Causes of Hair Loss -Medications

I’ve seen many women who’ve had hair loss, and the cause varies greatly. In fact, several types of hair loss can occur in women for a number of reasons. Some relate to hormones while other causes include diseases, medications, and heredity.

Medications Chemotherapy is the most well known medication to cause hair loss. However, they’re certainly not the only drugs that cause hair loss. Immunosuppressants are one variety of medications known to cause hair loss. One specific example is methotrexate. Drugs in this category treat patients who have immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

When these medications target the immune system cells, they can affect rapidly growing cells like your hair follicles. Some acne medications like isotretinoin might cause hair loss, hair shedding, or hair thinning. Acne drugs can damage the hair follicles or cause an overabundance of vitamin A in your system. It may also cause nutrient deficiencies or affect your hormone levels, both of which can lead to alopecia.

Weight loss medications have the potential to cause, or exasperate previous, nutrient deficiencies that trigger hair loss.

Other examples of drugs that can contribute to hair loss include the following:

• Anti-hypertensives

• Anticoagulants

• Cholesterol-lowering medications

• Antifungals

• Antibiotics

• Mood stabilizers

• Hormone replacement therapy

• Corticosteroids