Category: Drugs (Cause Hair Loss)

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Hair Loss from Accutane After 5 Months of Treatment – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I took Accutane and began losing hair in my fifth and final month of treatment. I lost about 30% of my hair. My doctor has emphasized to me that I have telogen effluvium and that my hair will grow back if given time. However, I am skeptical. It’s been 6 months since I lost the hair. And I am a 23-year-old male with some history of MPB in my family.

Interestingly, I stopped shedding 3 months ago. My question is: is it a bad sign that I stopped shedding but haven’t grown any hair back yet? And do you really believe Accutane causes a “pure” telogen effluvium, or are there any other mechanisms at work?

An answer to these questions would be appreciated. Thank you.

If it is pure telogen effluvium your hair should start to grow back after about about 6 months. In rare instances it may take longer. With some family history of MPB and if you also suspect some degree of MPB, you may consider a miniaturization study to see if there is a pattern to your hair loss.

With respect to Accutane, it may cause hair loss as a side effect, but there is no mechanism of why hair loss occurs. I have unfortunately seen people with Accutane hair loss that has not returned. Only time will tell.

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Late 50s, Noticing Acceleration in Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am 57 years old and have maintained a good head of hair (albeit grey these days) throughout my adult life. I did notice in my late teens and early 20’s some recession at the temples, but overall I have what is considered to be good “coverage” when compared to others in my age group.

I have been on Flomax for a urinary flow issue (high bladder neck) and Androgel for hormone replacement for 5 years now. Recently, I added Plavix, Enalapril, 81mg aspirin and Vytorin to the regimen because of an angioplasty and to lower my lipids.

In addition, I take Fish Oil, Folic Acid (5mg) Saw Palmetto and CoQ10 (200mg) although these are not prescribed, only suggested.

Recently, I have noticed some acceleration in hair loss at the crown and frontal area, although it’s progressing slowly and mildly.

I am wondering if the new combination of drugs might be the reason, or if this is simply the natural progression of MBP. I imagine at this point a minaturization study would be a good idea instead of speculating on the impact of my drug cocktail.

Please advise, and thanks for your excellent site as well as your candid, well-researched and scientific approach to this problem.

Yes, I believe a miniaturization study may be of benefit. Genetic male pattern balding (MPB) may be a cause of your hair loss, but is rare (although not unheard of) to occur so late in life. Of note, taking Androgel may contribute to the MPB due to its androgenic properties. However, you should always consult with your physician before starting or stopping any medication. It is unusual that hair loss starts in a person of your age, so I would look to the medications that you use as a possible cause.

If your hair loss is related to MPB, there are medications (such a Propecia) that MAY offset it.

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In the News – Antibiotic Could Prevent Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

“Toshiyuki Sakai said his team had found “alopestatin” reduced hair loss by 70 percent when used on rats also given etoposide anti-cancer drugs.” The focus here appears to be for those using chemotherapy, but who knows where it will take them as they explore this technology. The article goes on to say that there are no clinical tests currently underway.

Read the article — Antibiotic could prevent hair-loss

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Taking Levothyroxine and Lupron — Minoxidil Is Making My Hair Loss Worse – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

(female) I am in my 50’s and my hair is thinning in the front & top causing major anzxiety! I was on 200mg of levothyroxine for 3 years and still shedding hair. Now my doctor reduced to 175 and said I was on too much RX although I felt great. For the last 8 yrs I have been shedding hair so I don’t think it was the dosage. I have major stress seeing so much hair loss – males in the family are bald – is that going to happen to me?? I do not take any other medication however, I recently was put on Lupron for a possible hysterectomy. I don’t know what to do. I am taking minoxidil but it looks like it makes my hair fall out even more. What lab tests should I get? What should I do? —depressed in DC

You should have this conversation with your doctor. Anxiety with AGA does not bode well. Add to that medications that are known to have some hair loss side effect, and the problem is compounded. My heart goes out to you.

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Hair Loss InformationDilantin and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I have been on Dilantin (phenytoin) tablets for a long time since a seizure following neurocisticircossis ten years ago. I don’t have any problem now but have not stopped the medicine yet. The doctor said you can stop it, but to avoid the risk of a seizure you may continue with one tablet (100mg) a day. Of late, I have been losing hair. I noticed it when I started losing facial hair. My moustache and the hair on the left part of my chest had started greying early, ie. some 8 years ago. I am now 43.

Could Dilantin be the reason for the hair loss? How can I prevent it?

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Hair loss has been reported as rare side effect of Dilantin. Because of the infrequency of this side effect, it is warranted to consider more common possibilities such as male or female pattern baldness before blaming the hair loss on medication. The other important factors that should be considered before making the diagnosis are: family history of baldness and miniaturization status of your hair. You need to be evaluated by a good hair specialist before coming to the conclusion of stopping your medication because of its possible side effect. People on Dilantin need to get their priorities straight if they are losing hair possibly from their medication and get advice from the doctor prescribing it.

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Female Hair Loss After Steroid Shots to Scalp – Balding Blog

Hi Doctor,

I see that you replied to another curious Jane that steriod shots to the scalp exacerbated hair loss in one of your patients. I have recently had such shots injected and have noticed an abnormal influx in hair loss near injection sites. Will this loss be potentially recovered or is it permanent?

Thank you!

Injection of steroids is not one of the proven treatment methods for treatment of male or female pattern baldness. The only indication for treating hair loss with steroid injections is in the treatment of autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata, in which the patient has patchy hair loss in the scalp and other hairy areas of the body. I have seen too many patients that lost hair in and around the area of steroid injections. Hair loss could be permanent in some of these cases.




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Are ALL Steroids Bad? What About Prescribed Topical Corticosteroids? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

In your July 21st blog entry, you clearly mention that all steroids are bad – both for your body and toward precipitating hair loss. However, specifically what about topical corticosteroids, such as Luxiq? Last year, my dermatologist diagnosed me with seborrheic dermatitis on my scalp and proscribed me Luxiq to take pretty much indefinitely. Could this drug worsen my hair loss? I’m very concerned that I may be doing something that is speeding up my rate of hair loss! Please respond.

Steroids cause hair loss. I personally do not recommend daily or twice daily use of steroids for seborrheic dermatitis. Occasional use one or two treatments a week may not impact hair loss but it should be used sparingly.

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Steroids and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Does hair loss from steroids effect just the back of the head or the front hairline as well? Any idea what steroids are the easiest on the hair?

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Steroids are bad news, not only for your hair, but for your body as well. It accelerates genetic balding where ever you are going to lose the hair. Most people lose hair in the front, so steroid acceleration may impact your frontal hair faster. I will not recommend one steroid over another.

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Increased Hair Loss from Finasteride – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hello Dr.Rassman,

I am a 28 year old person who is balding and reads your blog with great interest. I’m not very bald though as yet and I have been taking finasteride for 4 months now. I am going to again ask you a question which has been previously answered by you.

Do you think finasteride causes increase in shedding in the frontal and the temporal region?

I am experiencing very heavy shedding since last one month. I believe I have become more bald in last one to one and half months than I would have become in 2 years had I not gone on this medication. I am more bald and more sad. I know you have previously stated that in your experience finasteride should not cause increased shedding, but after extensive search on the internet I have come to a conclusion that once your are on this drug, increased shedding in the front and side is a fact experienced by numerous people who emphasize earnestly that its just not their regular shedding which is coincident with the start of medication. I am not sure if you can understand them. I can because I am going through it.

There is guy who claims to be a physician and is planning to sue the company as this shedding is not mentioned as a side effect in the official drug literature. I hope this gives you an idea of the gravity of the situation. As for my case, please tell me what do you think. Should I continue the medication? I am in catch 22. As an aside, to the people who are experiencing sexual side effects I would like to recommend taking some time out and working out. I perform better sexually during the period I workout.

I have answered your question in the past and this answer was based upon the large number of people who have been prescribed Propecia by me. I do not remember anyone who has had your complaint, but an internet group of doctors collectively have reported some cases of shedding of hair on the drug. Frankly, it makes no sense to me in that 5 alpha reductase blockade should not impact shedding. There are two comments worth making:

    1. If you are having concerns about a drug side-effect, then stop the drug and take the alternative risks. This is not a life saving process, just a hair saving process which may be thought analogous to life saving by some people.

    2. Hair loss is a progressive process that comes on in spurts, of periods of accelerated loss and periods of less loss or stability. What you are going through may be one of your normal cycles, coincident with your taking Propecia. Everything you are observing may not be Cause / Effect.

Frankly, I am only a clinician with a great deal of experience with this drug prescribing it to many young and older men. I am only reporting what I know, but I will pass this question to Merck and see what they say about it.

I will publish their answer when I get it from them.

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