Drugs (Cause Hair Loss) – Page 24

March 25, 2008

Clobex and Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female) 2 years ago I was diagnosed with psoriasis on the scalp. I’ve had intermittent “flares” which responded moderately well to Taclonex but last sat. I tried Clobex. I let the ointment set overnight and then when I washed my hair the next evening my hair began to fall out in clumps and is now coming out diffusely EVERYWHERE on my scalp. I am just a few days from being bald. Could the Clobex have caused my entire head (not just the patch I applied it to), to go into a telogen effluvium like state? Will my hair grow back? Also, I just had the patch biopsied (never has been before) to confirm psoriasis. Ive been battling fatigue, night sweats, mod. weight loss, some angular chelosis, and am 25? Should I insist on a fungal culture, ANA, Lyme titer. Something is up….Ive used clobex before without these symptoms. Thanks so much.

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Clobex is a steroid shampoo, but hair falling out in clumps to a point of complete baldness with night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, etc is NOT NORMAL. You should not be seeking advice here on the Internet. You need to find a doctor and get an examination and diagnosis, along with an explanation of what may be going on.

March 20, 2008

Klonopin and Female Hair Loss – Balding Blog

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I recently saw my dermatologist over concern about thinning hair. I started taking the anti-convulsant klonopin almost a year ago, a few months after I cut off about 15 inches of dense hair to nill, so I didn’t pay attention to thinning the whole past year. My dermatologist looked at my part line at noted that my part was defiitely bigger on the top than on the back of my head. I also notified her that the hair on my forearms and legs were thicker since starting the klonopin. She said that it could be one of three things:

1) a really stressful year,
2) androgenic alopecia emerging (I’m 30) independently, or
3) drug induced alopecia and hirsutism caused by the klonopin with the klonopin possibly unmasking androgenic alopecia early.

She said that if the cause was drug related, even in the case of unmasking AGA early, alopecia would be reversible once I stopped taking the drug, reversible that is until I reached menopause and then it would reemerge. My maternal grandmother has the thinning hair but she didn’t get it until she menopausal. Is my dermatologist incorrect in assuming if the klonopin unmasked AGA, the hair will automtically grow back for the next ten years or so, after I stop taking the drug? I don’t understand this as I’ve read several places on the web that “unmasking” of AGA implies that hair growth is not going to revive temporarily if you stop taking a drug. I got really excited when she said if that was the case my hair would grow back the way it was until I reached menopause. Her plan for me was to get me off klonopin and see what happens, it would take about 3 months to taper off this drug, and then several months after that to see if it grows back. that if it doesn’t grow back it’s classic AGA having nothing to do with the klonopin as an early trigger at all. IN the meantime if it is there something I should do as a preventive factor, like go out and purchase rogaine and see if it works? Your input would be very much appreciated.

It sounds like your dermatologist has it covered and you should follow her advice. If you’d like a true second opinion, you’ll have to find another dermatologist in your area. Klonopin, like other benzodiazepines, can cause hair loss in some people.

I realize it isn’t what you were hoping to get out of me, but I don’t have nearly as much experience with Klonopin (clonazepam) as it seems your dermatologist does to add any significant value to what you have discussed here… though I appreciate you sharing your experience and wish you luck.

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March 20, 2008

Taking Multiple Medications — How Can I Pinpoint the Cause for My Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I was put on Lorazepam, Topamax, and Wellbutrin. After over a year on Wellbutin, about3 months on Lorazepam, and about 2 months on Topamax my hair has begun to get very thin and frizzy. I thought it was falling out, I am not sure if it is that or breakage. I got a haircut, bought rogaine and am using Nioxin hair products. Which of these meds could have caused this and is there any way to pinpoint which one?

Pinpointing the one or two medications that are participating in your hair loss is very difficult. You need to go over this with your prescribing doctor. Have you been worked up for the various medical conditions that can cause female hair loss?

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March 17, 2008

Hair Loss from Accutane — What Is It and How Can It Be Treated? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello and thank you for reading my questions. For reference, I am a 21 year old male. I am wondering if you could provide some information and statistics regarding accutane-induced hair loss. I am one of many accutane users who has experienced substantial hair loss due to the drug and have yet to find any reliable information about what to expect and what to do. I am specifically interested in any statistics you might be able to provide, or simply what you’ve observed yourself. What percentage of patients who experience hair loss from the drug end up getting their hair back? Do you have any information about the success rate of products like rogaine for treating this problem (I saw a hair loss specialist who recommended using it)? I’m really just looking for some information about this issue that I can trust, as the internet is riddled with personal testimonies and contradicting accounts.

In addition, I am interested to know if this subject (accutane hair loss) has been raised at any hair loss or dermatologist conferences or other events when those in your profession communicate? From the research I’ve done, it seems that many dermatologists still don’t believe that accutane can cause hair loss. My own dermatologist told me “that’s weird” when I first told her about my hair falling out after starting accutane. Moreover another dermatologist I saw immediately diagnosed my hair loss as genetic and put me on propecia. It wasn’t until I met with a hair loss specialist that a doctor agreed with me that accutane was the culprit.

From the accounts of people who have posted their own experiences online, I’ve gathered that some dermatologists consider it to be a form of tellogen effluvium while others diagnose and treat it as a form of diffuse alopecia areata. The logic behind the diffuse AA theory is that accutane causes an autoimmune response in some patients, resulting in hair loss. Considering that accutane has in rare cases caused lupus and other immune disorders, I found this to be a reasonable explanation. I have read some accounts from individuals stating that dermal kenalog shots seemed to help stop or slow down the hair loss. Have you heard any of these ideas before? If not, could you try and find out the next time you’re at a conference?

My major source of information is coming from what is turning into an online community of accutane hair loss victims at
acne.org

If you take the time to read through some of the accounts posted on here, you’ll see a variety of peoples experiences with accutane-induced hair loss. The prevailing opinion among some is the alopecia areata theory which I previously mentioned. I’d really appreciate it if you could provide me some additional insight into this issue. Also, do you know of any doctors who have experience treating patients with this problem who might have some of the answers i’m looking for if you’re unable to provide them? Thank you very much for your time and I’ll look forward to hearing back

I wish I could spend the proper amount of time researching your question to do it justice, but dermatology isn’t my strong point. I have personally only seen this problem a couple of times, but I hear that it is not uncommon amongst Accutane (isotretinoin) users. The only medications that I believe may be effective in treating this is minoxidil. The use of powerful steroids may make the problem worse, but I do not have much personal experience with Accutane, as I am a surgeon, not a dermatologist.

I forwarded your question to a number of highly qualified dermatologists and those that have responded stated that they don’t have an answer as to why hair loss occurs with Accutane use. The only treatment modalities suggested were minoxidil and finasteride. Again, I wish I could be more helpful to you, but at this point I’m kind of at a loss.

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March 17, 2008

Hair Spray and Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I am getting bald on top. Does cheap hair spray cause this cause I do use a lot of it? I am only on medicine liptor and zetia . Can this medicine cause hair loss. It is getting worse. What can I do? I am 67 years old

Although not a known side effect, the medication you are on may cause hair loss — or you may be experiencing genetic female hair loss, which is present in half of post menopausal women. You need to be examined by a good doctor and tested for a variety of medical conditions which can cause hair loss.

I highly doubt that it is caused by your hair spray.

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March 13, 2008

Female Hair Loss After Taking HGH – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I was going out of town to work on a strenous work project. I decided to take hgh when I started the job. While I was away, my hairline began receding and itching. I didn’t realize it was the HGH until too late, ten weeks of use. I am female and now must hide the front of my head with scarves and wraps. I’m using rogaine. Is there anything that can reverse hgh hair loss?

You may have done permanent damage, but you will not know for a full 8 months from the time you stopped the HGH (which can cause hair loss in some people). A hair transplant may have some value if you do not recover. Unfortunately, you’ll just have to wait and see.

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March 5, 2008

Paxil CR and Female Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a twenty-three year old woman taking 37.5 mg of Paxil CR and have experienced substantial hair loss. Could this have something to do with this medication which I’ve been taking for the past 5 year? Also, my hair doesn’t seem to be growing. I eat well- get plenty of protein and take calcium supplements with magnesium and vitamin d. What might I do to trigger hair growth?

I do not know the mechanisms for this side effect, but Paxil (paroxetine) is on WebMD’s list of medications that can potentially cause hair loss. You should discuss this with your prescribing doctor.

WebMD – Drug-Induced Hair Loss

February 29, 2008

Hair Loss InformationMesalamine and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have ulcerative colitis and have experienced Telogen effluvium a couple of times. I recently had a very small flare up and my Dr. put me on mesamaline enemas. I have been on them for about a month and noticed that my hair is falling out….this can’t be because of extreme blood loss or anything because I haven’t had that with the UC. Does mesamaline enemas cause hair loss. Secondly, with TE, the hair loss happens for about 5 months, when a med causes hair loss will the hair loss stop immediately when i quit the drug? Thank you

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There is a remote connection between mesalamine and hair loss. “Slight hair loss” is listed as a rare side effect from this medication. See the full list of possible side effects here. Looking at the potency of this medication in impacting rapidly growing cells, I am not surprised to expect such a relationship. Your ulcerative colitis in itself will cause hair loss when it is active in the form of telogen effluvium.

February 28, 2008

Female Hair Loss After Stopping Prednisone – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I was put on 40 milligrams of prednisone after I got out of the hospital from a major infection… ulcerative colitis. I was on predisone for a month. Well, a month later after I stopped it, I starting losing my hair. Could this be caused by the prednisone? (I was also on Asacol too.)

The entire stressful experience may have precipitated a telogen effluvium. Hopefully it will reverse on its own in 4-8 months. Both medications and the illness you had could have caused the hair loss.

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February 27, 2008

Hair Loss InformationFemale Hair Loss After Stopping Topamax – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I did not have hair loss while taking Topamas, but after weaning off of the Topamax, it was 3 months later when I started losing a ton of hair as described by others in this blog. I have been losing hair for a month now (I’m 4 months off of Topamax). I’m not taking birth control pills or DHEA. I too had all of my bloodwork done. I do have new hair growth, but I’m wondering when the hair loss will cease. Any estimates? Thanks very much.

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Topamax is an antiseizure medication known to produce hair loss. It sounds like you are going through a telogen effluvium and that you are cycling your hair, with some returning and others falling out. Wait this out for 8 months. Sometimes minoxidil helps move the process along.