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Drugs or Medications that May Cause Hair Loss

Drugs that Cause Hair Loss
Drugs that Cause Hair Loss

Please do not consider this as medical advice. Information presented herein are compiled from our forum as well as from the internet. We have not verified the accuracy of the information presented here. This is strictly to facilitate discussion and further proof or investigation. Any drug program should be discussed with your physician and use under their supervision and guidance.

Drugs That Cause Hair Loss 

A list of drugs that cause hair loss. The list is by no means extensive. Not every person responds the same way. Some hair loss maybe temporary while others may experience a more prolonged effect of hair loss, thinning hair and in some cases even permanent baldness. The drugs that cause hair loss here may affect both men and women.

Not All Drugs Cause Hair Loss

Please note that not all the drugs listed here cause hair loss. We are in the process of compiling more data to substantiate which of the following have received more reported incidences of hair loss.

Acne

All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other conditions, including: Accutane (isotretinoin)

Blood

Anticoagulants (blood thinners), including:

Panwarfin (warfarin sodium)
Sofarin (warfarin sodium)
Coumadin (warfarin sodium)
Heparin injections

Cholesterol

Cholesterol lowering drugs, including:

Atromid-S (clofibrate)
Lopid (gemfibrozil)

Convulsions/Epilepsy

Anticonvulsants

Depression

Antidepression drugs, including:

Anafranil (clomipramine)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil (trimipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Vivactil (protriptyline)
Zoloft (sertraline)

Diet/Weight Loss

Amphetamines

Fungus

Antifungals

Glaucoma

Beta-blocker drugs, including:

Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol)
Timoptic Ocudose (timolol)
Timoptic XE (timolol)

Gout

Zyloprim (allopurinol)

Heart/High Blood Pressure

Many drugs prescribed for the heart, including the beta-blockers, which are also used to treat high blood pressure, and include:

Tenormin (atenolol)
Lopressor (metoprolol)
Corgard (nadolol)
Inderal and Inderal LA (propanolol)
Blocadren (timolol)

Hormonal Conditions

All hormone-containing drugs and drugs prescribed for hormone-related, reproductive, male-specific, and female-specific conditions and situations have the potential to cause hair loss, including:
Birth control pills
Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for women (estrogen or progesterone)
Male androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone

Anabolic steroids

Prednisone and other steroids

Inflammation

Many anti-inflammatory drugs, including those prescribed for localized pain, swelling, and injury.

Arthritis drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including:
Naprosyn (naproxen)
Anaprox (naproxen)
Anaprox DS (naproxen)
Indocin (indomethacin)
Indocin SR (indomethacin)
Clinoril (sulindac)

Anti-inflammatories that are also used as a chemotherapy drug:
Methotrexate (MTX)
Rheumatrex (methotrexate)

Parkinson's Disease

Levadopa/L-dopa (Dopar, Laradopa)

Thyroid disorders

Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid; ask your doctor.

Ulcer

Many of the drugs used to treat indigestion, stomach difficulties, and ulcers, including over-the-counter dosages and prescription dosages.

Tagamet (cimetidine)
Zantac (ranitidine)
Pepcid (famotidine

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