Hair loss after chemotherapy is a well-known side effect of the medication, but many people are unaware that other medications can have hair loss as a side effect. When we are working toward better health, it can be devastating to find out that the medication meant to make us feel better is also causing another problem.
Here are some of the most common types of medication that cause hair loss, and some things that you can do to minimize the problem. According to GoodRx, “There are many medications that may cause hair loss. These medications can cause hair to thin or come out in clumps. Common examples include chemotherapy, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications.”
What Medications Can Cause Premature or Increased Hair Loss?
One of the most common types of medication that can cause hair loss is anticoagulants (sometimes known as blood thinners). Drugs like Warfarin, and Coumadin are meant to keep your blood pumping through your heart easier and can be prescribed after blood clot incidents, brain aneurysms, some forms of surgery (including replacements), and most heart surgeries.
These types of drugs may lead to hair loss primarily because they can create a toxicity, but also because the thin blood does not carry as many nutrients to the roots of the hair follicles as efficiently. However, the exact cause of hair loss due to these drugs is unknown and it may start weeks or even years after the patient has begun taking blood thinners.
One other class of drugs which can be detrimental to your hair quality are antidepressants. This is particularly distressing because hair loss can cause self-esteem issues that lead to depression. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, these drugs include:
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Divalproex sodium (Depakote)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Lithium
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Valproic acid
Scientists are not sure why SSRIs and some SNRIs can lead to hair loss, but they are a little clearer on the mechanism. It appears that when this side effect occurs, the hair prematurely enters the telogen phase and falls out. It does not then naturally progress to the next part of the hair lifecycle.
How Do You Stop Hair Falling Out From Medication?
If you suspect a medication is responsible for your hair loss, the first thing to do is talk to your prescribing doctor. Your doctor may have an option to exchange the medicine for a different specific drug of the same type… or may be able to lower the therapeutic dosage without negating the medical impact of the drug.
Another option is to talk to the prescribing doctor about a different type of drug that may have the same effect medically. For example, there are antidepressants that are not SSRIs that may also be effective at treating depression. However, these medically necessary drugs should never be discontinued without the knowledge and advice of the prescribing physician.
Another important consideration is to determine how long you will be taking the medication. Some medications, such as blood thinners, are usually prescribed for the remainder of a person‘s life. Though, in some cases – such as when treating blood clots – it might just be short-term use.
Other drugs known to cause hair loss, such as chemotherapy, are usually limited in their duration. If the medication is only a temporary part of your health regiment, the best option may be to wait until the treatment is finished and give your hair a chance to grow back in its natural cycle.
Will Hair Loss From Medication Grow Back?
Yes, most of the time it does. Typically, when hair loss is due to medication, the hair will regrow when the medication is discontinued – but that is not always the case. Whether or not the hair grows back after ceasing the medication can depend on the individual, the dosage of the medication, and how long the medication was taken.
Can Medication Help Regrow Hair?
After speaking with the prescribing physician and determining that the medication you are on is the one that is necessary for the health condition, the next step is to have a consultation with a hair loss expert. There are several topical and oral medications that can help counteract hair loss from medications.
Some non-surgical treatments might also help by improving blood flow to the scalp. In addition, there may be other dietary or lifestyle changes that can be combined with your medication use to minimize hair loss to due to side effects of medically, necessary drugs.
When You Start to Notice Thinning Hair, Call Precision Hair Restoration
Whether it is a short-term treatment or a lifelong maintenance medication that causes your hair loss, you can get help. The experts at Precision Hair Restoration can help you determine the best plan for restoring your hair and keeping your body healthier. We will work with you to create a treatment plan designed for your specific needs. To get started, contact us today.
