There are many reasons men and women lose their hair. When it happens, most people want to find out why and, as an extension to that, what they can do to stop hair loss from progressing. In some situations, there isn’t an easy answer as to why it happens. However, it is often possible to pinpoint the hair loss if it has begun recently. You can then look at what’s changed in your life to determine if, in fact, there are factors that link your lifestyle to your hair loss. If you’ve recently experienced hair loss and have just started taking a medication, the two can be linked.

What Medications Cause Hair Loss?

Many medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. It’s important to realize you should never stop taking a medication prescribed by your doctor or one that you have been taking for a long time before talking to your doctor. These types of drastic changes can have negative results for you and even put your life on the line. Take a look at some of the most common medications that can cause hair loss. Keep in mind that not all variations of these medications will cause hair loss. For that reason, you should speak to your doctor about your symptoms so an alternative may be found.

  • Anticoagulants: These types of medications are often used as blood thinners. They may be prescribed for those with clotting problems or heart related conditions. Common medications include coumadin, heparin injections, Panwarfarin, and Sofarin.
  • Gout Medications: Medications to treat gout are commonly the leading reason for sudden onset hair loss. The amount of hair loss depends on the individual. Common medications that cause hair loss include Zyloprim and Lopurin.
  • Beta Blockers: Medications called beta blockers work to reduce the stress and pressure in your heart. They can cause hair loss to occur. Never stop taking this medication without first speaking to your heart doctor about them. Common medications linked to hair loss include Metroprolol, nadolol, propranolol, atenolol and timolol.
  • ACE Inhibitors: Another common type of blood pressure medication, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, commonly known as ACE inhibitors, can cause hair loss. Common types include Lisinopril, Enalapril, and Captopril.
  • Vitamin A: When taking a high dose of Vitamin A, it is possible that you may experience hair loss. This is common for those who take acne medications such as isotretinoin.
    Male Hormones: Taking any type of hormone product can lead to an increase in hair loss. Hormones control the production of hair and drastic changes, like taking male hormones, can lead to this. It is common in those taking anabolic steroids and testosterone. It’s more likely you’ll develop male pattern balding with these medications.
  • Female Hormones: As with male hormones, taking female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can lead to hair loss. This can happen in various instances including when taking birth control pills or any type of hormone replacement therapy. This may lead to the onset of female pattern baldness.
  • Antidepressants: Many types of antidepressants can cause hair loss. This is, in fact, very common. It is often present in those who take medications for anxiety or depression. This includes amitriptyline, clomipramine, fluoxetine hydrochloride, paroxetine, and haloperidol, just to name a few.
  • Seizure Medications: Another type of medication that common causes hair loss is any type of anti-seizure medication. These medications, called anticonvulsants, are commonly linked to significant hair loss. The most common to cause this include valproic acid and trimethadione.

What Should You Do If You Have Hair Loss?

If you are experiencing hair loss, take a moment to consider the medications you are taking. Can you link the onset of hair loss with the start of taking these medications? If so, speak to your doctor about the symptoms. Find out if there is an alternative medication that may fit your need in providing the same care for you without the hair loss side effect. In many cases, you should not stop taking your medication for the hair loss. You can often find hair loss solutions for men and hair loss solutions for women, such as the use of treatments to promote hair growth, hair extensions, hair pieces and prosthetics. To learn more about the hair loss prevention and hair replacement options available, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts.