By: Rha-Kera Barney-Sutton
There are some medications that can cause hair to become dry and brittle. Some can even cause hair to thin and shed excessively. If you notice your hair thinning and, are on any of the medications that we list, please check with your health care provider, read the side effects and pay attention to signs of changing hair when you're starting a new medication.
*Note: Even if you're on a medication and you don't know the side effects, read them, especially if your medication dosage has changed recently.
According to the American Hair Loss Association, the below is a list of medications that can possibly cause hair issues (There are a few medications at the end that I have had some experiences with that cause hair issues): *Note: The drugs are listed by category, according to the conditions they treat, then by brand name first, followed by the drug's generic name in parentheses.
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:
Atronid-S (clofibrate)
Lopid (gemfibrozil)
Convulsions/ Epilepsy
Anticonvulsants, including: Tridone (trimethadione)
Depression
Antidepression drugs, including:
Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride)
Paxil (paroxetine); Anafranil (clomipramine)
Janimine (imipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Tofranil PM (imipramine)
Adapin (doxepin)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil (trimipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Ventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavin (amitriptyline)
Endep (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pertofrane (desipramine)
Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Haldol ( haloperidol)
Diet
Amphetamines
Fungus
Antifungals
Glaucoma
The beta-blocker drugs, including:
Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol)
Timoptic Ocudose (timolol)
Timoptic XC (timolol)
Gout
Lopurin (allopurinol)
Zyloprim (allopurinol)
Heart
Many drugs prescribed for the heart, including those known as 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)
High Blood Pressure
See Above list of beta blockers under "Heart"
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)
An anti-inflammatory that is also used as a chemotherapy drug: Methotrexate (MTX); Rheumatex (methotrexate); Folex (methotrexate)
Parkinson's Disease
Levadopa / L-dopa (dopar, larodopa)
Thyroid Disorders
Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid
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)
(These are from my experience with clients and research over the years)
Some antibiotics
ADHD medication (Adderall or Ritalin)
Some Psoriasis medication
