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Hair loss is one of the most widespread health issues of today. This is a condition that affects millions of men, women, young and old all over the world.
The most common cause of hair loss is actually hormonal. However, there are other triggering factors that may induce hair loss which include unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, menopause, pregnancy, diseases and bad habits. Even the commonly prescribed medications or drugs may cause temporary or permanent hair loss.
Although medications are designed to treat various health conditions, sometimes they can have unwanted side effects — including changes in our hair. Certain drugs can contribute to excess hair growth in different parts of the body, changes in hair texture and color, and even hair loss.
Most people who are under medication for the treatment of certain conditions such as cancer, depression, bipolar disorder and acne may suffer from hair loss as a side effect. The following are some of the most common medications that can trigger the onslaught of hair loss:
- Anabolic steroids are a common class of steroid hormones that can influence a person’s physical and sexual development. Anabolic steroids have a history of being used by body-builders seeking to increase their muscle mass. In men who are genetically predisposed to hair loss, the excessive use of these medications can cause premature baldness. Anabolic steroid hormone medications that cause hair loss include fluoxymesterone, methyltestosterone (Testred), Metandren, Oreton, stanozolol and danazol.
- Antineoplastics are several drugs that control or kill neoplastic cells. These are used in chemotherapy to kill cancer cells. Antineoplastics have unpleasant side effects that may include nausea, vomiting and hair loss.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs which contain progestins, estrogens, and estrogen-like compounds may also cause hair loss in some women. It is interesting to note that these medications are frequently prescribed to reverse hair loss. However, it just so happens that in some women they cause hair thinning.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are widely used to treat inflammation, fever, and pain in some cases may cause hair loss. Common nonprescription NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium and prescription NSAIDs like celecoxib, diclofenac, etodolac, fenoprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, oxaprozin, nabumetone, and sulindac are examples of NSAIDS that can trigger hair loss.
- Oral contraceptives or birth control pills can cause hair loss through two different mechanisms, through drug-induced shedding and by facilitating female pattern baldness. The pill’s primary function is to suppress ovulation which is achieved by using the hormones estrogen and progestin to arrest fertility. The pill includes a risk for inducing hair loss since hormones are also the primary trigger of this condition. While oral contraceptives are safe and effective, women whose family histories include hair loss need to be warned that taking the pill could cause them to lose their hair. Knowing this, women can make better and more informed decisions about how to approach birth control.
- Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Thyrax, Euthyrox) is a common medicine that is prescribed to treat hypothyroidism. Those who are sensitive to this medication may experience hair loss as a side effect. Though plenty of women taking the drug experience no adverse effects, it should not be overlooked as a possible contributing factor to your hair loss. If hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, so can an overdose of levothyroxine medication.
Drug-induced hair loss is usually reversible when the medication is stopped. The occurrence and severity of alopecia depends on the drug as well as on the individual’s predisposition. Some drugs may trigger hair loss in most patients receiving appropriate dosages while other drugs are only sporadically responsible for hair abnormalities.
Doctors say that the best remedy for drug-induced hair loss is to reduce the dosage of the medication or discontinue its use. It is also possible to switch to another medication that does not cause thinning hair. Hence, the first step towards avoiding hair loss caused by medications should always be to discuss the problem with your doctor.
