![]() | We all know that medications are important for the treatment of disease and to ease pain and inflammation but did you know that certain medications could actually play a role in hair... |
We all know that medications are important for the treatment of disease and to ease pain and inflammation but did you know that certain medications could actually play a role in hair loss?
Medications that can cause hair loss include those used to treat acne such as accutane, those used to thin blood such as coumadin, panwarfin, and sofarin as well as the injectible heparin. Medications used to treat epilepsy and depression can also cause hair loss. The medications commonly causing hair loss that are used to treat depression are prozac, paxil, nafranil, norpramin, ventyl, and vivactil.
Did you know that even diet pills such as amphetamines could cause hair loss?
Medications used to treat glaucoma such as timoptic eye drops, timoptic ocudose and timoptic XC can also cause hair loss.
Medications used to treat many heart ailments such as inderal, inderal LA, lopressor, and tenormin can also cause hair loss.
It is also surprising that something that is so commonly used such as birth control pills can cause hair loss. Other hormonal medications such as those used in hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), prednisone and other drugs such as steroids can cause hair loss.
Another commonly used group of drugs, those used to relieve pain or to reduce the swelling form injuries such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and arthritis medications can all cause hair loss. The drugs used in chemotherapy can also cause hair loss such as folex, methotrexate, and rheumatex.
Medications used to treat certain diseases and disorders such as parkinson’s disease, thyroid disorders, and ulcers can also cause hair loss.
It is important that if you are taking any of these medications that you listen carefully when your doctor tells you about the medications including dosage and side effects. If you experience unusual hair loss, notify your doctor immediately so that adjustments or changes can be made to your medication therapy. It is important that you not make any adjustments on your own to your medications without your doctor’s advise.
Typically once the medication is stopped or changed the hair loss will stop. Eventually the hair growth cycle will continue. If not, your doctor can help you to add medications or therapy to your treatment plan that will stimulate improved blood circulation to the scalp area, which may stimulate hair growth.
Although medication is clearly important to the treatment of medical conditions it can also have side effects such as hair loss which can be concerning to individuals who care about appearances. Discussing your concerns with your doctor or dermatologist can help to find solutions to any problems that the medications can have on hair loss for you. Medication can aid by healing and providing pain relief but it can also have adverse side effects such as hair loss. Understanding the role medication has in hair loss will help you to deal with this problem.