’ve gone from having unmanageably thick hair to balding patches :(. Unluckily for me, I’m on 4 different meds, (synthroid for 5 years -not had a problem, acne birth control for 1 year -didn’t have a problem, ranitidine for 6 months -had no problem the first two months, and now another one, which regulates nerve function.) All of which are listed here as causing hair loss! I’m thinking that because I didn’t have any trouble before, and just had my thyroid levels tested, that it must be the combination of all the meds which is causing it. Basically I’m screwed, because I can’t really switch off any of the meds. I’m only 25, so I guess it’s time to start getting used to idea of wearing a wig?
oh just thought I’d add, if you are loosing hair, whatever you do, don’t use pantene hair products!!!!! several people in my family have experienced hair loss while using it. I don’t use it, so unfortunately thats not my issue. 🙁
Britt,
I read the same thing about Pantene shampoo on another site. Ugh! My hair is falling out more again and I don’t know why. I’m only taking trazodone. I have a question: could our hair loss be causing my excessive dying (I go every four weeks and was doing a root touch up in-between) or might it be caused by menopause? (I know not in your case, Britt!
Thanks,
Debbie
I am 50 years old my hair was very long, and fairly thick, just a year ago. Now, I have had to cut my hair to just past my shoulders and it has thinned. I have been on hormone replacement therapy for about seven years now, and I understand that this may be the problem, but I am wondering if pain medications can also cause this problem as well. I have also been on pain medication for seven years as well as I have chronic pelvic adhesion’s and I have had five surgeries for this disease. I am wondering if there are any other women on pain management who have had hair thinning issues? Thank you and God bless…Valerie Jones.
Hi Valerie,
Since I am also 50 years old and have been on HRT for about 4 years, we have a lot in common. I wanted to respond by saying that I doubt seriously if any of the pain medications are the problem. I suspect you have the same problem I have: hormono imbalance due to all the HRT we’ve been taking. I had saliva tests done last month to test my hormone levels and they were CRAZY–so high that all the doctors were shocked when they saw the numbers. I strongly suspect you have the same problem that most menopausal women have: high DHT levels. The DHT is an adrogenic hormone that attacks the hair follicles and destroys our hair by thinning it out. As one of the articles on this site mentioned, I would suggest you try SAW PALMETTO. This is a natural herb you can buy at any health food store (or online!). Though men primarily use it for prostate problems, millions of women use it to stunt testosterone levels. Your hormones are probably out-of-balance. The high testosterone levels are destroying your hair, in all likelihood.
And, yes, taking the HRT may be the real culprit. It was for me and is destroying my body — my levels are outrageously high for every hormone. I also stopped taking the hormone creams (e.g., progesterone, estriol, Femring) for about a month. Give your body a break. Remember our grandmothers never took HRT and many of them are still alive at Age 80 or 90. Get a saliva test to verify this and try the saw palmetto for 1-2 months and see happens. It certainly can’t hurt.
Good Luck/Chandra
There is some talk of fluoride in the water causing hair loss. Also, many cities have poor water quality. If all of us are losing our hair there must be a common denominator. Environmental Working Group has water quality info.
I started losing my hair after stopping using filtered water and going back to using water from the faucet. I lost half my hair in a three month period when I did that. I’ve been taking lisinopril for about two years but the sudden loss in conjunction with drinking water from the facet again seems more than coincidental. I live in Dallas, Texas and we have less than great water quality. I think it’s in the water, combined with all the plastics leaching into our systems, plus the drugs everyone is on. Surely somewhere there is a natural blood pressure answer. Good luck to all
Hi. I have to say I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face. I’ve taken at least three of the drugs you have mentioned! Inderal, Prozac and HRT (cycloprogynova). I’ve also taken Xanax, Buspar and Stablon. All last year. And Xanax at the very beginning when I started having panic attacks at the end of 2009.
AND MY HAIR HAS BEEN THINNING!!!!! I can see my scalp one way or another. ITS UTTERLY DISGUSTING. AND I HATE IT. AND I HATE MY DOCTORS. :(.
I’ve just been prescribed, and started taking, Lexapro. For those unfamiliar with it, it’s an antidepressant and an SSRI. I noticed immediate hair loss actually, within the first day of even taking it. It increased and has gotten worse. Considering i’ve only been on it for a week and already having this SE is devastating.
I’ve done my own research; from speaking with other friends who also take antidepressants and with doing research online, i’ve found that antidepressants cause hair loss quite often, and most particularly SSRI’s.
I’m now speaking with my psychiatrist tomorrow and inquiring about Wellbutrin.
Hope this helps others have experienced similar issues and weren’t sure what it could be.
Also note: I haven’t taken any other new medications nor have I changed my diet(I eat very healthy), so I knew it was the Lexapro.
Be careful about taking Wellbutrin. It’s a norepanephrine, and it works on the concentration, analytical, thinking part of the brain. If you are a light sleeper and have thoughts running in your head before you go to sleep, don’t take this! This is what onset my hairloss. I was over thinking, overstimulated! NO Bueno!
Just my take on it though. If someone put a bullet to my head and told me to take Wellbutrin again, I’d rather take the bullet. The pill kept me up all night and I had a loss of appetite, lost a lot of unwanted weight. Be sure to keep your pt’s with your dr. And call them if you are experiencing jitterness, anxiety.
Has anyone tried Minoxidil for HBP? My HBP is still uncontrolled even with 6 meds ( benazepril/cozaar/hydralazine/tekturna/toprol/coumadin). I understand why I would experience severe hair loss under these circumstances. My doctor is very understanding and even prescribed a trial on 10mg Minoxidil (Rogaine), but I then after about 2 weeks, I had dark facial hair growth -with no noticeable improvement in my hair loss – so it was discontinued. Has anyone had experience with minoxidil 10mg?
Another victim of Synthroid hair loss here. I wasmildly hypo with menstryal irregularities. Doc first put me on BCP (Ortho Tricyclen) which not only did not help, but caused hair loss by the 3rd month. I stopped it at the end of the cycle and the hair loss stopped within a week. A month later, Doc put me on 0.25 Levothyroxine (generic Synthroid) and my menstruation regulated, AND I slept better and felt better. Guess the Doc was over-excited by this, as she increased my dosage to 0.50 and a month later to 0.75 and switched me to Synthroid. Within a month, I began losing handfuls of hair at a frightening rate! I mentioned this to her and she said, “Just wait it out”. Three months later, I stopped the Synthroid for fearing of going bald.
The hair loss continued for 5 months after that at an alarming rate…and stops now and again, only to start falling out again for no reason. I began with a LOT of great, healthy hair and have ended up with thin, brittle hair and bald patches on my temples – not MPB, just diffuse hair loss that hit the thinnest areas hardest – and slow, patchy regrowth that isn’t enough to cover the damage. I cry about it every night when I shower.
I went to so many derms and even Dr. McAndrews, a hair specialist in LA. He was arrogant and tried to tell me how mt hair is not that bad…hello, this is not what my hair was like a year ago!!
I have tried every potion and lotion and bitamin to counteract this damage but not sure I’m even in recovery. Ferritin levlks were slightly low, so I’m supplementing with iron, biotin, evening primrose oil, multi vitamin, magnesium, zinc, manganese, Nizarol shampoo, biotin shampoo, Plantaur39 shampoo, emu oil (just recently), BioSil (as of yesterday)…and lots of tears and prayers. Hair loss is not even hereditary for me, so I don’t know what in the world is going on..but this sucks. Plus now I’m noticing that hair is only growing in patches on my arms and legs…what the…???
Synthroid is evil, and I hear the new formulation for Armour is no better lately.
If anyone reads this and knows a great endo/hair specialist in the LA area, please hit me up. I’ve gone to a few with lame outcomes.
I just want my hair back!
Sorry for my typos above, I’m on my darned iPad and make typing mistakes on touch screens.
Help! I have experienced major hair loss from what I believe is Cymbalta. I was on 60mg but had to stop after two weeks because the hair loss was so severe and immediate. I’ve been off of it for three weeks now and my hair is still continuing to fall out just as much! Cymbalta HAS to be the culprit as I am not on any other medication nor had anything changed in my life. It’s too coincidental for it not to be.
I need to know when and if it will stop! This is devastating me as I am a 20 year old female who previously had VERY thick hair. I’ve lost at least half of it and I don’t know what to do! Are they any suggestions to make it grow back faster/make the hair loss stop? I’m desperate!!!
Livial (tibolone) HRT caused my Hairloss. I had the thickest heaviest head of curly hair, now what’s left of it is just thin fluffy whisps. I have to wear a hat at all times. I now have 2 golfball sized bald spots, one right in the front next to my part where I can’t hide it, the other at the crown. I’m takingStinning nettle capsules and Saw Palmetto 4000, biotin and have changed to Angeliq HRT which is supposed to help with stopping DHT in case the Livial has triggered female pattern baldness and I’m stopping colouring my hair. I’m also taking melatonin as I read this helps. So far my hairloss has drastically reduced! I’ll let you know if it grows back… But it’s not looking good. I have seen websites where a lot of women are complaining about Pantene causing hairloss. I used it for many years, but not in the last 6 months.
UPDATE: This sounds crazy but I got the results back from my scalp biopsy and according to my dermatologist I have Androgenetic Alopecia. She then handed me a prescription for Fenestaride ( which doesn’t work for women so I handed it back to her) and told me to get some Rogane, which I refuse to use. She told me that I would only ever get fine short hair if I ever got any regrowth. This morning I noticed a lot of prickly stubble growing. I hadn’t noticed it before, but I put my glasses on, went outside with a mirror, and it’s starting to grow back! My derm refused to believe it was any medication I was on. This isn’t fine hair, this hair is dark, some grey, and its coarse, like my hair was before I was lightening it. There’s also some finer hair. I should have looked more closely before especially with my reading glasses on and in the sunlight!
I’m taking the hrt ( Angeliq) and herbals I mentioned above, melatonin capsules as I read this is great for hair loss, iron, fish oil, zinc, strong B vitamins and I’m adding Rosemary oil to my conditioner , which is natural, herbal and has no Sodium Laurel Sulfate, either does my shampoo, and I’m leaving it on my scalp for 10 minutes.
I’m drinking tea all day which I mixed up myself using Green tea, Horsetail, Licorice, Stinging Nettle, Red Clover and honey. I’m putting fresh Aloe Vera on my scalp of a day 5-10 minutes after rubbing a cut Hot chili on the bald bits ( for circilation and to stimulte folicles. These are all cures I found on the Internet. I’m also putting Papaya cream on my scalp occasionally. When my hair was thick I used to wash it every day. I’ve gone back to doing that hoping to unblock any follicles. I’m not sure which of these things are working but something is!
DON”T GIVE UP!! My biopsy was wrong! I’m convinced Livial is to blame and I found a reputable website ( below) to prove it.. This is the link to the website I found that tells you how your HRT affects your hair. Please scroll down and find the HRT you are using. It also highlights HRT that have very positive effects on your hair! Good luck everyone. Never give up. Doctors can be wrong!!!
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:yagWCedv1Z4J:www.centre-clauderer.com/en/menopause-hair/HRT-list.htm+angeliq+hrt+and+genetic+alopecia&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&source=www.google.com.au
Hi Lisa,
That’s great news!!!!!! I had Telogen Effluvium from going off the pill 1.5 years ago. My hair is sloooooowly growing back and I’m also seeing healthy thicker hairs and some fine ones. When I saw my Derm, she told me to wait another few months for more re growth, and if by that time there wasn’t enough significant growth, she would recommned doing a biopsy. She told me that sometimes after TE and during TE recovery, the biopsy might point towards AGA when it’s really not. She also mentioned that we all have minutirazation to some extent. I have also read of ladies of ladies getting a wrong diagnosis from biopsies….so you are abosolutely right in saying…DON’T GIVE UP!
Pilar
Hi Pilar, Who is the doctor that is treating you? I had TE about about 1.6 years ago. My hair coming out in ropes started in April and slowed November December. I was having massive growth, but it seems to have slowed down and I still small hairs and see miniaturized ones. I started using the laser comb and while it doesn’t seem to have encouraged new growth it seemed to have slowed down the shedding a bit. No the ropes coming out of my hair and in my brush in massive amounts have completely stopped but their is disturbing shedding of short hairs as well as miniaturized ones. I go to a hair specialist in Atlanta he is very passionate and caring and for months they just thought it would return even my biopsy showed TE but he was concerned with the miniaturized hairs, he said it was AGA, but an Atypical case. All of my symptoms sound very similar to yours. I have started using rogaine only at night. I just wanted to share this with you for consideration. Because our symptoms sound identical as well as the diagnosis that I was getting all along. I also had SD but mine was much more severe than yours, I developed an allergy to a substance in black hair dye and it caused sensitivity to everything. But I am now able to tolerate Rogaine. And I am very thankful for that. When I first started this journey I was terrified of Rogaine and now I’m just thankful it is available and I can use it. Also I wanted you to know how much encouragement you have been and how much you are admired for sharing everything and encouraging people when you are still going through it. You are special.
Hi K,
My Derm is Sherry Shieh here in NYC. She also teaches at Columbia University – she’s great!
In the beginning I had some re growth, but only at the hair line. Then in the last few months I’ve been seeing re growth all over! When TE first hit, the left side of my hair line receded – really badly!!! I thought it wasn’t going to come back, but slowly it has filled in! Through out this entire recovery process I also lost a lot of those shorter hairs. My Derm told me that those were intermediate hairs and it’s normal to lose those. She said since the follicles were shocked into the telogen phase prematurely, it might take a few runs to get it right. The intermidiate hairs I lose are a little thinner, but I also have tons of re growth with the same thickness as the rest of my hair. I’m now back to shedding normal amounts and only 1 or 2 of those shorter hairs. How many of those shorter hairs do you think you’re losing per day?
When I saw an Endo last year, she recommended trying Rogaine. She told me that it would be helpful in TE to help push those follicles back into the telogen phase. But I deceided against it and just hoped for the best. Now here I am, and even though my hair is still thin (everyone thinks it looks normal since I started out with a head of thick hair) I do see a lot of re growth.
Thank you SO much for sharing your story and advice. Did you also take BCP? And is that what set off TE for you?
Pilar
K,
One more thing…what did you use for your SD?
Pilar
Hi Pilar,
My severe SD is what triggered my TE. I had itching but no dandruff for several months then itching turned into severe burning not the burning sensation you feel from nerves but like a bee sting in large areas then massive shedding started. They gave me a topical steroid that actually made mine worse. I really just had to wait it out. I can only use Johnson and Johnson shampoo, I even had to quit putting face lotion on my forehead because it was seeping into my hairline and causing it to be red and flare up. I was allergic to hair dye and didn’t realize it because it didn’t burn while on my head it would happen several days later, so I couldn’t really put it together. They even gave me cortisone injections where it was most affected, which made me shed worse. That is so funny about your left side being more affected by the TE, so was mine! I wish that I could say my recovery is as good as yours. I still have tons of shorter ones coming out and even many of them are thick but truncated. And I also have the miniaturized ones as well. My SD has calmed tremendously since around December and continues to improve. The doctor told me that the laser would help with my scalp sensitivity and it really has. I’ve been using it since January, even though I don’t use for 15 minute maybe 5 minutes 3 days a week, it really did help with my scalp and decreased my shedding but has not created new hair growth I don’t believe; I’ve had new hair growth the entire time, but it just hasn’t held on. The miniaturized hairs scared me too much and I am using Rogaine; it is a proprietary formula that my doctor makes it contains propecia (usually this is taken by men only in pill form) in liquid form as well. My doctors name is Dr. Edmond Griffin in Atlanta, Ga. Thank you so much for writing back! I’m so glad you have good news on your recovery. I know during my bout with TE there were some really dark days! And your doctor explains things so well and seems to really understand the anatomy of hair and TE.
Hi K,
Prior to going on the pill for 2 months and then going off, I had NO scalp issues what so ever. Around 6 months post Yaz, I developed an itchy, red and inflammed scalp. The month before SD showed it’s ugly face, my shed was almost back to normal and I wasn’t losing that many small hairs. Then the end of May, my shed began to increase and by July I was shedding abnormally again. I tried to ignore it (stupid I know) and didn’t see a Derm until September. She diagnosed me with a very mild case of SD and didn’t think a steroid was necessary as treatment. She told me to use over the counter Nizoral and sent me on my way. During our meeting she told me it was very common to see SD flare up during hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, starting/stopping birth control). I was using the Nizoral 2-3 times per week and noticed a HUGE improvement! Then around October/November I began to see a HUGE decrease in shedding, especially the shedding of those shorter hairs. Then I was stupid and dyed my hair and used a harsh clarifying in 2 days. That totally irritated my scalp and I was back at my Derm’s office. This time around the inflammation was bad so she prescribed a steroid lotion to use once/day for 7-10 days and Nizoral 2%. Immidiately after the week of topical steroid on my scalp, the inflammation dissappeared! I still continue to use the Nizoral once-twice per week. My derm believes that around April/May of last year, my BCP induced TE was beginning to taper off and come to and end. But the SD flare up caused another small bout of TE. She even thinks my recovery would be further along if I had seen a Derm immidiately after those SD symptoms showed up. Since then I continue to dye my hair with a semi-permanent dye and I have no problems at all. I think maybe the reason why you haven’t seen healthy re growth yet was because the severe SD. I saw 2 derms and according to both, mine was a very mild case and that still affected the growth and shedding of those short hairs. Once my scalp started getting better, it took months for me to see new healthy growth. For me it took around 3-4 months to see the growth I have now. I think right now you’re headed in the right direction and with your scalp getting better and better, you’re making it a better environment for healthy growth.
Pilar
Hi Pilar, Thank you so much for sharing all of your history with me, your back and forth with shedding sounds so much like me, but you seem to be in better recovery. I did do a scalp biopsy and it confirmed TE but when I saw the miniaturized hair I assumed that was AGA. And took those to my doctor and he said they are miniaturized hairs with no other explanation. However his PA (by the way they are hair specialists) has assured me all along that once everything resets itself I should be okay. But the dr went ahead and put me on rogaine. But I think I might try the Nizoral once a week like you. I’m so scared of trying anything because everything has hurt my scalp. No one in my family has AGA, and my mom just thinks they are wrong in giving me that diagnosis. Anyway, thank you so much for sharing. Please keep coming back and giving everyone encouragement because you have been so inspiring! Have a great weekend.
Another update. Further research has shown Papya cream can cause hair loss…so skip the papaya cream.
Another update. Further research has shown Papaya cream can cause hair loss…so skip the papaya cream.
Hello K,
I have read that after TE (especially agressive ones) the hairs that grow back are sometimes a little thinner and these are called intermidiate hairs. These will shed and make way for stronger terminal hairs (this is something my Derm also told me). Sometimes it takes the follicles a few runs to get it right, especially after being shocked into the telogen phase. My Derm also told me that SD could temporarily damage the follicles and in turn it takes them longer to start producing hairs and when they do, they’re not as healthy. After using the topical steroid and making the SD worse, what did you use to make it go away? Just Johnson & Johnson shampoo? Also, I know Rogaine helps many, but I’ve also read about an initial shed when using Roagine…do you think this might also be causing you to shed those shorter hairs?
Pilar
Hi Pilar.
Thank you always for writing back. I just started using the rogaine in the past 2 weeks so no I don’t think that it is the cause. And I definitely had an aggressive TE and severe SD. Yes and all I used was Johnson and Johnson because NO MATTER what the derm gave me I was sensitive to it; it was insane, truly. It just took time to heal so it was a waiting game. I did buy the laser comb back in January and have run it over my head 3 times a week keep in mind not the full 15 minutes because that just scares me. The dr did warn me that starting the rogaine would cause shedding in 3-4 weeks, so I’m bracing myself for that. They said the shedding will last 3 weeks but I’m guessing 2 months. This has just been such a long road for me I’m bracing for anything. I have had constant regrowth, but lately it does seem to have slowed a good bit. I hate it that it has come to this but I really believe I have AGA even though it didn’t show in the bio. I’m even preparing myself for hair replacement and I do constant research on it. But I’m going to try to give the rogaine a year and go from there. But I will tell you that you derm seems to be much more insightful on SD than my doctor (who is a hair specialists). I will definitely continue to provide my experience with rogaine or even if I move into a hair replacement. OH and my Dr did say after he looked at the miniaturized hairs, and re-examined my hair on my head he said it must be an “Atypical case” of AGA so that might explain the effects that SD can have on your hair regrowth, maybe? What do you think?
I also wonder about Mae, it has been awhile since we heard from her. I hope she is doing okay.
And Pilar my bang area is severely assaulted by all of this. Were your bangs affected. My bang area itched and burned the most!
Some great information I have read on here. Norvasc wasn’t included in the list of drugs. It is for High Blood Pressure. I had been on another drug (which I wish I could remember) and noticed my hair was thinning and there was more hair in my shower than used to be. I then switched to Norvasc for a while but was able to get blood pressure down by diet and exercise (plus doing what I could to relieve stress). After reading the posts on here I thought I would check my other drug Lamictal and found out that it also can cause hair loss. Oh my I have a double wammy…levothyroxine and lamictal. What does a person do? I mean I need the medicines. Yipes
Within the same time frame of having my statin cholesterol medication doubled from 20 to 40mg,I have been experiencing considerable overall hair loss. Bloodwork indicates all is well. Went off the statin a week ago & hair is still coming out. Any ideas?
Hello K,
When I aggravated my SD by using a clarifying shampoo and also dyeing my hair my Derm prescribed a topical steroid. I had a friend that also had SD in the past and she told me to ask my Derm for Clobex. So when I saw my Derm and asked her for Clobex, she told me that even though this topical steroid was very popular, the solution had an ingredient that could possibly aggravate my SD even more. She gave me something else and within 2 days almost all the itching was gone. I only used it for 10 days and applied once daily. By the end of the treatment, the redness and itching were completely gone. Do you know what treatments your Derm gave you?
I know that most cases of SD don’t cause permanent damage to follicles. But prolonged cases of SD or severe SD can sometimes affect the follicles and future growth. It’s all such a tricky thing.
When my SD was at it’s worst, the top of my scalp was affected the most. The top and sides…not really the bang area. I had some itching and soreness…not much burning. It was also something that would come and go.
Pilar, thank you. Mine was so severe I don’t know how it couldn’t have caused permanent damage and it still comes and goes. They tried several different things but everything exacerbated my discomfort. It was as though it was raw skin and just needed to heal. All places that it affect me most (I would use an icepack at times) is where it is the thinnest. It has calmed down quite a bit but I still have bouts with it, but no where near to the extreme it was when this journey began. Always thank you for coming back. You take care it sounds as though you are on your way to full recovery. I’m truly so proud for you.
Joy, usually once TE has kicked it; it has to run it’s course and your guess on the meds causing it is probably right. Now it is just a waiting game.
So, my question is about timing. I’m on two medications: Pristiq and LoEstrin FE, both of which are linked to TE. I can’t seem to figure out which one is causing the hairloss! My questions are: how long after taking the meds would the TE have started and how long do I need to be off the meds for the TE to stop? I ask this because I started the Pristiq 9 months before the TE and LoEstrin 2 months before the TE. The timing indicates that the birth control should be the culprit, but I’ve been off it for a month with no change! How long should I wait to see a difference??
I have been taking Synthroid for over 10 years. (Had Graves Disease & radioactive thyroid treatment). I also have been taking Citalopram for about the same length of time. Hair has been falling out for the past year. Have there been cases where the medications have been used for long periods before hair loss occurs?
Everyone, please never take Dhea supplements. I never read about this fact anywhere, but I believe my hair loss is because of a few months on these supplements. I am a 59 year old female and take thoroxine for hypothyroidism. Although my dr increased my meds slightly, my crown and side hair has not begun regrowth since my first big shed during the winter. I do believe I have miniaturation, even though I have not seen an endocrinologist or a dermatologist. I have decreased meds (thyrox) and wash every couple days with Nizoral 1% (otc). Seems to help with the itches and slight burning sensations. I am not on any other meds, just multi-vitamin, biotin, fish-oil, vit. c, mag. and extra protein. any comments about Dhea? Debb
K, I have read all your posts on this string and wanted to see how you are doing now? I also go to Dr. Griffin here in Atlanta and would like to know if you think he is recommending things to help you. I’ve only seen him once so far and then once with Kathryn, his PA.
I have been losing my hair for 8 months (since last October) and it started when I ran out of my HRT drugs (hormone replacement therapy) which included an estrogen patch (vivelle dot) and progesterin (prometrium). for about 2 months. I went into early menopause at age 38 and had been on these perscriptions for 4 yrs. I think stopping them all the sudden triggered my hair loss. Once I realized this may be why I was losing hair, I began taking the medications again, but my hair loss continued. I also am hypothyroid because I had a total thyroidectomy in 2005 due to thryoid cancer. I MUST take synthroid every day and I have been on a high dosage because cancer patients must keep their TSH levels very low due to risk of cancer coming back.
So, I’ve been to my regular derm, Dr. Griffin, and my Endocronologist. No one seems to really have any answers. I have lost my hair ALL OVER my head but it is worse on the top and especially at the very front in my bang area. Dr. Griffin said he thought it was a combination of TE and AGA. So??? What to do? He put me on that same topical Rogaine and Propecia that you are on as well as the “Tampa Formula” which contains estrogen and a bunch of other “Natural” ingredients. They are both topical. So far, I only see a very little bit of hair regrowth and many of my hairs are miniaturized. It is so depressing.
Now, I only lose about 35 hairs, on average, a day but the regrowth is very little and as a result I’ve lost more than 60% of my hair. I don’t know how many hairs I used to lose, but it is more. I didn’t start counting until early April (I was trying not to!).
I’ve recently purchased the Biotin 2,000 mg. supplement and will take that too. My doctor (Endo) also did lower my dosage of synthroid because my TSH was all the way down to .06! The “normal” range for TSH is .5-3.5. SO, mine was very low, which can ALSO cause hair loss. I know that many blame Synthroid for the hair loss, and in fact, that could be the case but I took it for 6 years with no trouble and no hair loss. I’m just at a loss and i think that the hair loss situation is sometimes a perfect storm of factors…not ONE factor only.
I would love to know if you feel that Dr. Griffin is worth all the hype. I’m not sold. He seems to be very full of himself but maybe that’s for good reason? Or maybe not.
Be well, all. I wish none of us had to deal with this OR if we did, I wish there was an ANSWER that could cure this condition in each of us. It is so frustrating and disheartening that there don’t seem to be any good answers for women.
Connie- I would like to know the same thing! It would be interesting to know. I’ve been taking Synthroid for 6 years and just started losing my hair 8 months ago. I too, wondered how one could tolerate it well for a long time and then it would suddenly start causing hair loss? If you find any research on that topic, please post it here. I will do the same!
Hi Ann, I was just thinking of you this morning! I thought well Ann must be doing well with his treatment because I haven’t heard from her. Even though I bought the rogaine with propecia I had to stop using it, because it made my right breast hurt. No he has not helped me at all in all honesty. He told me for months I had TE I even had a biopsy to confirm TE and have tremendous growth, however I too have the minaturized hair, but believe it is due to my severe allergies to hair dye and it going on for sooooo long before I put two and two together. It causes inflammation just like AGA does even though DHT causes inflammation from within my allergies has caused it on top so in my humble opinion I think you would get the same result…..when I showed him the miniaturized hair he examined and confirmed and said it must be an “atypical” AGA because clinically I looked good but I know that things are not normal. I’ve had all the test and everything has come out completely normal so I think it just boils down to self inflicted damage. I was putting ice packs on my head for months without realizing what was going on. Even after I stopped it took fooooooorever for my head to calm down and it still has hot spots that burn and itch. They tried steroid shots but that made it worse and atrophy set in. So he really has not been able to diagnose and consider the damage I did. I’m not ruling out AGA but it does not make sense because there is no history of with women in my family even my dad has a thick head of hair, so if I were a doctor I would consider the evidence first… Kathryn has to remind him constantly of my allergies, which is annoying. I do have a lot of new growth and have had it the entire time, I guess that is why they think I’m going to be okay. I am really considering hair integration. There is a place in Nashville that looks good and a place in Alpharetta that may be good, but Nashville seems to be hopping with the latest, etc….I’m tired of this robbing me of my life. I hate waking up every morning missing my lush density of hair and not being able to abuse it (just kidding, but I did abuse it because I just didn’t think anything about it; I just always thought i would have plenty of hair, now and still would if it returned treat it like fine silk! ) I just think the anatomy of hair is mystery and it is a shot in the dark for all doctors to figure it out. But I will say that Dr. Griffin is passionate about what he does and also takes a gamble in prescribing women propecia, etc….because he does care so much, even though he has not helped me much he does care. I wish you the best and hope that you update me on your progress yes progress we are going to declare that for you. I think you are going to have to stay with your hormone replacement therapy and allow things to level out. If the rogaine mixture is not bothering your scalp or your system I would stay with it. The hairmax hair comb has helped the condition of my scalp but in no way do I think it brings your hair back. It took “Sara (Another one)” on this string 2 years to recover from her hair loss. I wish you the absolute best and more hair on your head than you can manage!
K:
Thank you so much for your response! I was so happy to hop on here this morning and see what you wrote to me. I don’t know anyone who really understands what I (we) are going through and most of my friends and family say that they can’t tell any difference. This really frustrates me because I have lost SO much hair…but over 8 months so maybe they have seen it happen gradually and forgot how thick my hair used to be.
I have continued on the HRT (estrogen and progesterin) drugs and in general, haven’t made any changes, with the exception of my Endo lowering my Synthroid dose to 137 mg from 175 mg. I got a call from my Primary Care doctor on Friday evening who said that my TSH has come up from .06 to .38 (which is right below the normal range of .4-4.0). I’m REALLY happy to hear my TSH is coming into a more normal range as I think that could potentially be an answer for my hair loss. HOWEVER, my PCP said that she and my Endo didn’t think this was the reason for my hair loss. Yet, they have no other explanation and said that I should “keep doing what I’m doing”. And that means??? What exactly, I asked her? Going nuts!? 🙂
My hair loss in the last week has actually gotten worse. Instead of the average 40 hairs per day loss, it has increased to about 70 per day! I think maybe it is because of lowering my Synthroid dose and that my hair loss will level out as my body becomes more adjusted to this new level (even though it has been about 6 weeks since they changed my dose). I really strongly believe that my hair loss is due my Thyroid/Synthroid issues and will keep pursuing that path and am going to call Dr. Griffin’s office on Monday to make another follow-up appointment…this time with Dr. Griffin himself. I have not had the scalp biopsy and may just go ahead and request one to have a confirmation of TE.
I’m SO glad, K, that you have re-growth! That is wonderful news because at least your body knows it needs to make hair! However, if it is falling out at a certain point, I know you still need answers.
I know this is not a problem that will be solved overnight. Thank you for your support and your words. They mean a lot to me!
Does using Rogaine help? I currently use rogaine but it seems that it is not working as well as it used to. My sister is on Synthroid and she is losing a ton of hair and she also uses rogaine.
Eliza- I do not know if using Rogaine for thyroid related hair loss works. I have been using it for about four months and see a small amount of regrowth on the top of my head where I use it, however I do not know if this is attributed to Rogaine or not. I also am losing hair all the time, which Rogaine is also supposed to help control. I just don’t know. I’m afraid to stop using it for fear things will get worse.
Ive started lipitor a few weeks ago. My hair is falling out and I believe it is because of lipitor. I am no longer going to take it. I hope that my hair will grow back. I also feel pain in my lower back and knees. I’m 43 and I move like an elderly person suffering from arthritis.
My doctor prescribed me Toprol (metoprolol) in April of 2010. Since then, I have noticed that my hairline receded. Baldness or thinning hair doesn’t run in my family. I have seen an endocrinologist and my lab tests are all normal. Could Toprol be the culprit? My primary doctor doesn’t seem to think so.
I was wondering if anyone has not only lost alot of hair but also has purple pimple bumps on the back of their heads?
In the last year I came off many meds listed here. Because of side effects from those drugs, I was put through simulated menopause and yanked off the bcp, then put back on Zarah then onto Yasmin. My hair was clogging the drain it was falling out so badly. I used to have so much hair that it took over an hour to blow dry and was so thick it would break the hairbands I tried to wrap around it twice. Now my scalp is showing. Should I stop the bcp entirely or will it just re-start the shed? Am I still shedding because of de-toxing from all of those drugs I stopped? I got an appointment with a dermatologist named on this website in Chicago and it is a TEN week wait to get in to see her. By then I might be bald. I have now lost 2/3 of my hair and I am depressed and scared. Any other dermatologist recommendations in the Chicago area? Or endocrinologists?
Hi Ladies, I have severe migraines and have been on all kinds of medications for it. The last medication the neurologist put me on was Depekote ER. Within 6 weeks I had lost more than 50% of my hair. I stopped the medication and my hair grew back within 3 months. The only thing is that my hair was super curly andtick now is not. I live in florida where is always hot and humid and if I dont use a straighting iron is frizzy, part curly, and part straight. Does anyone ever had their hair go from curly to straight or vice versa when it grew back? Thank God that at least is as thick has before but I miss my curly hair. My hair dresser suggested a Nioxin scalp therapy, that seemed to help a lot. Now my hair dresser has to cut it every 4 weeks and thin it out. I hope this information helps someone. By the way I worked at a Dr’s office for over 20 years and the most common complaint from women was hair loss from anti-depressants and thyroid meds. Don’t trust the pharmacutical info, they just put the most common side effects not all. Good Luck Ladies and keep up the Hope that there is help out there somewhere.
I was diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy 5 years ago now…. I spent the first 4 years on gabapentin at increasing levels with no siuccess but had no hairloss symptoms. Then I started using cymbalta and four months later Lyrica was added and now I am experiencing hairloss at a rapid level starting at the front of my head so far. I also take levothyroxine for throid but have been on it for a long time.
I do not care if I walk with a cane or have greying hair (I am almost 58 years old) but by golly THIS bothers me. I am currently away from home for over a month moving my daughter back home with me to S Carolina and when I get home my Dr is going to see me real soon.
I’ve been having hair loss for about 2 years now. I lose a ton of hair, every time I wash it, and in between shampoos. I’ve lost more then 1/2 the hair on my head, thank God I started out very thick. But, it’s not stopping or slowing down, and it’s getting thinner and thinner after each washing, I can see the difference. one poney tail, used to be the thickness of what one felt like when I had 2 on each side. My dermatologist has confirmed it, and so has my hairdresser. I’ve been on singulair for about 2 1/2 years now, but yet hair loss is not one of there symptoms. please.. I need some help. I’m VERY upset. thank you
I’m a male 39yrs old. I have been taking Welbutrin 150mg for about 5 months. During this time I’ve noticed significant hair loss on the top of my head. I am beginning to wean off of Welbutrin and I have also started Rogaine. I read in the generic Rogaine instructions that Rogaine does not help in cases of hair loss due to medications. But I had already purchased and used it so I am going to keep on using it. I also plan to pick up some vitamins to support hair growth. I will report back in 4-6mnth with updated information.
Wow, so many stories to read, it will take some time to do that. I am a 49 yr old female with major hair loss going on the last 2 years. I attribute it to menopause, and also my mom had major hair loss after 50 and had to wear a wig (I DON’T WANT TO WEAR A WIG!)
I take 50 mg amitriptyline for Fibromyalgia (sleep deprivation), and a generic Walmart brand acid reducer “Famotidine tablets, 20 mg for acid reflux.
I am considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for the hair loss and mood menopausal mood swings. Does anyone know if this is a valid treatment for hair loss?
Hello:
I’m a 42 year old woman who’s been on birth control pills since I was 16. I was recently given a pill that has caused my hair to literally come out almost in bunches. (Several hairs at a time), which I have to say has been frightening. I was on the medication for a year until I realized that it was causing my hair to come out. I have since gotten off the pill all together and am opting to have an Essure proceedure. What I’m really wondering is will my hair come back or will I continue to lose hair? Everytime I wash my I’m afraid of brushing it and seeing all those hairs. I have hair almost down to my waist so I’ve now opted to cut a few inches off to lessen the weight. I’m just so distraught about all this.
Any help will or words of encouagement would be awsome.
Thanks
Sorry for all the missed words in my previous post. My brains working faster then my fingers right now.
For those of you wondering about the Essure proceedure it’s a non-hormonal form of sterilization for those of us that don’t plan to have children. It’s also not a surgery.
If anyone has been through hair loss from birth control please let me know if you grew back your hair or not.
Thanks
I am a 50 y/o female with Leukemia. I take quite a few different medications, Xanax, Exalgo (Ext. Rel Hydromorphone), Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Morphine Sulphate, CoReg, Lisinopril, Synthroid, Glimiperide, Metformin, Pravastatin, Nexium, Vitamin D, Low dose Aspirin and my Leukemia medication Sprycel. I am currently in remission. My last blood work showed that my TSH was too high and my dr. changed my Synthroid from .75 mcg to .88 mcg. Since then I have noticed a lot of hair loss. Could the increase in the Synthroid be caused by this? I am very scared, my hair has always been thick, now I am scared to even touch it. Every time I run my fingers through my hair I come away with strands of hair in my hands. Any help would be appreciated.
Has anyone else had severe hair loss from the medication celebrex ? I have never been Rapunsel but I was prescribed celebrex about 18 mos ago. When the dosage was upped to 400 mg about 9 mos ago hair loss became more rapid and this summer has been a shedding nightmare. I was concerned as I have suffered with bouts of hair loss for 20 years but never anything like this. I was looking at picyures taken 18 mos ago and I had 2x the amount of hair that I have now. I have deduced that the only change in 18 mos was the celebrex.
Well, I guess being on generic versions of levothyroxine, metoprolol and allopurinol makes me screwed…..I cannot go off of any of these…
The truth is , reading over all of these posts, that, we will never know which ones cause the most damage, as Big Pharma is so in control of US health industry.
Hi Everyone, I was reading your comments because I am trying to help out my sister-in-law and I was wondering if any of you have experienced patchy baldness? She is a diabetic among other things, and is on so many different meds. Last November she noticed a few areas on her scalp that were bald, areas about the size on a fingertip. She took it to her Dr.s who told her that it is caused by her diabetes, but just today she came to show me her scalp and she has areas that look like “paths” and others that are scattered all over her scalp. She does take Pamelor for migranes, but she was just put on that medication. Are there other “migrane” medications that might cause baldness as well?
Does anyone out there no if it is safe for me to take the bio-identical hormone replacements?I lost my hair while on the Vivelle estrogen patch. I do not want to lose any more hair.
Please someone I need help.My menopause symptoms are terrible.
Renee:
Interesting. You lost your hair while on the Vivelle Dot? What happened? Did you by chance go off of it after taking it for a while?
When I went off Vivelle Dot and Prometrium, my hair loss started.
I don’t think anyone out here should advise you of being on the HRT is safe or not. That is definitely up to you and your dr. It is somewhat controversial and I think you must weigh the benefits against the risk. My mother died of breast cancer, however I do take these medications because I went into menopause very early at age 38. My doctor advised me to take them to protect against heart disease and bone loss. I will likely taper off of them in my early 50s when I would have normally gone into menopause.
I have heard of women losing their hair when stopping these drugs but not from just taking them. Would love to know of your experience.
I am 38, and I have been diagnosed with AGA (thinning since my early 20s). I have been using rogaine (faithfully) since spring 2011. I have used rogaine before with sketchy results,, but at this point, I feel like I have no other options. After using twice / day for 3 months, it appeared that my hair might be improving in the front (my husband noticed too). However, I started on 10mg LEXAPRO in June. By August, my hair started shedding again. I am so frustrated. I don’t know if it’s the lexapro, or if the rogaine is just not working for me. I am afraid to quit the rogaine as I don’t know how much will fall out if I do quit. Therefore, i intend to see my dr. soon about stopping Lexapro.
Pauline, I got to a hair loss specialists in Atlanta and they advised that Lexapro is the worst offender when it comes to hair loss just thought I would share. I hope you get something that works for you.
So my sister goes to see her alteration lady a couple of weeks ago the lady is in her 70’s and my sister says when she sees her she is amazed at this woman’s hair, like it is blowing her mind the woman has so much hair so she asked the woman about it and she said I went to the doctor and he put me on vitamin D3 which supports your thyroid and thyroid medicine. Well of course I’ve had my thyroid checked and I dismiss this…..so I go to my GP’s today and her nurse was literally almost bald last year, every time I went to the dr I could see her scalp more and more so it has been awhile since I’ve been and I go in today and she has so much hair she literally looks like a baby doll it is healthy and thick and I mean thick it is actually prettier than it has ever been. So I get the nerve to ask her what in the world she is doing and she laughs and I said I’m taking 5000 ui’s of vitamin D3! And B50. She said a drug rep was going thru the same problem she told her she went to some herb shop and they told her to take that. Are we making this more complicated than it has to be? I don’t know. Take the time to research vitamin D3 and see what you think. It supports the thyroid and our thyroid is what produces all of our hormones. I will definitely be trying this. Because seeing her hair is like witnesses a miracle to me.
I also just reread “Bonnie’s success story” and her doctor put her on Vitamin D 1000 iu, not sure if it is D3 but she said Vitamin D she advised this in one of her comments on her story. Just wanted to share. I know this may not be the answer for me, but want to share this with you because it most certainly has been the answer for some.
While I’ve never had thick hair, since I had a partial thyroidectomy in 2007 and now take 137 mcgs of Synthroid, my hair seems to be getting thinner by the day. Could Synthroid be the cause? I also take Multaq (for irregular heartbeat) and Konopin for anxiety. If anyone can enlighten me in some way, I would greatly appreciate it.
I have taken Buproprion (Wellbutrin) 75 mg, once or twice a day. Also Klonopin, Atenolol, Estrace (had a hysterectomy) and Levothyoxine (synthyroid) for a lot of years w no hair loss.
About the last 3 years I have been losing a lot of hair (I had a lot of coarse, thick hair.)
Reasons? Off and on I was taking DHEA and now have stopped; didn’t know it was testosterone type.
I was going through a lot of stress worrying about a divorce in the family (started the stress 3 years ago!) have calmed down now; situation is better.
I was given Nitrofur (generic UTI med) for chronic UTIs; I read it is a major hair loss antibiotic.
So: Off DHEA and Nitrofur and stressing less. Scalp burning and itching so using Nizoral shampoo (get from Amazon, very expensive, unless you get the U.K. version.) it helps a lot w the itching and removes the andogens.
Will look into Nixoral? and Clinicure, both recommended by hair dresser.
I know I was losing hair for 3 years but the burning and noticeable hair loss has been recent.
Skin dermatologist recommended Rogaine Foam 5 % but although I bought it I’d love to return it; don’t want to use it bc it causes hair to fall out initially and may not work and hair gain stops if you stop using it.
Before I stopped the antibiotic and DHEA and before I started the vitamins mentioned, I have in the last month “peach fuzz”; regrowth; derm. felt it, too; new growth is gray (I’m 64.)
I still would like to go to a hair derm. to see just why the hair loss and if I need more treatment than the shampoo.
I believe the 3 years of stress and possibly the antibiotic are the reasons and now that I have started sleeping and stopped stressing so much, the little gray hairs are coming in, thanks to God! I now have to stop worrying about the hair loss!
Bad for hair: stress and some meds…..
Hello, and I’m new to this website but am amazed at what I’m reading. Many of our stories are similar, and I so wish that there was a magic cure-all. I would appreciate any feedback about what I’m posting:
I noticed recently that my hair is thinning, and especially in the bangs area in the front of the scalp. I may have some overall thinning too, but nothing like in front where I can see scalp when a light shines on me. I am 30, with no family history of hair thinning problems…well almost. I have an aunt who experienced major allover thinning, but I’m not sure what that’s due to.
Anyways, I’ve always had long, lovely hair and feel like I’m just too young to be worrying about this. I have taken birth control for 1o years, and was always on the pill. This Spring I had the Mirena implant put in. Could this be causing it? Also last year, I put together that some symptoms I’d had may be caused by hypothyroidism. I went to see an endocronologist and blood work found that my thyroid is a little underactive, as I take a 25 mcg pill a day. I take Euthyrox, which is I think is a generic version of Levothyroxine. This is curious to me, because I wouldn’t have thought that such a small dose could produce a big impact.
I am not someone who feels like I’m suddenly pulling out clumps or waking up with a full pillow- though there’s a lot of hair in the shower when I’m done – it’s just like there are fewer hairs then their used to be. I am just realizing this and am really stressed about it. I want to take action, but an unsure of what to do. I’m thinking about taking iron, vitamin b and d3 suppliments, and maybe stopping or taking my thyroid meds every other day. Any advice on this? ANyone else with Mirena or stopping thyroid meds have anything to share?
My husband is trying to be sweet – when I got up the courage to confide my concerns to him – but he doesn’t really understand. He’s lost some of his hair, but it’s just different with men. I know that it affects him too – but a man can still be sexy with thin or no hair. A woman…it’s tough. He tells me that beauty is not in ones hair and that I’ll still be beautiful bald – so nice…but not what I’m looking for. I want my hairs back! I just never thought that this would be something I’d have to think or worry about. Anyone with any ideas – please advise!
BTW – I think the worst part of this is the insecurities and the second guessing it causes. how long has this been happening and I didn’t realize it? Could I have done something to stop it sooner? Is it going to come back? Should I change my diet/meds/hairstyle? Can other people notice it? Am I just being super-paranoid about something superficial, that may correct itself? It’s the worst! I never realized before how much I take my hair for granted.
I am 68 years old and until 3 months ago had an amazingly thick head of long hair that I always wore up in a loose up-do. It started to fall out in clumps and now is 50% less thick than previous. My doctor says my thyroid is a teeny bit low, nothing to worry about…. she will retest me in three months, by that time I will be bald! I suffer from a mild case of psoriasis and occasionally use cream on my hands.I take Zocor for high cholesterol and have been on it for 15yrs without side effects. I also use Timolol eye drops for glaucoma. My scalp itches and burns so I have started using baby shampoo but it has not helped much. My marriage of 44 years ended in February and I had a lot of stress, looking for a new home, leaving the city I was used to and moving to a new city that was more affordable. This may have been a contributing factor but during my life I have endured many stressful situations, cancer, loss of loved ones etc and my hair never fell out
then. I am taking a supplement called Thyrosmart, if it works I will let you know. In the meantime to all of you ladies and gents who are suffering from this horrible affliction, nil desperandum, surely one of us will find a miracle cure and if that happens, don’t forget to come back and let us know what it was!
Hazel, Try taking vitamin D3 5000 IU daily. There was a woman a little older than you that started experiencing hair loss due to thyroid and her dr put her on D3 because it supports your thyroid and thyroid med. She now has a head of hair that looks like a baby dolls head because it is so thick. Just try it. Give it 6 months to see you see a difference.
Hey i’m 26 yrs old ive been sick on and off for the last couple of years doctors not knowing what it was, then 7 months ago i had a baby. my symptoms got worse then the doctor finally tested my thyroid and it came back extremely under active. ive never had much hair loss until i started medication now it is coming out in clumps. ive told the doctor and she said ive just got to be patient and don’t stress, which i don’t know how i can be when my hair is falling out. i don’t have thick hair as it is and at this rate im going to be bald in no time. im just wondering if anyone knows if it is safe to take any supplements when on medication? and if so which ones can you recommend? i really need to sort this out before i have no hair!
Hi, I was on synthroid my whole life until I switched to Armour a few moths back. I had thin hair, but it was shiny not drab and like straw like it is currently.
I was taken off of Synthroid because I had some cognition problems as well as severe depression. I have been on Armou and my depression has diminished;however, I still have cognition problems, and my hair has become very brittle, my skin feels dryer and I am always thirsty, ( being thirsty is not normal to me at all.) I also have been experiencing joint pain (carpel tunnel) but i feel so tired and look like a scare crow. I did manage to loose some weight, I wont complain about that ever. I am on Armour 120mg and thyroid levels are at 6.51. Anyone know what could be the problem? Am I over medicated? My doc said that 6.51 is a little over, but normal.
Thanks K, I will try the D3 , I’ve nothing to lose and maybe even my hair will stop falling out. I’ll let you know what happens! I try not to stress out about it as I know it will only make me worse.
Hazel, Let me know. I wish u the absolute best!
Hi, I am 50 i started synthroid at 28 change to levothyroxine a year ago I also use rogaine for 15 years, I lost a lot a hair I am depresed that i do not want to meet people. I find out that if I do not use rogaine it is worst and i feel that is not working anymore(is it a great bussiness for them because like a drug you need more more every day or else you became bold) I wish that I never used rogaine I am afraid I stop and my scalp will shine more. Thanks to all the people that shares. I also take prempo. Like everybody I wish to wake up with more hair. I will try to stop the levothyroxine and prempo .
I wasn’t sure what was causing my hair loss. It was so thick before, and had a bit of wave too. I feel so depressed at how baby fine, limp, and just coming out in hand fulls when I wash it in shower. My meds were increased because of my depression. They are Topomax, Celexa, and Trazodone @ bedtime.
Well that made me lifeless so then introduced Wellabutrin in AM. More hair loss! I started to do research, and most sites did not tell me hair loss, or doctor about meds side effect, besides feeling so drugged.
Well, I am cutting all back on own this past month, and I want off the Celexa now, then later the Topomax, and go from there. I want to see my hair again, and really are meds even doing anything, but making me Bald and sad?
Did anyone else have hair loss with meds I am on, and at what dosage? I seem to be OK when I was just on 20mg of Celexa then they took me to 40, I was on 75mg of trazodone then they took me to 150, I was on 200mg split in 2 100mg of Topomax then they took me to total of 400mg in 1day, I was first on 150mg of wellabutinXL then upped to 300. that all happen year ago, and that is when the hair loss shedding, dullness began. And my spirits sank.
Yes….yes….citalopram has got to be the culprit…also pantoprazole, which I have been taking for years…discontinued the citalopram a few weeks ago…hair still coming out furiously…may stop the pantoprazole and see if hair loss goes back to normal…my question is I use the vivelle patch….have doctor that wants to add progesterone…does anyone have advice about this…Dr also put me on biotin and D-3…
So many stories, wow now I don’t feel so alone with this. About 8 months ago my neurologist put me on Topomax for my migraines. 300 milligrams a day, I started noticing that not only was my hair thinning, but it was also loosing its natural wave. I dread taking a bath or shower as I loose so much of my hair!!! I used to complain about my wavy hair, now I have lifeless and limp thin hair that wont hold a bit of curl. (I do not use any heat products other than a hair dryer and a round brush, which used to produce plenty of curl). I just purchased some hair and skin vitamins today, and was wondering if there is anything else I could do. I am scared to change my medications, my migraines are horrible and it took a year to find the right dosage. Any suggestions please?
A week ago, I started on a protocol to get off of Cymbalta. I feel it has more negative side effects for me now than help. It hadn’t occurred to me that the hair loss might be caused by the Cymbalta. I believe I have such improved health now that I will be ok without it. My improvement is significant since eating a raw vegan diet now for 5 months. I can only hope the hair loss is not permanent. I do know that when hair falls out of the follicle, bulb and all, it is usually not temporary. I am very angry, but am holding my emotions till I get off it and give it a chance to regrow. For now I have cut it short and am trying to maintain. Thanks for the site. Lynn
I thought Tagamet was a weak anti androgen. It has been tested in the past to have positive effects on hair growth.
Hi Ladies,
Like most everyone here, I came searching for answers to my very frightening and distressful hair loss. I am 48 and have had lots of thinning ever since beginning peri menopause several years ago. I’m now post menopausal and the hair thinning is getting worse by the day. I’d say that for the past 10 years, what was once a very thick (but fine) head of hair has been getting thinner and thinner. The right side of my head was affected much more than anywhere else. As it got worse and worse, I started to wonder if any medications were causing this. I took roughly 2-4 aspirins a day for many years for tension headaches. I also began reading that, as a blood thinner, it can cause hair loss. As desperately as I needed it, I stopped taking my beloved aspirin cold turkey. That was a few years ago. The hair loss never stopped. I’m borderline high blood pressure and have been prescribed bp meds for it…but I refuse to take it due to the hair loss side effects. The only other med I take is for my tension headaches… I take 2 fioricets a day. I’ve combed the internet looking for any reports of hair loss from this med & can’t find anything. I should say that I have been taking Fioricet off an on for years and only within the last few years started taking a couple a day. My mother had terribly thin hair, but I know for certain it was from 40 years of blood pressure meds and 40 years of aspirin intake for migraines. Every other woman in my family, on both my mother’s side and father’s side, has enough hair for an army. My grandmother, at age 86 before her death, had 10x the hair I have now. I’m now so fearful and just pray that it doesn’t get worse….knowing that it is. I hate looking at my hairline in the mirror because the right side thinning has now progressed to the top and is getting noticeable in the front hairline. I’m so distressed over it and have cried about it….and even dreamed about it! I look at every other woman’s hair and get so sad when I see a woman my age with a beautiful, normal head of hair. I’m so envious and sad. I’m so tired of fighting with trying to style my ever thinning hair into something reasonable. I feel like there will come a day I will just hide in my home, not wanting to go out and be seen. What an awful way to feel.
I am in awe of the many stories regarding hair loss due to various meds. I have been on synthroid & cytomel for several years with no problems. Recently I have noticed increased hair loss. After reading some of the stories really makes me wonder about these drug companies, what is going on with these meds that causes hair loss. Any ideas anyone what & where we can turn, there has to be something done about this terrible problem which seem pretty universal.
My daughter was diagnosed with narcolepsy at age 14. Narcolepsy is a rare condition which causes extreme daytime sleepiness and is usually first diagnosed in one’s 20s. The 2 specialists we use (a sleep disorder/pulmonologist & a neurologist) have yet to find the right medicine to treat all of her symptoms which makes her quality of life not great. My daughter had had very thick hair until they put her on to Provigil, this past January, to try and treat her the narcolepsy. The Provigil caused digestive problems, so my daughter also started taking Prevacid in February. Because all of the medicines she has been on have caused digestive issues, she continues to take the Prevacid. Unbelievably, this past April (4 months after she began the Provigil), at 15 years of age, I noticed she was losing her hair. Since the Provigil did not work, she was switched to a patch form of Concerta in June. The hair loss continued. This Concerta also did not work and in September, she was switched to Zoloft which she continues to take. Although, the Zoloft seems to be helping slightly, her hair loss has continued and since January, she has easily lost over 50% of her hair! When I expressed my concerns to the neurologist, she did not take me seriously. She said that the hair loss wasn’t from the medicine, but blamed it on hereditary saying that thin hair ran in my family. I think it is too coincidental that my daughter’s hair loss started out of the blue after beginning an oral medication. I think if my daughter’s hair was thinner as a result of hormones and hereditary, it should have started over 4 years ago when she reached puberty and started to menstruate. My daughter has just turned 16 and it breaks my heart to see how stringy and thin her hair has become. Since the Zoloft seems to be working, the doctors want to increase her dose. i am not sure what to do. Although, we are desperate for my daughter to have some semblance of a normal life, at what cost? Has anyone had any similar experiences? Thanks for letting me vent.
I take both the generic synthroid and cytomel. I’ve been on them for almost two years (and I can complain about hair loss..but omg my thyroid tsh was at a level of 77 when I began and I could have died. So I for one am GRATEFUL for Synthroid!) Now then, I am also taking Phentermine for weight loss and I have lost 60 pounds over the past six months. I feel great, but now my hair is thinning (and it’s fine to begin with!) I am taking a multi vitamin and more recently, biotin. My dr tested my tsh levels and guess what? Now I am going in the other direction! Turns out the extreme weight loss meant I needed to have my meds lowered. I didn’t experience hair loss until October of this year. Should I quit the phentermine? And I also wonder if I still need the cytomel.
I’ve been on Cymbalta for about a year and I started to notice my hair thinning within six months of use. I currently got off of it about a month ago in December 2011. I used to have really thick hair, but now my hair is thin and you can see through the scalp. I expect my hair to grow thick again after my hair gets out of the resting telogen phase. The cymbalta really messed me up. For me, it caused way more problems than it tried to fix. I’m really upset at myself for taking cymbalta. But I hope and expect my hair to grow back in full thickness and also the weight to drop. I gained 25lbs since on cymbalta.
Nasal sprays can cause facial hair growth and possible scalp hair loss.
About six months ago I started to notice fine hair growth on my face, not the chin and upper lip area, a diffuse growth all over also on the cheek area. I am fair and the hairs are very fine so it is only noticeable in strong light. I mentioned this to a friend and she told me she had the same problem in the past when she used nasal spray. She stopped using it after she developed GLAUCOMA because her doctor thought there could be a connection to the steriods in the nasal spray.
I have been using different prescription and otc nasal sprays on and off for two years for sinus infection so I made a search, and facial hair growth IS a side effect and in “rare” cases hair loss. This is not mentioned as a side effect on the product information of any of the sprays I used.
Hello, my wife is taking Methotrexate, Amytriptiline, Trazedone, MST and Oramorph and is suffering from hair loss. She is getting really upset about it, can anyone recommend any type of strengthening product she could use?
I have very long hair I started 2 drugs in late January and I have had bags of hair come out. The doctor says they are not know to cause hair loss. I am going to another doctor soon a dermatologist but I am sure it is one of those drugs. I did not see them on your list. This doctor is in high demand and saved my life I cant see him for another month. I am hoping he can change my meds it is for a rare disease that I am sure nobody has heard of since most doctors never heard of it. I went to the hospital for special surgery in Manhattan. They were the only ones who could help me. Anyway the drugs are Gabapentin and Meloxicam. Can hair loss caused by meds be reversed?
I started using Cymbalta for depression/anxiety and it was the best psychotropic drug I have been on to alleviate my symptoms plus help with aches and pains of RA; then came the hair-loss. I had LONG thick hair from a child and after 6 months of being on the drug and the 1st time in 30+yrs I cut my hair above my shoulders. My hair was coming out so bad it was leaving chunks of hair everytime I washed it. HOWEVER, my depression/anxiety was gone completely…. along with my thinning hair.
Hi all, I am on loads of meds for copd, epilepsy, high cholestrol, high blood pressure. I suffer with severe pain with an ear problem and cannot take normal pain killers. My doctor started me on MST 6 months ago and have noticed hair loss for about 3 months. Does anyone know if MST (morphine) can cause hair loss?. My doctor laughed when I told him I was showing signs of hair loss. I can see my scalp in several places now. Its frightening.
(UK).
Synthroid is used for thyroid replacement. Thyroid hormone is important, too much or too little is bad for you health. It makes no sense that the correct amount will cause hair loss. On the other hand, for most people, hair loss is normal. So I could conceive that if thyroid replacement makes you more normal, it remotely could cause more normal hair loss.
I started to have hair changes when the doctor started to shave my head for brain surgery. After the surgery, I was dx with Cancer of the tumor in the brain had been grown from the tumor on my Lung. My hair staered falling out after 15 sessions of ragiation to the head. Can I find someone that can help me with leads to doctors in Ohio
I want to know if any of the medications I am taking are causing my hair to come out or is it hereditary. I am taking Metformin, Lisinopril, and Glimepiride.
Rosie Cranford
I was taking serequel for a long time for depression/PTSD and it caused me to feel like a zombie in many ways. My husband was very helpful in getting me to see how much it was affecting my quality of life. I decided, with doctor back up, that I was going to come off of it. The withdrawls were terrible…painfully horrible! I felt like I was dying and I couldn’t sleep or keep my body temperature right or anything. The withdrawls finally subsided though after a long while and I have regained my life. My family is so happy to have me back and I’m happy to have myself back. I work a full time job and I’m a busy mom 🙂 Upon withdrawing from the serequel I started to see some hair loss and it’s continued. I used to have thick hair that stylists would comment about, but not anymore. It’s brittle and thin and I’m really getting worried because I don’t know how to stop it and promote growth. I’ve tried different shampoos and natural vitamins, but I don’t see it helping. I’m scared and don’t want it to continue to the point of needed a wig. Every time I see more hair come out I wonder how much more it will take before I have big bald spots showing. My hair’s so thin and I hate it! Has anyone else been having hair loss problems since getting off serequel?
Lisinopril is the worst drug ever. I started taking it for high blood pressure, and within 1 1/2 months, my hair was coming out heavily. Because I didn’t make the connection, I remained on it for over a year, till I was switched off it and onto aldactone because of its other negative side effects.
I continue to have all the horrible symptoms that all you ladies mention, from the horrible tingling scalp to the hair pain, plus continued thinning. I’m on aldactone, take biotin, use rogaine, have taken sugar out of the diet, and have begun eating super healthy. I also use nizarol 1% as a shampoo. My various unknowledgeable doctors say that it’s because the men in my family are bald, even though I am a 54 year old female. In addition, I have never used hair dye. I understand that people lose hair as they age, but can’t believe that all this agony is the normal way to lose hair. Men never complain about the discomfort of going bald, all they worry about is the look.
I really think that a lot of us are allergic to meds, and our bodies react with low-grade inflammation – in the scalp among other places, and any inflammation makes it impossible for the body to hold hair in place, more less perform any other proper bodily function(s). Doctors are afraid to put themselves out for their patients because they’re afraid of being sued, or they just don’t know the answer and won’t admit it.
Thanks for all the good ideas out there, and I hope that we can continue the dialogue and get some answers. Peace to all.
After doing alot of research there were many sites that listed Tagament/cimetadine as a drug that helped regrow hair.
Loosing hair in the front from naturethroid! Since the day I started taking it I started shedding a lot! I am pregnant and i was hoping to use natural substitution for the thyroid but now I can’t even get off from it due to rising tsh, very scary situation.
can allopurinol causehair loss
My 23 year old developmentally delayed daughter has suffered significant hairloss from depakote. Her doctor recommended vitamins biotin and salinium.
I have been taken these acne pills and im having a lot of hair loss i was wondering could the pills have caused that?
Thanks.
My wife is experiencing hair loss and I don’t know if it could be stress or the cocktail of meds she is taking. My wife has Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. She currently takes Letaris (10mg) Buspirone(10mg) Furosemide(20mg) in the AM. At night she takes Alprazolam(0.5mg) Furosemide(40mg) Trazo-Done(50mg) Adcirca(10mg) and Hydrocodone(325mg as needed for pain) I don’t see these listed but would a combo of these cause any hair loss? Like I said it might be stress. She is only 37 and she has pretty much freaked out about this condition when she was diagnosed. She has noticed lately that when she brushes her hair more and more is coming out into the brush. Any ideas?
I started Warfarin and Levithyroxine Obviously…major hair loss. I so appreciate this blog…I first started using Clinucure and Clinicure vitamins, then Rogaine, now I am starting the D3 5000mg and B50. I just recently started CoQ10. Now, it seems the hair loss is slowing….but that could be because there was not much left after having it cut to my shoulders then even shorter due to thinning. It still looks brittle, but it looks like it is changing for the better just lately. I will update after new vites have set in and I wish everyone well and good luck… I know how sad and confidence hurting this can be. If anyone has any other ideas…please let me know. I will try anything. Oh, and my oldest daughter suggested coconut oil, which I bought today and will try also. God Bless!
I wanted to add a bit more just to maybe help some of the people reading this…cannot hurt. I read use an old T-shirt to dry your hair it is lighter than towels…mine is so short I just put a hand towel around my neck. I have read don’t brush your hair while wet…use a wide toothed comb and only as much as you have to. If possible, use no heat on your hair. If you must, use some heat guard like Iron Guard or other products made for protecting hair from heat…there are many. Also, my daughter said use dry shampoo when you can, because it does seem like we lose more when it is wet. She suggested I wash my hair as rarely as possible, also stating baby powder could be used instead of dry shampoo…I don’t know about the weight of it…she just read it somewhere. So until mine really turns around, I am going to use dry shampoo as much as possible. Do not wear hair up in tight hair styles I have also read, due to pulling and stress on hair. In this blog I have read to not use Pantene products, I was at the beginning but I now wont, I also had a friend who had problems with Dove…I have always thought very highly of both companies products, but during this I will refrain from all use. Also, I have been told to refrain from any shampoos/conditioners with sulfates, as they are very harsh on the hair. I have read that chicken, eggs, almonds, and other foods that contain the elements hair is made up from are good to eat. Drinking plenty of water is always mentioned to me, so I have been doing that also. With the coconut oil, I was told to massage it in for at least five minutes due to stimulating the scalp…then leave it on I have read as little as ten minutes and have read up to all night and then wash it out. Some of these things I was doing, the others I am adding. Good luck to us all. Hope this helps. Any other ideas I haven’t mentioned I would be glad to hear!
I have a picture of myself from 3 yrs ago with a long ponytail and thick hair clipped on top of my head, plus healthy bangs. Have always had a lot of hair but in the past 3 yrs I have had to cut it extremely short and try to disguise my very visible scalp. Doesn’t matter that I’m 80, don’t look it and surely don’t feel it but have been on Metoprolol for yrs, Lexapro for 3 yrs, clonodine at night along w/ .5 alprazolam, and Micardis mornings.
Are they ALL doing this or just one. Hydraz-aline was started 4 wks ago but intense itching ensued so I stopped it. Drs don’t seem to believe you and are not well trained in nutrition at all. We have to be our own medical advocates these days !
This is a most informative site. 80 or not…no one else in the family has this going for them !
Hi Ladies,
I am 29 years old. I started on 200mg. a day of Spironolactone. I had horrible cystic acne that my dermatologist figured out was being caused by my hormones. Don’t we just love hormones? About 7 mos. into taking Spironolactone, I started to notice that my hair stopped growing…then it started thinning & then it started falling out. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, so I kept taking the medication. I did research online & found that other people taking this medication have also experienced hair loss.
I decided I’d rather endure the acne than to continue to see my hair fall out, so I stopped taking the medication 2 mos. ago. From what I’ve read, most people who experience drug-induced hair loss, eventually go on to grow perfectly healthy hair. Since I took the medication for almost 2yrs., I’m assuming that my hair will take several months to grow back. Right?
Thanks to everyone for their support! Hair loss caused because of a medication is a horrible thing to endure, but I know their are other people experiencing this along side me. I went out and purchased a wig that I wear when I’m out with friends & it looks natural…just a way to help me get through this tough time.
I recently had a breast lift and a silicone imlant and a patrial lower face life and a foireheard brow life. They gave me a chin strap for 2 weeks my hair fell out in gobs like I could make a partial wif for the hair on the top of my head. is the hair losss for, the chin strap of something else they gave me for the surgery?
Two years ago I was taking Pentasa for small bowel ulcer, which I understand is a good anit-inflamatory drug for this. I started losing large amount of hair, lots each time I brushed, washed it, was feeling very thin. I had always had thick hair (74 yrs). My gastro dr said right away to stop taking the Pentasa, so he must have known it could cause hair loss. He looked at my scalp and said he could see NO new hair coming in. Usually you lose some naturally and some is always growing in. I thought it might be another drug or a combination of drugs but after stopping the Pentasa, the hair slowly started to come back in and felt much thicker and no more loss by the end of that year. It did take a long time to come to grow out – at first I just had these little spouts of new hair sticking up- but yay! Now I am taking Cymbalta and a statin, and I think I am losing it again! I am also taking Synthroid and verapamil (for a long time) with no hair loss that I was aware of. Maybe the newer drugs just pushed it all over the edge,
Hi all! I just wanted to add the biologic Remicaide to the list. My hair fell out after taking and hasn’t been the same since! I wish all of you luck and I hope this issue of hair loss is eradicated soon.
Has anyone experienced hair loss with Flagyl, Adderall, or just a lot of stress?
I’ve been taking Flagyl for almost two months and Adderall for a year. I’ve also had a lot of stress over the last year. I just started noticing hair loss a month ago. The sides seems to have empty round areas where there used to be hair and the crown is Significantly thinning. I am only 33 and pretty healthy. I would greatly appreciate any advice if anyone has experienced hair loss with taking Flagyl or Adderall. I know stress would be a culprit but hopefully now. Thank you.
I am so thankful for this site and to read that other women are experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss. My hair loss started almost a year ago when I decided to come off Paxil CR for anxiety. The withdrawal effects were so bad they switched me to Cipralex, which I stayed on for 6 months. During the whole 6 month period I lost my hair in clumps. I’ve always taken pride in my hair but didn’t wear it down, EVER as I was so paranoid about hair coming out everywhere.
I decided to come off meds and my hair loss stopped 1.5 months after. However, my anxiety returned with a vengeance and I had to go on something again. This time I tried Zoloft, and within a week my hair was falling out again. How are we supposed to get over depression and anxiety if the drugs are causing these horrible side effects? There has to be another way. I am so eager to write Oprah, the Doctors channel etc. to put an end to this. There must be a mild anxiety medication that doesn’t cause these horrible effects. Let me know if anyone has found anything. I know everyone’s body’s are different, but from these posts, it looks like all types of antidepressants cause this. Why hasn’t there been one come out that solves this horrible side effect? Good luck to all, and happy healthy hair searching.
Everyone is talking about the loss. But I can’t find one post about a solution. If you are young have lost hair due to taking medications what is the therapy to get it all back?
Adderall also can cause hairloss. Well, most ADHD stimulants cause hair loss.
All my life, people always commented about how beautiful and thick my hair was and I was always so proud of that. Over the years, my hair would shed a lot but it usually only ended up in my brush because I was hard on my hair when I styled it because I have a lot of cow licks and weird waves here and there. but in the last year or so, I had noticed that my hair was shedding a lot more than usual. When I took a shower, Id have to literally rinse my arms and hand an extra amount just to get all the hair that had fallen out off my body. And when I cleaned the drain, I collected enough hair to make a small animal! Even though it seemed like I was losing a lot more hair than usual, it wasnt making much of a difference when I looked in the mirror… my hair style always looked the same as before…until about 8-10 months ago. It was like all of a sudden I woke up one morning and noticed that I had lost SO MUCH HAIR over night! And it’s gotten worse and worse and it’s starting to look terrible now as well. I thought at first it was because of menopause… I am 56 and I am at the end of that phase of my life and I just figured that the menopause had something to do with it. Someone told me that it could be my thyroid so I had that checked and it was normal. the only other thing that was different in my life is the fact that a few years ago, I developed terrible allergies to trees, grasses and dust mites. I never had environmental allergies in my life so I started to take over the counter allergy meds like Claritin and Allegra but they didnt work very well for me. then I tried Zyrtec D and BINGO, it worked like a charm! I have been taking it daily for the last two years and as I am searching the internet for hair loss issues in women, I am reading more and more from other people who have been taking Zyrtec and complaining about hair loss. So I am now convinced that this is most likely my problem too. Has anyone out there found any SOLUTION to this problem other than just not taking the meds we all seem to need to take?? Do vitamins or Biotin or Rogaine work? Is this just temporary hair loss and it will grow back or is this permanent???
I’ve been on Coumadin for 10 yrs now. Please, how do I reverse the damage? Is there an alternative to this? Thank you
I have been on Olmetec for about one year now for blood pressure. I have noticed recently that I am shedding a lot of hair. I did mention this to the Pharmacy, they said they have never heard of this happening, but there is always a 1% chance with anything.
Thank goodness my hair has always been very thick, but I do not want to loose anymore. I am off to the Dr on Friday, pertaing to this matter.
Has any one else using this drug sufferd with hair loss.
I would love to see more storys as to how people sloved this condition. Thank you.
I have never had real thick hair, but with my hair loss I have lost so much hair that I have to wear a wig at all times when I go out. I am at a loss as to how to stop this and do not want to end up bald. Any suggestions? Eileen
I fully agree with – Kai William December 7, 2007 at 7:36 pm- comment on Synthroid. I was on Prothyroid before I was put on Synthroid in the USA. since taking Synthroid I started getting massive hair loss, reacuring in cycles. hairs that would fall out never fully grew back, than the next hair loss cycle would beging and the same again, hairs never grow back again. also I have massive weight gain and water retention all over my entire body, arms and legs, face. these symptoms never stopped being on synthroid even with different doses. after getting of synthroid and being on a different medication (prothyroid) I would start losing some weight but never again be the same as before. my hairs never grew back, I am still years later suffering the consequences of taking synthroid for almost three years. I never revcovered from synthroid. endocrinologist, dermatologist, gyn doctors cant find a reason of what is going on other than that I went on synthroid.
treatments: rogain did not work for me at all, birth control pills like jasmine or jaz made me feel great, got rid of a little bit of water retention but gave me bad cramping and pulling pain all over my legs and body. vitamins didn’t work, made my nails grow but nothing else. shampoos like nioxin and the scalp treatment of nioxin number 3 did work for me, well at least the hair loss stopped, didn’t make hair grow back or so, but did stop the hair loss.
Over acid production of your system might be looked at too. Stress factors.
but sorry to say I did not found out exactly what triggers my hair loss. but this time it doesn’t stop with the regular things I would do to stop it. so I have no clue of why my hair is still falling out in a over 3 month cycle.
PCOS? Iron? Scalp and hair shampoo irritation?
nexium?
i take metformin lisinop can this cause hair to thin
reading all these stories is heartbreaking, been there, am still there. planning my suicide if it doesnt stop. i have reserached the crap out of hairloss. i have been experiencing this for 19 years but not until the internet did i start getting clues and anwsers. i may have the answer. i just started bioidentical estradiol/estriol. i was taking cytomel and quit it about a week ago. ive only been taking the estrogen a week also. the cytomel, i think was causing severe insomnia, anxiety, racing thoughts, like i am on lsd constantly, its terrible and i cant wait for it to get out of my system. i am still taking hydrocortisone and still having loud heart pounding. i was/am taking hydrocortisone to tolerate taking the cytomel. i am also supplumenting iron, 150 mg a day. it took me 2.5 years to raise my iron levels to 41% saturation, thats where the ideal stop the thyroid madness people say it shoild be. i even question their methods? they seem to think everyone has a thyroid problem. in the meantime, the past two years, ive gone gluten free, as gluten can cause hypothyroidism/ hashimotos antibodies, ive quit a 25 year long coffee drinking habit because it can ramp cortisol, then drop it down and cause sleep disruptions with the circadian rhythem, i quit eating sugar as that can cause blood sugar variations, ie, trying to sleep, you wake up humgry in a panic or cold sweat, thats low blood sugar, cortisol helps regulate blood sugar levels, the waking up is adreneline putting you in fight or flight mode. try and eat every 2-3 hours, i eat no bread. i just put a sprite shower filter on my shower and now i only lose like 1 hair per shower, no joke! look up chlorine, chlorine is a poison and they are putting it our water. chloriNe opposes chloriDe, chloriDe is good, chloriNe(bleach) is bad. we are basically drinking bleach! when potassium goes into the cell, sodium stays outside the cell, it produces chloride but if chlorine is opposing that, you cant hold onto water, hence dehydration, dry hair, symtoms of dehydration, im sure many have those symtoms. just another theory. im no chemist or doctor. and think of everything that is made with tap water! i drink spring water. im even questioing this push to drink 8 glasses of water a day? i pee so much, so much more than when i was a kid/ teen. my problems started when i turned 19, and started drinking coffee, made from tap water. before that, i drank soda and milk. i NEVER drank water, when i was little, i distinctly saying to my mom when i tried water for first time, i dont like it, it tastes funny. so is flouride which is in the water and psych drugs and who knows what other drugs? hitler used flouride to make jews docile and compliant. look up the hormone conversion chart, the pathways in which hormones, which are made from chloresterol, are made in the body. chlosterol is fat, so eat good fats to make hormones. think about when you were a teen, thick hair, and for me, flawless skin. estradiol and estriol do NOT convert to dht, which is the cause of hair loss and acne. by what mechanism thyroid meds cause hair loss, idk, whether they boost testsoeterone production, that would be my guess? just a guess. lifting weights causes a stress response, releases cortisol which convrts to testosterone then to dht, dht, basically sebum, or oil. thyroid controls metabolism, how? idk but the more muscle, which is bult from testosterone, the more calories we burn. i have lifted weights for 25 years and had acne for 25 years. i stopped that. i will start again, MILDLY, just to maintain my body. i will quit the HC but dont want my body to freak out with too many changes. the idea is to oppose the male hormones with estrogen but not too much. when i took progesterone it made me break out, depressed and tired but did nothing to help me sleep. progesterone CAN convert to testosterone, the kind that will convert to dht, which is when you take something with progestreone in it, you may experience hair loss and acne. estrogen is the feel good hormone. as far as it regrowing hair? idk, look at pregnant women, it supposedly prolongs the hair growth phase. as for the person who asked about a nautural anxiety reliever, magnesium or calcium may help calm the nerves, ie finda FOOD that has it in it, and EAT your vitamins. i havent expeimented enough in this area to advise, i take magnesium and it makes me tired, it doesnt put me to sleep. though without the stimulant cytomel, i will try again. the idea is balance! this is my personal ongoing experience, i have lived this, it is the Truth. i hope it ends soon in success of a thickass head of hair. i always wanted long purple hair, but…my hair has broken off at my temples. and i have tried to do everything right! i should NOT be losing my hair. something sinister is amist but i am stronger and a much more positive force than it, be it in this human form or in my death, if this kills me, you can be certain, i will find out the cause and deliver it to you guys! my goal is toraise my estrogen and if i notice side effects of estrogen dominance, i will stop it. i dont need a lab for that, f them. the goal is off ALL drugs. we dont need them people. agree with the person that mentioned some kind of lawsuit against big phramacedical companies. i have a feeling there is gonna be payback and its not gonna be in the monitary form. the phramacedical industry is using us as human guinea pigs and im here to say, the end! may every last one of you be blessed with your former superthick crowning glory of hair and be at peace. in Jesus loving name, amen!
I too am experiencing unending hair loss. More so in the last couple years but more noticably the last year. It’s probably been going on a lot longer but I didn’t pay much attention since I had thicker long hair. I have been on and off so many drugs too that it’s hard to keep track of! So, tonight I asked my boyfriend to see if any of the drugs I’m currently on caused hair loss since its gotten so much worse. I just cut my hair above my shoulders from down my back thinking it would look fuller – NOT. Yes, thryoid med (Levothyroxine) was at the top of the list and Zoloft too. My other drugs didn’t show they caused hair loss but I have been on so many drugs during the years that are listed here, My mother has been experiencing the same thing for years and doctors told her nothing she was on would be causing it. Yet, I see blood thinners and thyroid meds are on her list too and probably more meds that I don’t know. Someone asked about Lyrica. It caused me great hair loss when I was on it 4 years ago and in a very short period of time so I got off of it right away. Until recently I took Effexor XR for 16 years and didn’t know it could cause hair loss (is that correct for others?). I didn’t think I noticed if it did. I now take Biotin and Vitamin B to help but I’m not seeing any improvement unless it is helping from it falling out more! I agree that we should do something collectively to bring this to the attention of all. I am willing to participate in any action and/or contacting Oprah if any of you are going to do this. May help be found for all of us before it’s too late. God Bless
Hi Everybody:
Given the sheer number of posts, it’s clear this is a big problem. People and hair cutters have always commented on the beauty and thickness of my hair; in fact, when young I was a hair model. Now my hair is falling out at an alarming rate: it is everywhere, bathtub, pillows, clothes. I was surprised to find that Lopessor/ Metroprolol (same drug) causes hair loss. I took myself off of Lipitor and Lexapro and , given what I have read elsewhere, esp about Lipitor, I am so glad I did (doctors know). Recently, I have been doing alot of research about vitamin supplements. Having begun taking some, carefully chosen after intense research, I am convinced that within a year or less, I will be off most, if not all, of the eight drugs I am on. Already, I need less. This might mean more if you knew I have become crippled and homebound. And I am getting close to 70. And, I tell you, I expect to be off of drugs and once again able to live, not just survive. Lastly, since some vitamin mfgs don’t bother to include what their labels claim, but also include carcinogens, you must research before choosing which vitamin supplements to buy. Good luck–and do this. You will be amazed at what ailments will be in your past. BTW, I have no affiliation with any companies, none.
P.S . : I have been on Lopressor for some time. I have become allergic to so many medications, I am not sure what we will be able to do to replace it because of hair loss.
Oh, one last thing. In my research, I have learned that many, if not most, FDA approved drugs routinely given patients have devastating side effects, some of them developing only with time. My opinion is that ALL drugs are to be avoided unless it is impossible to get off of them. Discomfort is not a good enough reason to slowly destroy your health or possibly your life. There’s reason why so many drug ads say that death is sometimes a “side effect”.
I started reading some of the many posts and am glad to see I am not alone…BUT wonder where do I go next with this condition. I have not been to doctor as this condition is pretty new for me at age 48. I have been placed on inhalers and steroids for asthma within the last 6 months. According to the doctors, these meds should not be causing hair loss. So I examine my life and with a resounding YES, I have been in an extremely stressful world at work.! I have grown up with very fine hair so losing the little amount I’ve had has been devastating for me in the last 3 months. I have been trying products, based on advise from my hair salon… But I am not seeing any positive results. I look back at pictures of myself from just 6 months ago and all I want to do is cry. Hair loss is not an issue on either my mom or dad’s side of the family… I know this condition is more common in women than talked about… But I wish it WAS talked about more! Glad there is following on blogs and websites like these for some comfort.
I wanted to know if you had any thoughts on if benzodiazepines could cause hair loss? It’s been the only thing I can say I started about the same time as the hair loss started. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!!
About 4 yrs ago I started taking Lipitor for cholesterol and soon noticed that the hair on my legs and arms disappeated. Last year I thought my hair seemed thinner (always been thick) then in July noticed that hair in front of ears and across forehead had disappeared and front of scalp had thinned noticeably. I did not notice any hai on pillow or brush so assume that it just stopped growing. Saw doctor and had blood tests for all things but only found low white cell count and high iron levels.I had read lipitor could possibly cause hair loss so I stopped taking it. Last blood count was better but no hair has regrown
I used to have shocking migraines i had one every day for 2 months and was in hospital they put me on topomax and i lost 70% of my hair of course they said it wasnt the drug but it was, i also had loss of cognitive function and slurred speech
I changed my diet, eliminated gluten, additives and dairy and now i only get one a month. Natural food does help a lot of people.
Marisol if you are still on this forum did you find anyone else who had hairloss from GLUTATHIONE or CELLGEVITY my hair has just started falling out again and it coincides with when i started taking this.
I am unsure why since January I have lost close to half my hair. The Dr tested for thyroid problem and it came back normal. My finger nails are growing long. A year ago I did lose my job and I have diabetes. The doctor is unsure what is causing it since none of my meds have hair loss as a side affect. My doctor has prescribed Rogaine to help my hair grow. He feels that maybe due to having lost my job and for almost 10 months I wasn’t taking my meds that my system is out of sync. I have researched and haven’t found anything I feel pertains to me. My husband noticed a couple red bumps. Any suggestions are welcome.
Hi,
I have been taking erythromycin for about 3-4 months for acne. My doctor told me that I will probably have to take it for at least a year. But since taking it, I realise my hair has been getting thinner and that I loss handfuls of hair everytime in the shower. Is there any link between hair loss and erythromycin?
Many thanks
My heart went into a-fib while I was 7 months pregnant, and I was prescribed 20mg of Metoprolol during the rest of my pregnancy, then was switched to 40mg Nadolol which I have been taking for almost 3 years. I discovered last year that my hair had drastically thinned, but when it started I cannot determine. I was never informed of ANY side-effects of a beta-blocker other than lightheaded/dizziness until the body adjusts. My gut tells me it’s got to be the beta-blockers & also the cessation of the oral contraceptive I was on for 10 years before getting pregnant. Of course the dermatologist I saw last month dismissed my claims since I didn’t notice the loss within 3-6 months of taking the scripts. :-/ I’ve given up my beta-blocker and I’m going the supplement/clean eating route. Taking biotin, saw palmetto, liquid D3 and fish oil will hopefully help. It’s just too soon to tell now.
On an aside, I don’t think many doctors (in the US) truly care since they get kickbacks from the pharmaceutical companies when prescribing medications. Just because something is FDA approved doesn’t mean I will trust it.
Would like to know if anyone has experienced hair loss
taking Nuvigil 150 mg daily
Hello everyone! I noticed a ton of hair loss after I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 and went on those meds. I’m currently taking Glumetza and Januvia. Do any of you take those medicines and are able to link your hair loss to being on those two medicines. I had a very full head of wavy hair only to have a third of what i had and all the curl is gone. i have a dry looking stringy mess. i’ve had my stylist take off what i thought were the dead ends. wrong. I’m going to see if i can get these meds changed. i’m so beyond distressed. makes me relive my chemo days! I’m also on heart meds and some others, but i’ve been on them for years. i didn’t have the hairloss until i started these two diabetes meds 🙁
i sure could use some encouragement!
Hi, I’m 58yrs old and have been hypothyroid since 17. I have been taking Synthroid 175 for quite a while, but have been on Diltiazem 180 for 2 yrs now and have lost almost 75% of my hair in the back of my scalp. Went to a dermotologist, injected me for (7) months and nothing happened. Im loosing so much hair in blotches causing a severe alopecia. Have tested for my thyroid, dr says levels of my tsh, t3 and t4 are ok. What throws me ofrece about this situation is that I had an ANA test done which came out positive 1.40 and speckled. My doctors say It’s stress, year right!!! I say It’s the diltiazem. The symptoms I have are itchy scalp, frequent headaches, cannot sleep at night. My endocrinologist put me on Rogaine, been using it for a month, have not seen results yet. Does anyone know if a scalp biopsy reveals if the problem comes from a medication. I’m really confunde, don’t know where to go. HELP!
Hi, so sad to read all these. I have been in zoloft, but 4 month ago dose went up to 150 mg and seroquel was added. I hv noticed lots of hair coming off after shower and brushing. I increased my water intake. Have been using Nexium 23 leavein treatment along with Husk leve in conditioner. My hair looks better, but still losing. Called Pfizer, someone in India answered and said sorry I am losing hair. Thats it!!!!!
I have been taking Black Currant Oil 1000mg twice a daiy along with Biotin 5000 tab once a day. I wanna taper myself off both meds. Thanks for this site.
I’m in my 60s and have recently started losing hair it seems weekly!
Have lost hair a lot on both sides in the front. Drs. seen basically say
It’s normal at my age! I don’t think so. It really scares me at the rate list!
Would love to try anything that will stop loss or some growth.
Would love suggestions on a shampoo and conditioner that works
well !! Thank you
Topomax. Holy cow. I lost over half of my hair volume and 19 months later, it STILL hasn’t grown back. It’s so depressing. I used to have so much big curly hair, and now I’m left with this limp scraggly mess.
Well, I have high cholesterol and was prescribed Trilipix, took it for a couple of years and literally lost AT LEAST half of my hair…It happened pretty subtly until the last couple of months, gobs ended up in my hairbrush. I immediately took myself off of it (after reading from others who had experienced the same). I came across an add for Viviscal, a supplement for hairloss. I thought, “What the heck, I’ll give it a shot even if it’s nothing more than a placebo”. Without exaggeration, within a few months I had noticeable regrowth. It’s been about a year, my hair is almost back to it’s fullness, but the texture isn’t the same. There’s not a doubt in my mind that Trilipix caused the hair damage, even though hairloss isn’t listed as a side effect.
Hi Andi. I also have that kind of hair loss and have begun taking Viviscal Professional. I’m happy for you that it is helping and hope that with time you are comfortable and back to happy hair. I’ve only taken 1.5 months of it but the main explosion of hair loss seems to have trickled down and now my hair, which was lush and wavy, is limp, breaking and very, very fine. As if each strand is only an eighth of its previous width. It’s very horrible, as you know, but I’m heartened to ehar the Viviscal helps you and hope it will help me as well. I plan to write back every month and discuss my results. I’ve searched the internet and few sites have posts with consistent reports of ongoing results (or lack of them). I hope this will help others, even though of course, all our body situations are different. It helps to hear other people’s experiences to formulate our own course of action. Best wishes.
in the last month or so, I’ve loss a considerable, amount of hair! Specially in the back, where I have a good size scar, from childhood; so , no hair there. checked my drugs; I’m on, Lisinopril; atenolol and sertroline. Is there any hope, being on so many??
I have been on Cymbalta for fibromyalgia and it has given me my life back; however, it is thinning my hair. I am now starting to feel embarrassed about my hair being so thin. I am torn because it is so effective and I was in horrible pain prior to Cymbalta. I do not know what to do. I am too scared to get off of it and also afraid about the hair loss. My friend’s doctor told her that it “couldn’t be the Cymbalta” because clearly he/she is not taking it and experiencing it, but it is real. Some people still believe fibromyalgia is a “made up” disorder and is all in your head (no pun intended), but I have experienced both and they are, unfortunately, real.
Right now I just want to cry. My doctors have me on synthroid Cymbalta topamax & aldactone. Had a scalp biopsy done and it came back hormones were causing my horrific hair loss. Lost half of my hair and even more on top and sides. I have had hair loss for years due to thyroid disease but was never told by dermatologist that these other medications could also cause hair loss
I am 70 years old and have just experienced hair thinning. My hair is my Pride and Joy, as I’m sure it is with most of you, plus I spend a fortune taking care of it. Until I read these forums, I never knew Synthroid could cause hair loss. Plus I insisted my doctor raise my dose from 150 mg. to 225 mg. Now I’m really noticing excessive thinning on the crown (you can see my scalp) and the sides and back feel thinner. My hair used to be so thick I needed a haircut every 2 weeks. The meds I am on right now are: Amlodipine Besylate (10 mg) – been on this drug for about 20 years same dose; Hydrochlorothiazid (25 mg.) – just started taking this drug for about 5 mos. now;Pramipexole (4.5) (for restless leg syndrome) – been on for about 20 yrs.; Synthroid 225 mg. (but I trimmed it down to 200mg.) – was switched from Levinthoroxide (generic) about 1 yr. ago; Atorvastatin (10 mg) on for about 10 yrs.; Metformin (100 mg) – just started a couple of months ago. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto Disease, had a underactive thyroid, then it went into overactive; have high blood pressure; high cholesterol; PTSD; asthma and recently diagnosed as a type-2 diabetic. So much for the “Golden years”!!! I started to panic and went on Rogaine, but I have gotten worse. Seeing my Internist this Tuesday and will get a Dermatologist also. Seeing my Endocrinologist next Thursday. Come to think of it, the hair loss did get worse on the increased dose of Venlafaxine (I am going to wean back down to my 150 mg.). I’m so glad that I found this site and I will pray for all of us – hair loss, especially in women, should not be taken lightly (so much for not being sexist, but it’s true). Let’s keep helping each other, as we always seem to do in life anyway. Until then, “Hair’s Looking at You, Babe”! (Forgive me sordid humor but if you can’t laugh …)
I’ve been taking Lisinopril for 1 year May 28, 2016. They started me on 20 mg when I was hospitalized for high blood pressure and heart attack/stroke like symptoms. After I was released my Dr. raised me to the 40 mg almost immediately at my follow up appointment.
In the last 11 months I have lost almost 60% of my very thick, healthy, very long hair. I am going bald around my hairline and the top of my head, and my hair falls out in clumps. I am scared to wash it or even brush it any more.
There is nothing else causing it, the only contributing factor is the Lisoprinil, as again, I have a picture that was taken of my glorious hair right before I started taking the Lisinopril.
I have only just learned that Lisoprinil causes hair loss by beginning research on the internet. I am so distressed. I’ve cried and cried over the loss of my hair and now to find out that it is linked to my blood pressure medication?! This isn’t fair. I don’t even want to go out in public any more! Why do they not tell you these things? I do not mean to sound vain, but my hair was my pride and glory. Most women know what I mean. Female pattern baldness does not run in our family. I just cannot believe this!
Over the years I’ve been on birth control pills thyroid medication blood pressure medication and anti-depressant medication Effexor that have all caused hair loss I don’t know if it’s the medication itself or The fillers that they use Effexor also causes me an extreme form of sinusitis
Hello,
You don’t mention pain medications ?
Thank you ,Carol
I’ve been trying to find out if Metformin causes hair loss. I am taking it and losing hair. My friend is taking it and her hair is very thin and my ex sister-in-law has lost all of her hair and is now wearing a wig. Any information is appreciated. My physician said she’s never heard of this.
I recently noticed clumps of short hair and initially thought I had hair breakage. Now I’m realizing it’s my hair growing in a way I haven’t seen since I was pregnant. I tried to figure out what had changed several months ago (around the time the hair would have started growing). I have been on anti-depressants for over 20 years. Approximately 1 year ago I reduced my dosage and now I’m completely off of them. My last antidepressant was venlafaxine.
From experience I have lost hair in clumps from the diabetes insulin Novolog. The week after I stopped it, my hair stopped falling out. My Endo chronologist refuse to believe me that it caused hair loss because it was not written in stone as a side effect so I fired her. After I stopped the NovoLog I was still on Levemir and met foreman and my numbers were never better than when I took control of my own destiny. However now I started taking Robaxin for a back injury that a chiropractor caused and I’ve just had back surgery. I have just noticed since taking Robaxin my hair is falling out again so I will now discontinue that drug. The moral of the story is your doctor doesn’t know everything your body will tell you what is wrong .
I have been on Met Forman for 14 years and I did never lose hair from it. But everybody is different so you can’t discount that that’s why you’re losing your hair
I have been on Coumadin over 12 years. I have lost about half my hair which never was thick but presentable. I tried the new blood thinners & same or worse side effects so returned to Coumadin. It has stabilized now & on very low dose. Drink pomegranate juice & has lowered my blood pressured& my cholesterol. I too M hoping it will help with alopecia. I M a senior but still want my hair…hoping it will stop shedding.
Hi
I am 49 years old and a year ago I started losing tons of hair due to a combination of Metoprolol and Prozac. I was also under a lot of work stress at the time too. I did notice though the hair loss was most severe over the first few months and then it slowed down but was still happening. I quit the Prozac six months ago and the BP med 3 months ago. The hair loss has stopped and it seems like it is regrowing. I do not know if it was a combination of the drugs or one or the other causing the hair loss. I have now started taking Zoloft and I will write about that experience as it relates to hair loss in case I can possibly help anyone with a med decision.
I am very well aware that stress anxiety and the medications the people take for it one of the side effects will be hair loss not so much when you’re younger mine started when I was older but one thing I am noticing that maybe nobody else has is the migraine situation I developed migraines when I was 25 and I am more than twice that age now has nothing to do with my menstrual cycle so therefore they didn’t stop when I went into menopause I still don’t know what causes them the doctors don’t know what causes them now that I’m older it seems that Barometric pressure is a biggie but I’m curious if all of these things do not connect in someway
The best thing for falling out hair is silica it really works it must be the liquid the original one which is pure silica after four weeks my hair stopped falling outb otherwise I would be balled I am on blood thinners good luck it works
Hi my question is this: I have been on sertraline for 20 years and never had a problem with hair loss until now so I am not sure that this is what is causing my hair loss, but in the last 3 to 4 months I have lost so much hair, I went to my pcp and he did blood work with some abnormal results but my vitamins, minerals and thyroid are fine. I am a 61 year old woman that is about 5 years post menopause. Please help!,!!
I have been taking Naproxen for migraines religiously for the past nine months…that is about the time that my hair started falling out. Along that about that ssme time, I was diagnosed with MS and placed on Copaxone shots 3 x per week. The makers of Copzxone asure me that they have never had anyone complain of hair loss. If it is Naproxen, will my hair grow back once I stop the medication? I have always had a beautiful, shiny, full head of hair and now if I don’t find what is causing my hair loss, I will be bald within a couple of months. My hair is coming out by the brushful every week and has gotten dry and brittle. Please tell me what I need to do to find out what is causing this to happen.
Some of my problem I believe is through genes but I have taken synthroid for longer than I care to admit and in 2005 I had thyroid cancer. I have tried the makeup on the top of my head, sprays, toppik as it is very thin. The back of my head is ok. My problem is my hair is mixed with white, gray and blonde and all wigs or wiglets don’t look natural color for me and I have tried the bangs but I wear my hair toward the right side so bangs aren’t for me. I have tried wigs but they are all so full with hair that it doesn’t look natural with my hair. I am 72 but really want something that looks natural on the top to blend with my color. Any help?
On 3/26/2021, My mom and I had the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. My hair and my mom’s hair started falling. On 4/23/2021, my mom and I had the second dose. My hair is gone by 80%. My mom hair is gone by 75%. What can we do? I don’t want to wear a wig.
Why I had the second dose of the vaccine if I knew what was happening? Because I was more afraid of getting the Covid-19.
I have been massaging my scalp with Avocado oil, Coconut oil, Tea tree oil, and Argan oil. I am waiting for result. Any suggestion?