Category: Drugs (Cause Hair Loss)

Dear Doctor,

I am a 40 year old male living in the UK with no particularly visible signs of balding though I noticed over the last couple of years my scalp was becoming visible when having my hair cut wet at the barbers. I started taking Propecia (I used an online clinic here in the UK) about two years ago as I was just keen to preserve the hair I have (which hitherto had been wavy and thick) Since then I have lost all the hairs on my arms, my chest hair has disappeared and my pubic hair is rapidly dissipating. The hair on my head has thinned out all over to an alarming degree particularly over the last three months (especially at the side of my head and the base of my neck)and there is a constant tingling/burning sensation in my scalp. I would be most grateful for any advice (even if just a recommendation of someone in the UK you could recommend)as I am totally despairing of what is happening and just don’t know what I should do as looking at previous queries on your blog it seems that stopping may actually exacerbate matters.

Taking any drug when it is not necessary exposes you to side effects of the drug. Better not take a drug unless you understand the benefits and liabilities. Plus, medication you buy on the Internet may not be what you think you are buying (particularly prescription drugs purchased without a prescription). I’m glad you realize you need to see a doctor, and while I am a doctor, you really need a physician who can actually examine you directly and treat you.

The loss of body hair is a potential side effect of Propecia but it would take considerable time to see that side effect (which is very, very rare). There are other conditions that can cause body hair loss, and a good dermatologist should be able to help you in that regard. I don’t have any physician recommendations in the UK, but you can use the search at ISHRS.org to find a hair transplant doctor in your area (don’t get talked into surgery though — these doctors just understand hair).

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(female) I have been using Ambien for about 4 years. I am losing my hair and get tingling feelings and sometimes my scalp feels sore in places. Can Ambien cause this, it seems to have gotten worse since June when I had an MRI done of my head to rule out MS. What can you tell me. Thanks

I’ve not read anything that says Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) can cause hair loss. There are a couple of unverified reports I found online, but nothing in the official literature.

I can not comment on your other symptoms. Sounds like you already have an expert working with you, but based on the information you stated, your doctor must think there is something going on (since you were screened for multiple sclerosis) and you need to have a down to earth discussion with your doctor on the differential diagnosis here.

Hi doctor,
Does taking sexual stimulant tablet or testosterone booster, prevents finasteride to work full?

Ask the doctor that is providing you sexual stimulants or testosterone boosters before starting or stopping any medication (including finasteride). Generally, what do you mean by a sexual stimulant? Viagra? Or some pill you buy from the back of a men’s magazine? There are many items that could qualify as a sexual stimulant.

Testosterone is an anabolic steroid that is generally illegal to use without the supervision of a prescribing doctor due to many side effects, such as liver damage. It can also cause increased androgenic alopecia (AGA) so if you are taking testosterone (or boosters), clearly that will ‘pull’ in the opposite direction of finasteride on your hair loss, thus defeating the purpose of using finasteride at all.

I am a 59 year old male. I began taking Androgel due to low testosterone levels and ED. Shortly after taking this drug my hair began falling out.

I decided to try to increase my testosterone levels through diet and excercise and possibly supplements, so I stopped using the Androgel. 2 to 3 weeks later I am still experiencing hair loss. When can I expect the hair loss to stop?

Androgel or testosterone can cause accelerated androgenic alopecia (AGA), even at 59 years old. You should discuss your concerns with your doctor, as you should not stop or start any medication without talking with your prescribing physician. There may be medications (such as Propecia) to slow the hair loss, but again, please talk to your doctor.

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First I must say great website. I’ve looked on this thing at least 50 times this past year.

1. My shrink prescribed me Buspirone on top of my Remeron and I looked into the Buspirone and it warns about using it with ketoconazole (Nizoral) and I use the shampoo but I’m also aware that ketoconazole can be taken orally. So what I’m wondering is if the warning is directed towards the pill form of ketoconazole? My shrink says it should be fine but hair loss isn’t really her area of expertise. Also, I’ve been taking Propecia for almost two years and using Rogaine foam for a little over a year and was wondering if the Remeron or Buspirone would prevent Propecia or Rogaine Foam from doing it’s job. The answer I get from my doc is that it should be O.K. as far as she knows. Well, “SHOULD” and “AS FAR AS SHE KNOWS” isn’t the $200 an hour answer i’m looking for.

I ask this because also I’ve been taking HGH releasers for the past two months. One month less than I’ve been on the Remerol and I have experienced quite a bit of hair loss. I’m pretty sure it’s the HGH, but I want to be certain. And if it is the HGH, then people need to read section 2 of this post.

2. I’ve been using HGH releasers for two months. STAY AWAY from them if hair loss is your concern. I’ve had unrealistically awesome results in my frontal area hairline (including the temples) with rogaine foam and a halt in the actual loss process from Propecia (Actually I use Finax and it’s offensivly cheaper). Well, I’ve lost about 70% of the Rogaine dependent hair in the past two months. I just stopped the HGH so I can’t really say if it will grow back or not. I read on here before I made the purchase and saw negative posts about HGH but I wasn’t sure if these people were refering to the releasers or the injections, so I went for it and boy was that a bite on the ass. The brand I used was GenF20 (someone else on here complained about Jintropin, so I went with this one) and like all HGH releasers, they claim that they’ll help with hair loss and also a thicker density. Well it helped with hair loss all right. Helped me schedule an appointment with a Transplant Doctor.

Again, Great site. It’s been really helpful.

Those medications (buspirone and Remeron) can cause hair loss and HGH is also known to do it. Finasteride may help you and I do not see reasons for you not to take it, but you need to check this out with your doctor. Thanks for sharing all of the above information. I am sure that our readers will find it interesting.

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