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.
GLP-1 hair loss vs. other forms of hair loss
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%).
- “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.
- Since this study involved one person, the results are inconclusive on whether or not metformin can cause hair thinning.
- The hair loss may be ‘patterned’ as seen in male-pattern or androgenetic alopecia or female-pattern alopecia.
- Garshick noted that robust scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of certain supplements for hair loss is still lacking.
Alopecia from drugs
Living with arthritis can be a pain, but certain medications that we take to 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.
Proactive Steps to Minimize Hair Loss Risks
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.
Chemotherapy drugs
Even if serums and other leave-in products don’t directly impact hair loss, they may still support scalp and hair health, which can support hair regrowth. Finasteride, or Propecia, is a medication that treats drug-induced alopecia. Be patient with this treatment since it may take three months of daily intake to notice new hair growth.
What Medications Cause Hair Loss or Thinning?
There is little published literature on GLP-1-related hair loss, and it remains unclear how prevalent the condition is or what’s causing it. Most experts believe any resulting hair loss isn’t caused by the drugs themselves, but rather by the weight loss they induce. Using the right products, creating a regimen for hair care, and forming healthy lifestyle choices will all contribute to keeping your hair strong and attractive over time. The only way to confirm suspected drug-induced hair loss is to cease the possible drug for at least three months and observe regrowth. Now that you know what drugs potentially cause hair loss, you can manage and treat your condition using the abovementioned treatment recommendations. Long-term hair loss seems to be more unlikely, the doctor said, as the “inciting event” (weight loss and stress) often normalizes as individuals reach their target weight.
- Although sudden hair loss can be concerning, remember that it’s likely a temporary side effect.
- Intentionally changing one’s lifestyle can help preserve hair health and stop hair loss.
- If you’re concerned about GLP-1-related hair loss, consulting a board-certified dermatologist may be a good first step.
- With the right method, it is possible to effectively manage hair health while simultaneously meeting medical requirements.
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.
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.
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.
To create a strategy that meets your specific needs and considers your overall health, you must consult with dermatologists. You can try to get your hair back to feeling confident and healthy with the appropriate strategies and persistence. Diagnosing drug-induced hair loss typically involves a comprehensive medical history review, including a discussion of current medications and their potential side effects.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing your stress level, and following a balanced diet can give a boost to your overall hair health. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, refers to a condition where there is a noticeable decrease in hair density or volume on the scalp. It can present as thinning hair, bald patches, or complete loss of hair, says dermatologist Dr Pawan Singh. Various factors such as genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, and medications can contribute to hair loss. Anagen effluvium hair loss may become obvious within days to weeks of starting chemotherapy, whereas with telogen effluvium the hair loss usually becomes evident after 2–4 months.
How do you treat drug-induced hair loss?
Propranolol is one of the beta-blockers that can cause hair loss, as medications & drugs that cause hair loss per a 2021 study published in the Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements journal. A comprehensive inquiry is required for medication-induced hair loss, which may involve laboratory testing in addition to a physical examination and patient history. Speak with your doctor if you think that the medication you’re taking is contributing to your 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.