There are many reasons your hair might be falling out, including the side effects of certain medicines. How to reverse hair loss from the medication? Check out the medicine you think is causing the temporary hair loss or female pattern baldness and find the best ways to reverse the problem.
It is quite normal to lose a bit of hair each day as you comb it, but if you notice excessive hair loss or balding, it is the right time to take immediate action against your hair condition. Hair loss is often disturbing and can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. Patients must consult a dermatologist to show diffuse or patchy hair loss. A dermatologist can best evaluate hair disorders such as alopecia. Although most hair loss issues are male genetic male pattern baldness, some hair loss can develop because of certain drugs. Medicines can cause hair loss in several different ways. Some medications interfere with the hair growth cycle, causing it to fall before its full length. Other medicines may increase certain hormone production that causes male pattern baldness. If you have noticed more hair fall than normal, it is possible that the medicine you may be taking could be showing its side effects. How to stop hair loss from the medication? Drug-induced hair loss can be reversible after interrupting the treatment or once the treatment is over. Some drugs cause hair loss in patients even if they take appropriate dosages, while others are only occasionally responsible for hair abnormalities.
Medications & Hair Loss
A variety of medicines can cause hair problems or compete for hair loss. In most cases, drug-induced hair loss is temporary. However, some medicines may cause permanent hair loss.
- Many people with neurologic disorders experience problems with their hair, including changing texture, thinning, or complete hair loss.
- Other causes of hair loss range from surgery and chemotherapy to side effects of medications such as methotrexate and other immunosuppressants and medicines to treat high blood pressure, migraine, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy.
- Medications prescribed to increase testosterone, such as anabolic steroids, can contribute to permanent hair loss due to male pattern baldness.
- Although it is uncommon, hair loss is a reported side effect of some medications prescribed to treat depression and anxiety.
- If you have been prescribed medications for your medical condition and notice your hair thinning, it’s necessary to have words with your doctor before making any changes.
Medicines that cause hair loss in women
Hormone therapies can trigger hormone imbalances in females, causing thinning of hair loss or permanent female pattern baldness. Contraceptive pills and hormonal replacement therapies like progesterone and estrogen can contribute to hair loss in women. Post-menopausal women may be prescribed HRT as well.
Medicines that trigger hair loss in men
Like women, men who take hormone treatment may experience hair loss or permanent male pattern baldness. Men who receive testosterone replacement therapy to improve their testosterone levels can develop hair loss. Those who use anabolic steroids for muscle building can also experience hair fall more than usual.
What to do for hair loss due to medication? Well, have a look below to get the answer.
If you have recently been prescribed new medicine and have noticed hair thinning or loss, discuss switching to an alternative with your doctor. They may recommend a medicine that doesn’t cause the same adverse reaction. Your doctor may also recommend discontinuing treatment for a few months. If you are experiencing pattern baldness because of medication, some hair treatments like Propecia (men), Rogaine (men and women), and dutasteride (men) may be appropriate for you. These remedies for hair loss due to medication are safe and effective. Your dermatologist may ask you to use these hair loss medicines for a certain period before you see results. Let’s say it may take up to six months or more to see visible improvement from Rogaine’s treatment. Some people may also opt for hair transplant surgery or laser therapy, another permanent treatment option for those experiencing pattern baldness. Lifestyle remedies include wearing a hair wig and covering your hair with a hat or scarf.
However, people who undergo cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, choose to show off their bald look proudly. Here, it is important to understand that you have every right to be proud of fighting if you are going through difficult times, and it is entirely up to you how you decide to live.
The bottom line
Hair problems can be devastating; in fact, for some people losing their hair is just as upsetting as their associated medical conditions. How to stop hair loss from medication can be a better deal identifying the medications you may take. Hair growth gets back to normal to its previous state once you have considered treatment discontinuation. For some people, adjusting the dosage may also reduce hair loss symptoms. Make sure you do not stop taking medicine without speaking to your doctor. There may be alternatives with fewer adverse effects. Opt remedy for hair loss due to medications under the supervision of your doctor.
