Drugs (Cause Hair Loss) – Page 12

February 10, 2010

Shedding More After Starting Minoxidil – Balding Blog

Dear Rassman,

First of all, let me thank you for the kind of attention you give to the balding community.

I have been told that I am suffering from MPB. As far as I can remember I first noticed it 6 years ago. I have used Fin and Minoxidil on and off but never more than 5-6 months and when I did, I never really paid much attention to the decline or progress due to the treatment. For the past year it has become rapid.

Since 4th Dec 2009 I have started a regular regime but I notice hair shedding from all over the head, obviously excluding the side and back of the head. I have a strong feeling it’s due to Minoxidil. I’m using the generic called Hair4u, indian make. Let me also tell u that earlier it was just the crown area(have miniaturised hair there but not very dense so my scalp shows distinctly)and had started in the temples as well. Now, its going from all over!!! It’s been almost 2 months but there’s only shedding no regrowth that I can notice. Please advise what to do.

It seems you are doing everything you can and if you stay on the minoxidil and finasteride on a regular basis for at least a year, you may see value for it. But genetic hair loss is what it is. As you said, you are shedding everywhere, excluding the sides and back of your scalp. This is classic genetic hair loss. Drugs such a finasteride and topical minoxidil will not stop the balding process completely. It may greatly postpone the balding process for some men, but it seems you are not in that category.

I have heard reports that minoxidil does cause some shedding initially (1-3 months). You may consider seeing a good doctor to get a full examination of your condition and do this properly with good baselines and a mapping of your scalp for miniaturization.

February 3, 2010

How Can Events Trigger MPB Onset? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hey Doc,

This is such a great site and I learn so much from here. I had some questions for you. I see you mention that certain events can cause an onset of MPB. Can you elaborate on this, as far as how certain events can cause an early start of MPB. Also, is it possible that a person may never have developed MPB even if he has to genes for it, if that person would have never engaged in an activity that that you say can cause an onset of MPB.

Last question, I asked you once about perscription meds causing hair loss. You indicated that a women should regain her hair back with in a year if the hair loss was caused by the meds. How long would it take for a male to regrow hair that was lost due to perscription drugs?

Thanks!

No one really knows exactly how it happens, but stressful events (such as a major illness) can start a process of genetic hair loss. It can also be such that the genetic hair loss was in progress all along and that the stressful event just made the hair loss more evident (with rapid hair loss during the stressful times), but I doubt that it’s possible to avoid MPB by avoiding these stressful events.

Prescription medications may cause hair loss, but that may be the last item on the list of possible reasons for your thinning hair. For both men and women, one year is a good, safe rule of thumb to wait for regrowth of hair that was caused by medications. But in the real world things are not so simple and there may also be other factors involved for the hair loss.

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January 28, 2010

Hair Loss InformationFinasteride Interactions? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr.,

I am a big fan of your site. I get to read your new posts everyday by subscribing to your RSS feeds. My question is, given that I take 1 tablet of 1mg Propecia everyday, will it interact with other supplements or even certain food?

For example, here’s a list of supplements that I take daily (i take throughout the day, separate times):
1. vitamin b complex and biotin
2. vitamin c
3. vitamin e
4. multi vitamin
5. omega complex
6. co-q10
7. methatione (gluthatione)

Or how about foods:
1. coffee
2. green tea w/ honey
3. soy milk
4. fiber (like wheat bread, fruits)

Just wondering if trying to be health by consuming these will counteract w/ Propecia or vice-versa? Hope this is a valid inquiry.

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I have been getting these sorts of questions quite frequently lately. The supplements and foods you’re consuming shouldn’t have any negative interaction with Propecia. The only interaction I can think of with food is with grapefruit, which causes problems for a variety of medications.

The following 16 drugs are listed as having a moderate interaction with finasteride (Propecia): bosentan, diltiazem, diltiazem/enalapril, efavirenz, efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, itraconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, rifapentine, saquinavir, sirolimus, tacrolimus, and voriconazole. And there’s 1 drug that has a mild interaction: terazosin. These are the generic names, and for a more complete list (including brand names) see Drugs.com.

January 28, 2010

Hair Loss InformationCyproterone Acetate and DHT – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr. Rassman,

I know this may sound like an odd question, but, would an antiandrogen such as Cyproterone Acetate reduce the levels of DHT in the male body? Would it preserve hair in a person with very little balding. I realize there are major side effects with this drug, but am still curious.

Thanks, and keep up the wonderful work, your blog is quite informative!

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Anti-androgens in men can cause a chemical castration, so yes, I would say that the side effects are major. A castrated male has no sex drive and may lose facial and body hair. Cyproterone is not something I’d suggest fooling around with.

The direct answer to your question comes from Wikipedia: “Some in vitro studies have suggested that cyproterone or cyproterone acetate may have a slight inhibitory effect on 5-alpha-reductase, however no significant reduction in DHT production has been observed in vivo.”

January 27, 2010

Hair Loss InformationI Feel Propecia Has Dramatically Increased My Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I feel that propecia has caused my hairloss to increase dramatically, I have been shedding rapidly for 3-4 months now and it is not slowing. My hair has become much thinner and is shedding in areas in which no hair loss was noticed before treatment. I am in the early stages of hair loss, with no completely bald areas. Is it possible that an increased period and volume of shedding is due to my high density?

I am becoming disenthused with the drug and am considering stopping it. In the 2nd month I missed 5 days of the drug and missed 3 days in the 5th month. Although a definite answer may not be possible, do you think I should stick with the drug as I may have begun treatment again after each period of missing the drug. If you think this is a possibility, it would help motivate me to continue, but please be honest.

Thanks

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Drugs like Propecia are supposed to halt the progression of the hair loss, but they’re not a cure and won’t stop your genetics from eventually taking course (just how long is anyone’s guess). In your case though, you’ve been seeing shedding since about the time you started taking the pill. I’ve received emails from men inquiring about an initial shedding phase after starting Propecia, and perhaps this is what you’re seeing. I’ve previously written about this phenomenon, but I don’t have any percentage of men that see shedding upon starting Propecia, nor do I know why it may occur in some men.

I’m always honest in my replies, but I can’t tell you to continue taking the medication as I didn’t prescribe it to you and don’t know your history. If your doctor prescribed Propecia to you, I’m hoping he/she took a miniaturization mapping of your scalp so that you can go back to see the changes, and together you can decide whether to stick with it or not.

January 14, 2010

Is Elocon Safe to Use on Transplanted Hair? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Doctor

this Elocon lotion is supposed to be massaged on the scalp topically in order to fight seb derm (a few drops per application, once a day for a few days)

Is it safe to use it on
a ) transplanted hair
b ) healthy non transplanted hair

Is there a hair loss risk , and if so , permanent or temporary ?

Thank you in advance

Elocon Elocon (mometasone) is a topical steroid and there is plenty of information on the Drugs.com site. It specifically states that Elocon can cause “swollen hair follicles”. Does this mean that you may lose hair? Well, the term swollen hair follicles is not one I am familiar with. Steroids applied to an area of hair loss can accelerate hair loss.

If I can provide some help it is that healthy non-transplanted hair is equal to transplanted hair. It is YOUR hair! I mean, that is one reason people get hair transplants and not wigs! So if a drug can harm your healthy hair, it can also harm your transplanted hair.

In the end, Elocon is a medication that needs to be prescribed by a physician. The use of topical steroids can be dangerous when not controlled by a doctor, so you need to discuss with your physician the risks and benefits of using such medication. Please do not read this as my trying to brush you off or not address your issues. My role here is limited and I give general opinions.

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January 13, 2010

Taking Propecia with Paxil? – Balding Blog

Hello

Thank you for this great site. I learn so much from here. Here is my question, SSRI drugs can cause hairloss as a side effect. Is this hairloss permanent and will taking propecia and a SSRI drug like paxil be beneficial in reducing the possibility of hairloss as a side effect of the SSRI drug?

thank you for the help.

Many drugs (including Paxil) can cause hair loss, but the hair loss from medication usually diffuse (not in a pattern). For the diffuse hair loss that occurs in women, the hair should grow back within about a year after stopping the medication. For men, taking Propecia (finasteride) will probably not protect against the hair loss that is caused by these medications.

Some people who feel that are losing hair from their drug may ALSO have androgenic alopecia. This is why you need to go see a doctor for a complete physical examination and a good diagnosis to distinguish the impact of the drug on the non-patterned component of the hair loss.

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January 11, 2010

Hair Loss After Partial Hysterectomy and Stresses of Life – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

In 2006 I had a partial hysterectomy (uterus only). This past July my doctor put me on 1 mg. of Divigel. I’ve noticed the past couple of months that my hair is falling out. I don’t know if it is the hormone replacement therapy or not. I should note that when I’ve had surgery or a stressful time in my life, I tend to shed, but the hair comes back. I’m wondering if my “empty nest” this fall or the Divigel is causing the hair loss. Any ideas?

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Divigel Stresses (emotional, surgical, medical, etc) can all cause some degree of hair loss. It usually takes about one year or so before you notice the hairs regrow once the stress is under control. Or, it could be the medication you’re on. Divigel (estradiol gel) does list mild hair loss as a common side effect.

It is best to discuss your concerns with your doctor that is treating you. On top of the stress and medication, there may be other medical issues that you are not aware of as well. In the end, hair loss for women is very frustrating for doctors and patients alike. There is no one magic bullet or a defining cause. And worse yet, there is no definitive treatment (let alone, a cure). Good luck.

January 5, 2010

NSAIDs and Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female) I have been experiencing hair loss for about 2 months now. It is just beginning to be noticable when I lift up sections of my hair. The hair loss is now accompanied by an itchy scalp but that may be due to the fact that I have had a problem with winter dandruff my whole life. I am wondering if the hair loss could be due to NSAID use.

I have been taking 4-8 200 mg ibuprofen almost every day for the past few months. There has been no major stresses in my life but I was told that I had low iron after giving birth to my son 2.5 yrs ago. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

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Just to clarify for those readers that may not be familiar with “NSAIDS”, it stands for “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” and you likely have them in your medicine cabinet. Some common NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.

Back to your question — as I am not your doctor, it is difficult to answer this. Low iron can cause hair loss, and even ibuprofen has been reported as a cause of hair loss in some. As I’ve said many times before, causes for female hair loss are difficult to nail down and could be from a variety of possible issues. I’d run some tests with your doctor.

January 4, 2010

Hair Loss InformationCreatine Increases DHT? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Based on the questions and answers on your excellent blog, you seem to have taken an ambivalent position on creatine and hair loss in the past. I am 25 and very athletic, and I have a medical background so would never consider taking steroids or other dangerous substances. Creatine is a safe and effective athletic supplement that I have been taking for some time, but a recent study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine found that creatine raised serum DHT by 40 percent when taken at the moderate dose of 5 grams per day. In addition, creatine has recently been shown to increase the ratio of DHT to testosterone in young athletes. Do you think this is sufficient evidence for young hair loss sufferers to entirely avoid this otherwise excellent ergogenic aid?

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I found the study you’re referencing — Three Weeks of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation Affects Dihydrotestosterone to Testosterone Ratio in College-Aged Rugby Players

The study was very limited (only 20 men) and the amount of creatine taken can vary wildly amongst those that use it, but I would avoid creatine if it indeed increases DHT levels in the body and you’re worried about possible hair loss. The study itself concludes, “Further investigation is warranted as a result of the high frequency of individuals using creatine supplementation and the long-term safety of alterations in circulating androgen composition.”

I appreciate you bringing it to my attention.