Medications That Lead to Hair Loss in Men and Women
Are You Taking Medications That Cause Hair Loss?
Some of the most common prescriptions are medications that cause hair loss. Are you taking one of these ten prescription drugs?
Hair loss is one of the most common complaints among men and women worldwide. Approximately 85 percent of men experience thinning hair by age 50.
This condition can have a multitude of causes, from stress and bad eating to alopecia. Hormonal imbalance, such as those occurring during menopause and pregnancy, may cause hair loss too.
What most people are not aware of is that certain medications can contribute to this problem.
In fact, hair loss is a common side effect of diuretics, beta blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, and more. Some of these drugs inhibit hair growth, while others throw your hormones out of balance.
Interested to find out more? Let’s take a closer look at five medications that cause hair loss:
1. Beta Blockers
These drugs are commonly prescribed for the treatment for high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and angina. Sometimes, they are recommended to those suffering from anxiety or hyperthyroidism.
If you’re taking Inderal, Betaloc, Emcor, or other beta blockers, you may experience hair loss. These meds increase the number of resting follicles, interfering with the hair growth cycle.
2. Arthritis Medications
More than 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis. This number is estimated to reach 78 million by 2040.
Considering these facts, it’s no wonder why arthritis medications are so widely prescribed. Humira, Enbrel, Arava, and Rheumatrex are just a few examples.
Even though these drugs may relieve joint pain and stiffness, they carry serious side effects.
Methotrexate, for instance, causes hair loss in three to 10 percent of psoriasis patients and one in three people who take the drug for other conditions. It not only affects the hair follicles but also inhibits the absorption of folate, a nutrient that supports hair growth.
3. Antidepressants
Approximately 12.7 percent of people over age 12 were taking antidepressants between 2011 and 2014. The number of prescriptions has only increased ever since.
While it’s true that antidepressants can save lives, their drawbacks shouldn’t be overlooked.
These drugs may cause hair loss in one or more areas of the scalp in a relatively short time. The longer you use them, the higher the risk.
4. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
This may come up as a surprise, but Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs may cause hair loss by forcing the hair roots to prematurely enter into a resting state.
Some of these drugs are more likely to affect your hair than others. Those containing oxaprozon, ketoprofen, fenoprofen, diclofenac, and celecoxib are the worst offenders.
5. Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptives alter your hormone levels, preventing an unwanted pregnancy. The downside is that they come with a myriad of side effects, from hair loss and fluid retention to weight gain.
These meds may cause hair loss in women who are genetically predisposed to this condition or who are especially sensitive to certain hormones in the pill.
The same goes for vaginal rings, skin patches, hormone injections, and other birth control methods.
Should You Stop Taking Medications That Cause Hair Loss?
These are just a few of the medications that cause hair loss and make it worse. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to stop taking these drugs.
If you have a heart condition, blood disorders, depression, and other life-threatening ailments, it’s not recommended to end the treatment.
What you can do is to consult a dermatologist or other medical professionals. They can recommend you shampoos, topical treatments, and other products that stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth. Also, avoid taking these meds unless you really need them.
If you’re struggling with severe hair loss, consider scalp micropigmentation. This revolutionary technique can add density to thinning hair, create a sharp hairline, and give the appearance of a full head of hair.
Ready to give it a try? Contact us to find out how we can help.