Hair has always been a big part of our lives, from ancient Egyptians rocking elaborate wigs to today’s unique hairstyles. But hair isn’t just for looks. Data shows how hair helps us cool down when we sweat, acts as sensory organs, and even keeps dust and other things out of our noses and ears.
Hair loss happens for many reasons, and sometimes it might be out of one’s control. That is, if it’s in your DNA, there’s not much you can do to stop it. But there are other factors like diet, stress, certain health challenges, hormone imbalances, certain health conditions, and of course, medications, (which is the highlight of this post) can also cause hair loss, according to Mayo Clinic.
As you may already know, every medication has side effects. None are 100% safe, and taking them requires balancing the benefits and risks. Here are some common meds that might be causing your hair loss.
01
Antibiotics
Like all medications, antimicrobials, which include antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals, come with side effects. Common issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic reactions in some people. Specific side effects depend on the type of medication. For example, antibiotics can sometimes cause hair loss or thinning by leading to anemia and vitamin B deficiency. Antifungals like voriconazole and antivirals like acyclovir have also been linked to hair loss, though the exact reasons aren’t clear.
Microorganisms are everywhere. Some are helpful, but others can make us sick. In the past, infections were often fatal, but now, thanks to medical advances, we have many medications to fight these infections and help us live longer.
Treating infections with antimicrobials can be complicated because only certain drugs work against specific infections. Plus, some microorganisms have become resistant to these drugs, especially antibiotics. This resistance often happens because of inappropriate use, such as not taking the medication as prescribed, according to the Cleveland Clinic. If you experience any side effects while taking antimicrobials, it’s important to let your doctor know right away.
02
Medication for Blood Pressure
Hair loss, a condition called logen effluvium, is a temporary condition where hair follicles enter a resting phase, causing hair to stop growing and sometimes fall out. The Cleveland Clinic explains that this can be triggered by various stresses, like high fever, infections, childbirth, hormone imbalances, major surgery, extreme diets, stopping birth control pills, and certain medications. Fortunately, this type of hair loss isn’t permanent, and your doctor can help manage it. You might want to talk to your doctor about alternatives if you have concerns about hair loss or any other side effects.
There are many types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, known as antihypertensives. These include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. While they all help lower blood pressure, each type works differently and has its own side effects. Among these, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers have been linked to hair loss. Beta-blockers, according to Healthline, lower your heart rate and help your heart relax. Examples include metoprolol (Lopressor) and nebivolol (Bystolic). Calcium channel blockers, as noted by the Mayo Clinic, stop calcium from entering the cells of your heart and arteries, helping your heart relax and your blood vessels widen. Examples include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), and verapamil (Verelan).
03
Thyroid Medications
When your hormone levels are disrupted, it can stress your body and push a lot of your hair follicles into the shedding phase, known as telogen effluvium. Some thyroid diseases are also autoimmune conditions, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which can increase your risk of developing other autoimmune conditions, such as alopecia areata. Alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss on the scalp, face, and other areas.
The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ in the front of your neck, produces hormones that control many of the body’s processes. Thyroid diseases can cause the gland to produce too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) hormone, leading to various symptoms, including hair loss.
There are different treatments for thyroid problems. For an underactive thyroid, doctors often prescribe thyroid hormone replacement, like levothyroxine. For an overactive thyroid, medications that prevent the production of thyroid hormones, such as methimazole or propylthiouracil, are used. These treatments can also lead to hair loss, especially at the start when you’re adjusting to the right dose to balance your thyroid hormone levels. According to Medical News Today, your hair cycle is very sensitive to hormone changes.
04
Hormone Therapies
Hormones can be quite complicated and can affect many processes in our bodies, including hair growth and hair loss. Since hair growth is so sensitive to hormones, changes in hair are a common side effect of hormone therapies. WebMD notes that hair loss can occur in people using contraceptives like progestin implants, hormone injections, skin patches, and vaginal rings. Similarly, men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy might experience male pattern baldness.
According to a 2020 study, both male [such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone] and female [Estrogen and progesterone] hormones play a role in how much hair we produce, but they can have different effects on different parts of the body. For example, male hormones increase pubic and armpit hair during puberty but can also cause hair loss on the scalp. Female hormones, on the other hand, indirectly influence hair growth and loss by affecting male hormones. It’s important to remember that both men and women have these hormones, just in different amounts.
If you’re undergoing hormone therapy and notice changes in your hair, it might be a side effect of the treatment. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have concerns about hair loss or any other side effects.
05
Medication for Weight Loss
Obesity is a common prevalence among both males and females and has been getting worse in the United States. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), 30.7% of American adults are overweight, and 42.4% are obese or severely obese. For children aged 2 to 19, 16.1% are overweight, 19.3% are obese, and 6.1% are severely obese. As a result, obesity is now recognized as a medical problem, not just a lifestyle choice, leading to the development of new medications to address this health issue.
Weight-loss medications have been around for some time, but they’ve gained more attention in recent years. Weight loss treatments can come in the form of pills or injections, and surgery is also an option. Although hair loss isn’t a direct side effect of these medications or surgeries, they are still connected. Losing weight can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin D, zinc, selenium and iron, which can lead to hair loss.
06
Vitamin A Medication
Not getting enough vitamin A can lead to dry skin, eye problems, growth delays, infertility, infections, poor wound healing, and acne. However, too much vitamin A can cause similar issues like dry skin, blurry vision, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, bone pain, skin discoloration, rash, and hair loss.
While vitamins are essential, too much can be harmful. The FDA recommends 900 micrograms (mcg) of Vitamin A per day. For example, a baked sweet potato has 1,403 mcg, half a cup of spinach has 573 mcg, and half a cup of carrots has 459 mcg. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin important for your immune system, cell growth, and the health of your organs and vision. You can get it from foods like organ meat, dairy, eggs, fish, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A, are well-known for their skin benefits, such as clearing acne and reducing signs of aging. However, taking oral retinoids like isotretinoin, especially in high doses, are also linked to hair loss due to a condition called telogen effluvium.
07
Antidepressants
Although antidepressants are known for treating depression, they’re also used for treating migraines, chronic pain, insomnia, obesity, hot flashes, and more.
While hair loss isn’t a common side effect of antidepressants, it can happen. A 2018 study looked at 10 commonly used antidepressants and found that some cause more hair loss than others. The antidepressants studied included bupropion, citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine. The study found that bupropion had the highest risk of causing hair loss, while paroxetine had the lowest risk.
There are different types of antidepressants, but they generally work by boosting levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine in the nervous system. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, weight loss, and a decrease in libido. Bupropion (sold as Wellbutrin, Contrave) is a versatile drug also used to help reduce cravings, which is helpful for weight loss and for those trying to quit smoking, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you’re taking bupropion and are worried about hair loss, talk to your doctor. They might suggest switching to a different medication or offer solutions to help with the hair loss.
