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The average adult has about 100,000 scalp hairs.[1] Although shedding up to approximately 100 of these hairs per day is considered normal,[2] exceeding this amount can manifest in evident hair loss, causing considerable psychological distress for many affected individuals.[3]
The most common form of hair loss, or alopecia, is genetically determined (known as androgenetic alopecia, or male-pattern hair loss) and causes the hair to recede progressively, resulting in permanent baldness....
The average adult has about 100,000 scalp hairs.[1] Although shedding up to approximately 100 of these hairs per day is considered normal,[2] exceeding this amount can manifest in evident hair loss, causing considerable psychological distress for many affected individuals.[3]
The most common form of hair loss, or alopecia, is genetically determined (known as androgenetic alopecia, or male-pattern hair loss) and causes the hair to recede progressively, resulting in permanent baldness. Additionally, hair loss can be triggered by several factors, including childbirth, thyroid imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, surgery, extreme stress and menopause.[4]
But numerous frequently used drugs also are implicated in alopecia.[5] It is important to recognize these drugs and distinguish the types of hair loss they can induce.
The hair cycle
Each hair follicle (root) cycles through three successive phases.[6] In the first phase, which can last from two to six years depending on genetics, the hair follicle is actively growing. Approximately 85% of scalp hair is in this phase at any time.
In the second phase, which lasts about two weeks, the hair follicle pulls away from its blood supply and pauses growing. Then, it becomes completely inactive and falls out in the third (or “resting”) phase, which lasts from one to four months. Up to 15% of hairs are in this phase at any time.
Some drugs can cause hair loss by interfering with this normal hair cycle.
Types of drug-induced hair loss
The most common form of drug-induced hair loss occurs due to the premature transition of an increased number of actively growing hair follicles into the resting phase.[7] Hair shedding becomes noticeable two to three months after starting the provoking drug. The hairs come out by the roots, resulting in hair thinning that is generalized, is not limited to a certain area and does not progress to baldness or bare patches.[8] The severity of hair thinning in these cases depends on the drug type and dosage as well as the individual patient’s sensitivity to the drug.[9] The good news is that hair loss in most of these cases is reversed once the causal drug is identified and discontinued.[10] However, it takes several months before the hair returns to its previous state, given the natural lag in the hair cycle.
The second type of hair shedding is seen almost exclusively with use of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs.[11] These treatments have direct toxic effects on the hair follicles during their active (growth) phase.[12] Hair loss begins much sooner — one to three weeks after starting the drug — and becomes most apparent at one to two months. As most scalp hairs are in the active phase at any given time, the resulting hair loss is extensive. Hair follicles resume their normal growth within several weeks of stopping treatment.[13] However, hair color or texture alterations are possible.
A list of examples of non-chemotherapy drugs commonly implicated in hair loss is presented in the Table below.
Examples of Drugs Associated With Hair Loss†
| Drug Groups | Example Drugs[14] |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics |
|
| Cholesterol-lowering drugs |
|
| Depression drugs |
|
| Fungal infection drugs |
|
| Heart and hypertension drugs |
|
| Hormonal drugs |
|
| Immunosuppressants |
|
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
|
| Retinoid drugs for acne or other skin disorders |
|
| Thyroid drugs |
|
†Combination brand name drug products excluded
*Designated as Do Not Use if Over 60 by Worst Pills, Best Pills News
**Designated as Limited Use by Worst Pills, Best Pills News
***Designated as Do Not Use by Worst Pills, Best Pills News
Diagnosis and treatment
No standard test can identify whether a particular drug is behind hair loss, but you may be able to identify a possible causal drug based on when you started taking it and when hair loss began, if your health care provider rules out non–drug-related causes.[15]
Drug-related hair loss often will stop on its own within four to six months of stopping a causal drug,[16] with no other treatment necessary. This is the safest approach for handling drug-induced hair loss. For patients with persistent hair loss that does not improve after cessation of the provoking drug, some health care providers recommend topical over-the-counter minoxidil (ROGAINE, THEROXIDIL), which is available in 2% and 5% concentrations.[17] However, topical minoxidil has not been studied adequately in, or approved specifically for, patients with drug-induced hair loss, so we advise against such treatment.
No drug can prevent hair loss due to chemotherapy. The FDA several years ago approved a “scalp-cooling” device for reducing the likelihood of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in women with breast cancer.[18] These devices reduce blood flow to the hair follicles, ostensibly making it harder for chemotherapy drugs to damage them.[19] A recently published systematic review identified three randomized clinical trials that showed scalp cooling can reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss in patients with breast cancer.[20] However, scalp cooling can cause significant adverse effects, including headache, dizziness, scalp pain, neck pain and feeling cold.
What You Can Do
For healthy hair, avoid stress, treat any underlying disease, and eat healthy, nutritious food with adequate amounts of proteins, vitamins, iron and zinc.
If you suspect your hair loss is due to a certain drug, consult with your doctor. Before the consultation, prepare a detailed account of all the prescription and over-the-counter medications that you were or have been taking within four months of the onset of your hair loss.[21]
Avoid products not approved by the FDA for treating drug-induced hair loss, because their effectiveness has not been proven and they likely carry risks of adverse effects.
References
[1] Harrison S, Bergfeld W. Diffuse hair loss: Its triggers and management. Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(6):361-367.
[2] Bergfeld WF, Mulinari-Brenner F. Shedding: How to manage a common cause of hair loss. Cleve Clin J Med. 2001;68(3):256-261.
[3] Mubki T, Rudnicka L, Olszewska M, Shapiro J. Evaluation and diagnosis of the hair loss patient: Part I. History and clinical examination. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):415.e1-415.e15.
[4] Bergfeld WF, Mulinari-Brenner F. Shedding: How to manage a common cause of hair loss. Cleve Clin J Med. 2001;68(3):256-261.
[5] Patel S, Tosti A. An overview of management of drug-induced hair and nail disorders. Clin Pract. 2014;11(3):327-339.
[6] Lesiak K, Bartlett JR, Frieling GW. Drug-induced alopecia. In: Cutaneous Drug Eruptions. London: Springer; 2015: 215-227.
[7] Harrison S, Bergfeld W. Diffuse hair loss: Its triggers and management. Cleve Clin J Med. 2009;76(6):361-367.
[8] Mubki T, Rudnicka L, Olszewska M, Shapiro J. Evaluation and diagnosis of the hair loss patient: Part I. History and clinical examination. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;71(3):415.e1-415.e15.
[9] Patel S, Tosti A. An overview of management of drug-induced hair and nail disorders. Clin Pract. 2014;11(3):327-339.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Tosti A, Pazzaglia M. Drug reactions affecting hair: Diagnosis. Dermatol Clin. 2007;25(2):223-231.
[12] Lesiak K, Bartlett JR, Frieling GW. Drug-induced alopecia. In: Cutaneous Drug Eruptions. London: Springer; 2015:215-227.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Tosti A, Pazzaglia M. Drug reactions affecting hair: Diagnosis. Dermatol Clin. 2007;25(2):223-231.
[15] Patel M, Harrison S, Sinclair R. Drugs and hair loss. Dermatol Clin. 2013;31(1):67-73.
[16] Lesiak K, Bartlett JR, Frieling GW. Drug-induced alopecia. In: Cutaneous Drug Eruptions. London: Springer; 2015:215-227.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Food and Drug Administration. Letter to Dignitana AB, re. DigniCa Scalp Cooling System. December 8, 2015. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf15/den150010.pdf. Accessed July 23, 2021.
[19] Patel S, Tosti A. An overview of management of drug-induced hair and nail disorders. Clin Pract. 2014;11(3):327-339.
[20] Wang S, Yang T, Shen A, et al. The scalp cooling therapy for hair loss in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Apr 13. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06188-8. Online ahead of print.
[21] Lesiak K, Bartlett JR, Frieling GW. Drug-induced alopecia. In: Cutaneous Drug Eruptions. London: Springer; 2015:215-227.
