Diet and other lifestyle factors can have serious effects on hair health, so paying attention to what you’re eating and general stress level are good places to start. Significant weight loss is one of the hallmarks of GLP-1 drugs, but some people have claimed that their hair is vanishing along with the excess pounds. Monitoring and tweaking your hair care regimen is critical to achieving and maintaining maximum hair health. Keep detailed records, evaluate product performance, and respond to your hair’s demands to establish a dynamic care routine that encourages growth and vitality. Remember that hair care is a personal process that may require regular modifications to meet your changing requirements and goals. Some medications may cause hair loss, but don’t stop using them without consulting with your doctor.

The benefits of PRP treatment for hair loss haven’t definitively been proven, though a 2014 study found that it was effective in treating androgenic alopecia. It involves exposing the scalp to low-level laser light to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair regrowth. Corticosteroids or steroids are an anti-inflammatory medicine that can be taken orally or applied topically.

He took metformin and another drug for diabetes called sitagliptin. Since this study involved one person, the results are inconclusive on whether or not metformin can cause hair thinning. Previous studies have shown that changes inducing stress or affecting one’s nutritional intake could pose an increased risk of hair loss, the doctor added. A scalp enzyme, known as sulfotransferase, converts the minoxidil into a salt called minoxidil sulfate. This salt then shortens the telogen phase of the hair and causes the hair to enter the anagen stage.

Red light therapy may also benefit hair regrowth and can be performed at home using a specialized hat or helmet. Minoxidil has been approved for use by the FDA since the mid-1980s to help facilitate hair regrowth. There are some topical serums with substantial evidence to support their effectiveness. “Generally, we can reassure patients that it’s a temporary process that does tend to get better with time,” Garshick said. Other causes include nutrition deficiencies, endocrine disorders, and, yes, dramatic weight loss.

More Essentials From

Topical calcipotriol was not effective in a trial of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In mice, topical minoxidil and topical ciclosporin stimulated regrowth after cyclophosphamide. The development of hair loss and severity depend both on the drug and individual predisposition. Some drugs cause hair loss in most patients receiving an appropriate dose. I am a self-published author who went bald in my late 30s and tried numerous hair growth products to fight male pattern baldness.

• You may notice the change soon after having the medicines or days or months later.
• You can try to get your hair back to feeling confident and healthy with the appropriate strategies and persistence.
• By monitoring your hair health and making informed changes to your treatment plan, you can reduce the impact of medication-induced hair loss while also promoting healthy hair growth.
• They may interfere with hair growth, leading to hair thinning or loss, says Dr Singh.
• Cysteine hair treatments, also known as cysteine straightening or smoothing treatmen…

While you manage your medical demands, early detection and intervention can help treat the issue effectively and restore hair health. Effective treatment and recovery of drug-induced alopecia rely heavily on identifying the underlying medication and recognizing its symptoms. If you experience hair loss while taking medication, discuss your concerns and consider other treatments with your physician.

What Medications Cause Hair Loss or Thinning?

Drugs like Enalapril are Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors that help relax the veins and arteries, and in turn lower blood pressure. Anagen effluvium is usually due to chemotherapy drugs and rarely with gold, colchicine or poisoning with arsenic, bismuth, thallium or boric acid. Davis also recommends that his patients adopt a “hearty diet” consisting of fiber, protein, and nutritious foods to ensure proper nourishment while taking a semaglutide medication. “I believe a patient should take any potential side effects into consideration before taking any medication,” he said. “Future studies are required to ascertain the association between semaglutide and hair loss,” the researchers wrote.

Garshick noted that robust scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of certain supplements for hair loss is still lacking. An association was found between alopecia and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during a 2022 analysis published in Psychiatry Research. A skin biopsy from an area where the hair is thin may be required to exclude other causes of diffuse hair loss. Examination of the scalp should assess the degree and pattern of hair loss, the presence of redness or scaling of the scalp and the length, diameter and breakage of hair shafts. It’s time to take control of your health and say farewell to drug-induced alopecia for good.

Related Conditions

• Minoxidil has been approved for use by the FDA since the mid-1980s to help facilitate hair regrowth.
• Early intervention can treat underlying medical issues and greatly improve the health of the hair.
• To create a strategy that meets your specific needs and considers your overall health, you must consult with dermatologists.
• There are some topical serums with substantial evidence to support their effectiveness.
• Several treatment options are available — from diet and lifestyle changes to supplements, prescription medications, and more.

People who have a deficiency can take a supplement to boost levels, which may help hair to grow back. Additionally, they can also consume foods rich in these vitamins and minerals as part of their normal dietary plan. In some cases, it’s better for patients to be heard, evaluated, and just be reassured that things will get better with time,” Garshick said.

Doctors’ advice

Also, your may perform physical examinations, blood tests, or scalp biopsies to rule out other causes of hair loss and confirm the link to medication use. Usually, the only treatment required for drug-induced hair loss is to cease the causative drug if it is possible to do so. Once that drug has been ceased, hair shedding settles, although this may take up to 6 months.

To achieve the best outcomes for your situation, always speak with your healthcare provider before starting new therapies or making changes to your treatment plan. Proactive ways to reduce the risk of hair loss include a healthy lifestyle, effective hair care techniques, and regular health monitoring. By focusing on nutrition, stress management, and preventative measures, you may greatly improve your hair health and lower your risk of hair loss. Remember that consistency is essential, and obtaining expert help when necessary will boost your efforts to maintain healthy hair. Consultation with a healthcare practitioner is essential for detecting drug-induced hair loss and determining the best course of treatment.

If you stop taking Propecia, the effect will be reversed in a year. Metformin is a commonly prescribed drug for managing type 2 diabetes. However, patients are concerned about its potential connection to hair thinning. Lupus treatment prescription medications play a vital role in managing the symptoms of this autoimmune condition, but unfortunately, these drugs may wreak havoc on the hair follicles. Hair loss can be frustrating, and while many causes contribute to the condition, several medications have been shown to cause or worsen it. Understanding which medications may be influencing your hair is critical for identifying potential hazards and developing appropriate treatments.

Supportive care

Cysteine hair treatments, also known as cysteine straightening or smoothing treatmen… medications & drugs that cause hair loss Davis agreed, encouraging patients to have an open conversation with their doctor about how they can best take care of themselves. If people are not seeing results from home and natural remedies after a few months, they can discuss other options with their doctor. People can buy minoxidil, or Rogaine, over the counter (OTC) and apply it topically to the scalp.