Medications or drugs are designed and created in an effort to treat numerous worrying health conditions, which make them a hugely advantageous part of modern society. Unfortunately, however, many drugs come with a number of side effects that patients would rather not have. For example, certain drugs and medications can be responsible for various unwanted effects, from stomach aches to changes in the color and texture of hair, and even hair loss.
The different drugs that cause hair loss are widespread, and drug-induced hair loss can be a serious problem for many people, as it has a huge impact on their self-esteem. Fortunately, with most drugs, you will find that the moment you stop taking the medication, the problem is reversible.
How Drugs Cause Hair Loss
So why are there drugs that cause hair loss in the first place? Medications can contribute to hair loss by interfering with the normal cycle of hair growth within the scalp. Your hair grows according to a certain schedule. For instance, during the "anagen phase" that can last anywhere between two and six years, your hair will grow. However, during the telogen phase that lasts up to three months, the hair rests, and some hairs fall out but are replaced by new hair.
Different drugs can lead to two different forms of hair loss. The first type is known as telogen effluvium, and the second type is known as anagen effluvium. Before we start looking at the drugs that cause hair loss, it may be helpful to learn more about these conditions.
Telogen effluvium is perhaps the most common drug-induced hair-loss condition around, and it usually occurs within four months of taking a new medication. The condition causes the follicles of your hair to enter the resting phase before they should, which means that they also start to fall out too early. On the other hand, anagen effluvium refers to hair loss that takes place during the anagen hair cycle phase, when the hairs are supposed to be growing. This condition stops the hairs from dividing normally, and is often common in people who are in the process of cancer treatment using chemotherapy.
Drugs Responsible For Hair Loss
The severity with which you lose your hair during a period of drug-induced hair loss will depend on the type of drug you're taking, as well as the dosage, and your level of sensitivity. For example, anticoagulant medications that are used to prevent blood clots and complications in people with specific conditions can lead to hair loss across the entire scalp. Beta blockers can also cause telogen effluvium, and various medications used to treat anxiety and depression have also been known to lead to instances of hair loss in certain patients. Other drugs that are responsible for hair loss may include:
- Acne medication that includes vitamin A
- Antifungal drugs or antibiotics
- Drugs for suppressing the immune system
- Chemotherapy or radiation
- Epilepsy-control drugs
- Drugs for lowering cholesterol
- Hormone replacement therapy drugs
- Steroids
If you feel that your medication is leading to hair loss, speak to your doctor about the alternative options that may be available to you.