How Can You Treat Drug Induced Hair Loss
There is a very likely chance that if you’re experiencing hair loss primarily as a result of a drug you’re taking, the hair will grow back on its own once you stop taking the medication. Its important to talk to your doctor before stopping, as the medication is certainly a necessary one for whatever medical condition its treating. However, if stopping the drug does not improve hair thinning, you may need to be treated with finasteride or minoxidil , medications that are known to slow hair loss and stimulate new hair growth.
Can Drugs Make Your Hair To Fall Out
Drugs can affect the hair growth cycle at different stages and induce hair loss as a side effect. As we know already, the hair growth cycle consists of three stages Anagen, Telogen, and Catagen. During the anagen phase, the hair grows actively for two to four years. After this, the hair strand enters the resting phase, which is known as the telogen phase, for three to four months. At the end of this phase, the hair enters catagen phase and sheds from the root. It is eventually replaced by a new hair strand. When it comes hair loss due to drugs, these medications can affect the hair growth cycle in either the anagen phase or in the telogen phase.
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Nsaids Can Cause Hair Loss
Hair loss from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , including Motrin , is a rare side effect and is typically secondary to what the medical community calls telogen effluvium.
This type of hair loss occurs when some stress, such as a medication, causes hair roots to be pushed prematurely into a resting state, called telogen, according to rheumatologist Scott J. Zashin, MD, clinical assistant professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.
Abrupt diffuse hair loss will typically be noticed after two or more months from the time the stress occurredfor example, the time the medication was started, he says.
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What Should I Tell My Ro
- Sertraline has many drug interactions. Its important to tell your Ro-affiliated provider all of the medications you are currently taking, including prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal and dietary supplements. Some medications to watch out for include:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors , including the antibiotic linezolid and intravenous methylene blue
- NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Aspirin
- Seizures
- Glaucoma or eye problems
- Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. SSRI use, particularly later in pregnancy, may increase risk of complications in the newborn. You should discuss with your provider if sertraline should be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting online at .
Withholding or providing inaccurate information about your health and medical history in order to obtain treatment may result in harm, including, in some cases, death.
Methotrexate Can Cause Hair Loss
Methotrexate is the most commonly prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for rheumatoid arthritis. It causes hair loss in about 1% to 3% of patients.
Methotrexate works by stopping the cells that cause inflammation from growing and, as a result, can stop hair follicles from growing too.
A folic acid supplement, commonly co-prescribed with methotrexate, can help keep your hair healthy, but does not encourage hair growth.
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Questions To Ask The Health Care Team
You may want to ask your cancer care team the following questions.
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Is my specific cancer treatment plan likely to cause hair loss?
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If so, when will my hair loss happen? Will I lose hair over time or all at once?
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How should I care for my hair and scalp during hair loss?
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When will my hair grow back? What can I expect when my hair does return?
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Is there a counselor, oncology social worker, or other team member who can help me cope with hair loss?
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Are there any programs that provide free or low-cost wigs or other head coverings?
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Tips For Hair Loss Or Thinning
- Use gentle hair products such as baby shampoos.
- Don’t use perms or hair colours on thinning hair colours may not take well and perms can damage the hair.
- Use a soft baby brush and comb thinning hair gently.
- Avoid using hair dryers, curling tongs, hair straighteners and curlers on thinning hair and pat your hair dry after washing.
- If your scalp flakes or itches this means it is dry use oil or moisturiser, not dandruff shampoo.
- Protect your scalp by covering your head in the sun.
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Can You Stop Or Reverse The Hair Loss
Where possible, the best way to treat drug-induced alopecia is to stop taking the medication responsible for the hair loss. However, people should not stop taking a medication without their doctorâs agreement.
The doctor will discuss any alternative treatment options and ensure that a person switches safely to any new medications.
Once a person stops taking the medication that caused the alopecia, it can take half a year for the hair to stop shedding.
People usually notice new hair growth within 3â6 months. However, it may take up to 18 months for a personâs hair to recover cosmetically.
People who think that they may be experiencing drug-induced alopecia should speak to a healthcare professional.
Early signs of excessive hair loss include:
- noticing hairs on pillows
- finding extra hairs in combs or hairbrushes
- losing more hair than usual when showering
When diagnosing drug-induced alopecia, a doctor will take a complete medical history that takes into account the following factors:
- any new medications that the person is taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- any change in medication dosages
- the personâs general health and nutrition status
- whether the person has had any recent illnesses or surgeries
- whether there is a family history of hair loss
A doctor may also perform the following tests to assist the diagnosis:
The Link To Blood Pressure Drugs
Many blood pressure drugs have been linked to hair loss, but beta blockers appear to be the most likely to cause problems, says Dr. Mirmirani.
There are many kinds of beta blockers. According to the Mayo Clinic, examples include acebutolol , atenolol , bisoprolol , metoprolol , nadolol , nebivolol and propranolol .
Blood pressure drugs known as ACE inhibitors have also been linked to hair loss, according to DermNet NZ. These may include benazepril , captopril, enalapril , fosinopril, lisinopril , moexipril, perindopril, quinapril , ramipril and trandolapril, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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How Do You Permanently Get Rid Of Frizzy Hair
Styling tools that use heat can also dry out hair, making frizz erupt….1.Apple cider vinegar
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Thinning Hair: Can Medications Help
Many things can cause women to lose more hair than normal: genetics, illness, stress, medical conditions or hormonal imbalance, aging, and even what you eat. The first step is to work with your doctor to find out what’s causing the problem. There may be treatments that can help restore your locks.
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Drugs That Can Induce Hair Loss
Just as many pharmaceutical and herbal agents can be used to treat hair loss by stimulating hair growth, drugs may cause hair loss, hirsutism, or textural and color changes. Those that cause alopecia are mostly due to toxic effects on the hair matrix, which are usually reversible. Many different types of drugs can cause telogen effluvium . Cytotoxic drugs, such as chemotherapy agents, cause anagen effluvium .
Interestingly, many of the drugs used to treat hair loss report that they may also induce temporary hair loss .
Some types of drugs that may cause telogen effluvium include:
Why And How Do Medications Cause Hair Loss
Drug-induced hair fall is often due to an alteration of the normal hair growth cycle caused by the pharmaceutical. Some drugs directly damage the hair follicles and some drugs disrupt the growth phases, making them longer or shorter.
Usually, each follicle goes through 3 main phases when growing hair:
The Anagen phase is the active hair growth phase. It may last between 2 and 7 years. This is when your hair grows longer.
The Catagen phase is a short transitional phase that lasts about 2 weeks. This is when the hair stops growing longer but it is still attached to the follicle.
The Telogen phase is the resting and shedding stage that lasts about 2 to 4 months. This is when the hair starts detaching from the follicle until eventually the hair shaft and bulb detach and fall. This gives room for a new hair strand to grow from the same follicle and the cycle starts once more.
Based on this explanation, medications cause two types of hair loss:
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Cutting Hair Off Prior To Or During Hair Loss Due To Chemotherapy
In our section about the Hair growth cycle, we understand that the hair root sits underneath the skin surface. This is where the three phases of the growth cycle occur with each and every individual hair. Therefore cutting hair short prior to or during hair loss cannot affect the hair growth function that takes place underneath the skin. If cutting hair short is something you decide to do we recommend that you avoid shaving with a bare razor. This is simply due to the possibility of infection if you cut yourself and not to do with affecting hair re-growth. Do use clean clippers/scissors and take a look at our section Cutting hair before hair loss.You can also read more in-depth information in our New hair growth section.
Known Drugs That Can Cause Hair Loss
Drug induced alopecia, hair loss that develops due to a side effect of medication, will often occur within three months after starting the particular medication, but the exact timeline will depend on a few factors. The type of drug, type of hair loss, dosage, and your sensitivity to the drug are all important factors in how severe the side effects will be.
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To Avoid Making Hair Fall Out Faster:
- Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner to lessen the pull on hair while combing. Try to stay away from shampoos with lots of chemicals that can dry out your scalp. Avoid shampoos and conditioners with strong fragrances, alcohol or salicylic acid.
- Using or sleeping in hair curlers can pull on the hair and cause it to fall out quicker.
- Try to avoid coloring, bleaching or perming your hair at this pointit could weaken it and make it fall out faster.
- Lower your use of hair dryers, straightening irons and curling irons. Try air-drying your hair.
What Types Of Drugs Cause Hair Loss
ANSWER
Many different types of drugs are thought to cause hair loss, including:
- Acne medications containing vitamin A
- Antibiotics and antifungal drugs
- Drugs that suppress the immune system
- Drugs that treat breast cancer and other cancers
- Epilepsy drugs
- High blood pressure medications , such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics
- Hormone replacement therapy
Bolognia, J.L., Jorizzo, J.L., Rapini, R.P., eds, Dermatology, 2nd ed., Philadelphia, Mosby Elsevier, 2008.
Tosti, A. Dermatologic Clinics, 2007.
Mounsey, A.L. American Family Physician, 2009.
Tosti A. Drug Safety, 1994.
National Guideline Clearinghouse: “Recommendations to diagnose and treat adult hair loss disorders or alopecia in primary care settings .”
American Cancer Society web site.
Bolognia, J.L., Jorizzo, J.L., Rapini, R.P., eds, Dermatology, 2nd ed., Philadelphia, Mosby Elsevier, 2008.
Tosti, A. Dermatologic Clinics, 2007.
Mounsey, A.L. American Family Physician, 2009.
Tosti A. Drug Safety, 1994.
National Guideline Clearinghouse: “Recommendations to diagnose and treat adult hair loss disorders or alopecia in primary care settings .”
American Cancer Society web site.
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
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Which Medications Can Cause Hair Loss
There are numerous reasons as to why you might be experiencing a seemingly sudden bout of hair loss. It could be anything from a change in your diet or exercise routine, to a hereditary condition, to a natural age-related issue. In some cases, even the medications that your doctors prescribed to you could include hair loss as one of their main side effects. If this is a possibility, then its not only important that you discuss all possible side effects of your medications with your doctor prior to commencing treatment, but also that you do your own research. You should also ask your doctor or pharmacist about feasible substitute medications that will accomplish the same goals as your original prescription. Another option is to consult a hair restoration expert in Toronto regarding the type of hair loss youre experiencing and how to remedy the problem.
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What Can You Do If You Have Hair Loss From Medications
Discuss with your doctor if your dosage can be adjusted or if you can switch to another medication that also helps your condition without the hair loss side effect. Never do this without the strict supervision of your doctor.
In most cases, hair loss from medication will stop a few weeks after you discontinue the drug. However, new hair growth can take a while and might not return to its original texture or volume.
If you have been taking the medication for a long time, you might also develop chronic telogen effluvium. That means you might continue losing hair even after stopping the medication. Chronic telogen effluvium can last up to 7 years.
Discuss your hair loss with your doctor. Discontinuing the drug is not always the only solution. Sometimes, adjusting the dosage or adding a supplement can help a great deal.
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