Those who experience hair loss while taking semaglutide drugs should consult with a dermatologist to determine whether it’s due to an adverse effect of these medications, Etminan advised. The duration of drug-induced hair loss can vary, depending on the drug and type of hair loss it causes. In most cases, hair should grow back within roughly 6 months after stopping treatment. Yes, it is possible to reverse hair loss that occurs due to medications. In most cases, hair growth will resume after ceasing the medication that is causing hair loss.

According to a 2016 study published in the Drugs – Real World Outcomes journal, hair loss reported by people who took Warfarin began after 3 months of treatment. In a study of women having chemotherapy for breast cancer, the average time between starting chemotherapy and hair loss was 4–5 weeks but occurred in some as early as two weeks. The hair loss was maximal in the second cycle with more than 1000 hairs/day being lost in severe cases. Even with chemotherapy, the degree of hair loss can vary between no noticeable effect through to severe rapid, extensive loss, even on the same drugs and regimes. This means that hair loss from medication usually ceases once people stop taking the medication. However, it is vital to consult a doctor before stopping a drug, even if it is causing hair loss.

• This salt then shortens the telogen phase of the hair and causes the hair to enter the anagen stage.
• It can add more stress to the condition you are already treating with medications.
• A proactive approach to managing medication-induced hair loss is to investigate substitute medications that have fewer adverse effects.
• If you detect changes in your hair growth or experience hair thinning after starting a new drug, you should visit your doctor.
• A person may wish to discuss if other other medication options are available with their doctor.

How to treat hair loss from medication

Early intervention can have a big impact on recovery and allow you to regain confidence in your hair health. Over-the-counter medications or prescribed drugs help us in managing or treating health conditions. Weight gain or excessive hair growth are a few side effects of prescribed drugs.

Medication’s effect on hair growth cycles varies greatly depending on the medicine and the individual’s biological response. If you detect changes in your hair growth or experience hair thinning after starting a new drug, you should visit your doctor. They can examine your situation and look into potential alternatives or treatments for hair loss. Understanding how drugs affect hair development may help you take proactive steps to maintain healthy hair. You can effectively reduce the risk of medication-induced hair loss while also taking care of your underlying health conditions by being knowledgeable and taking proactive measures. Remember that maintaining healthy hair requires perseverance and communication with your healthcare provider.

They can interfere with the hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss, says the expert. The hair pull test involves gentle pulling of a cluster of hairs from the base to the tip. The pulled hairs can be examined under the microscope for anagen or telogen bulbs, fractures and tapering. A 2017 report showed that a 69-year-old man with type 2 diabetes lost his eyebrows and eyelashes.

• It’s a DMARD or disease-modifying antirheumatic drug that has been shown to cause hair loss in some patients.
• Also, your may perform physical examinations, blood tests, or scalp biopsies to rule out other causes of hair loss and confirm the link to medication use.
• People using minoxidil may start to see their hair growing back within 3–6 months.
• This comprehensive guide empowers patients to recognize medication-related hair loss patterns and communicate effectively with healthcare providers about treatment options and alternatives.
• “I believe a patient should take any potential side effects into consideration before taking any medication,” he said.

A person may wish to discuss if other other medication options are available with their doctor. A doctor may also be able to tell people whether their hair will start to grow back by itself or whether they will need treatment for hair loss. Although sudden hair loss can be concerning, remember that it’s likely a temporary side effect. Ask your prescribing physician about hair loss and what you can do about it before making any changes to your medication. “Low-dose oral minoxidil is a mainstay of treatment for most types of hair loss,” Holman said. Holman cited some common over-the-counter supplements that may aid hair regrowth by directly addressing dietary deficiencies, such as iron or vitamin C.

What is alopecia from drugs?

This is because vitamins and mineral are important for normal cell growth and function. If stopping or switching medication is not an option, people may be able to slow the rate or hair loss or help reverse hair loss using home remedies and natural solutions. Telogen effluvium or sudden hair loss differs from other forms of hair loss in significant ways. Telogen effluvium tends to resolve once the underlying stressor has been addressed. However, it may take several months before hair volume is restored. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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It’s a DMARD or disease-modifying antirheumatic drug that has been shown to cause hair loss in some patients. A British study showed that hair loss was reported in 8% of people out of 1,069 RA patients. It could be due to prescription drugs or certain medications you’re taking. While side effects are a price we pay for taking prescription medications, knowing how different medicines can cause hair loss is essential to know how to deal with the situation.

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Living with arthritis can be a pain, but certain medications that we take to medications & drugs that cause hair loss relieve the pain can lead to drug-induced alopecia. “We have heard this anecdotally when patients consult us for surgical restoration of their face after rapid weight loss,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “There were previous anecdotal reports of hair loss and also reports of hair loss in clinical trials of the drugs,” he told Fox News Digital. Read on to learn more about home remedies, vitamins, and essential oils that may support hair growth. Evidence notes that vitamin and mineral supplementation can help to improve symptoms of hair loss.

This blog is a thorough guide on hair loss medications, how they affect your hair, and effective treatments. Some drugs used for weight management may occasionally cause hair loss as a side effect. During a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Trichology, researchers suggested possible relation of (weight loss pill) amphetamine use with the development of alopecia.

Common Medications Linked to Hair Thinning

Early intervention can treat underlying medical issues and greatly improve the health of the hair. Hair loss from medications affects quality of life and self-image, yet many patients don’t realize their prescriptions could be the cause. This comprehensive guide empowers patients to recognize medication-related hair loss patterns and communicate effectively with healthcare providers about treatment options and alternatives. Drugs like Heparin or Warfarin, used to prevent blood clots, may disrupt the hair growth cycle, resulting in hair loss.

There are also medications that cause hair loss or come in the way of hair growth. You may notice the change soon after having the medicines or days or months later. Let us find out and know more about out the medications that cause hair loss. Intentionally changing one’s lifestyle can help preserve hair health and stop hair loss.

It may not be as widely used today, but in the past, patients would report hair fall after taking Leflunomide. “This study references that those who lost more than 20% of their body weight had higher rates of hair loss than those who didn’t,” Davis noted. After adjusting for other factors, they found that the semaglutide users were overall 50% more likely to experience hair loss compared to the other group. Many prescription and some over-the-counter medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. Supplements, topical applications, and changing medications may help to resolve hair loss. The medication promotes hair growth through anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, and anti-androgenic effects.

People using minoxidil may start to see their hair growing back within 3–6 months. Nutrafol, a clinically studied hair loss supplement, has been shown to improve hair regrowth. In some cases, slowing the rate of weight loss may be an effective strategy to mitigate hair loss while also maintaining the benefits of the GLP-1 medication. Protein deficiency during weight loss can also exacerbate hair loss, so Kim advises all patients to consume adequate protein while taking a GLP-1 drug. You can replace the offending medication with an alternative one that has a lower risk of causing hair loss. In many cases, hair loss caused by medication can be reversed once the medication is discontinued or replaced with an alternative, says the expert.

Statin drugs like Zocor and Lipitor have been reported to cause hair thinning. “In clinical trials of Wegovy, hair loss was reported in 2.5% of Wegovy-treated adult patients versus 1.0% of placebo-treated adult patients,” the company spokesperson said. Davis, the plastic surgeon, also noted that this research references another study in which Wegovy users had an elevated risk of hair loss (3.3%) relative to the placebo group (1.4%).