Drugs most commonly responsible for the development of hirsutism include testosterone, danazol, corticotrophin ACTH , metyrapone, anabolic steroids and glucocorticoids. Hypertrichosis is a common adverse effect of cyclosporin, minoxidil and diazoxide. Abstract A large number of drugs may interfere with the hair cycle and produce hair loss. Publication types Review. Chemotherapy drugs may be the best-known cause of drug-induced alopecia.
However, hair loss is a possible side effect of many different medications. Read on to discover which medications can cause drug-induced alopecia and learn how to stop or reverse hair loss. The effects of drug-induced alopecia often appear within 3 months of an individual starting on a particular medication. A person who experiences drug-induced alopecia will usually notice thinning hair as opposed to patchy hair loss.
However, the hair loss may be more apparent on the top of the scalp. Other early signs of alopecia include a noticeable increase in the number of shed hairs in hairbrushes and shower drains and on pillows.
Different drugs cause hair loss at different stages of the hair growth cycle. Some medications affect hairs in the resting telogen phase, while others affect hairs in the growing anagen phase. It is normal for people to lose at least telogen phase hairs per day. However, certain stressors, such as fever , nutritional imbalances, and some medications, can cause this number to increase. Some medications that cause hair loss affect hairs in the growing stage.
The most notable example is chemotherapy drugs. Hair loss can begin within 2—5 weeks of starting chemotherapy. However, individuals who receive the same drugs and undergo the same treatment can still have different hair loss experiences. In rare cases, medications that contain the following ingredients can also cause hair loss during the anagen phase:.
Colchicine Colcrys , which doctors use to treat gout , can also sometimes cause the loss of hairs in the growing stage. Where possible, the best way to treat drug-induced alopecia is to stop taking the medication responsible for the hair loss.
The doctor will discuss any alternative treatment options and ensure that a person switches safely to any new medications. Once a person stops taking the medication that caused the alopecia, it can take half a year for the hair to stop shedding. It'll take at least six months of treatment to prevent further hair loss and to start hair regrowth. It may take a few more months to tell whether the treatment is working for you.
If it is helping, you'll need to continue using the medicine indefinitely to retain the benefits. Possible side effects include scalp irritation and unwanted hair growth on the adjacent skin of the face and hands. Finasteride Propecia. This is a prescription drug for men. You take it daily as a pill. Many men taking finasteride experience a slowing of hair loss, and some may show new hair growth. It may take a few months to tell whether it's working for you.
You'll need to keep taking it to retain any benefits. Finasteride may not work as well for men over Rare side effects of finasteride include diminished sex drive and sexual function and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Women who are or may be pregnant need to avoid touching crushed or broken tablets. A typical hair transplant involves removing patches of hair from your head and reinserting the hair follicle by follicle into the bald sections.
In the most common type of permanent hair loss, only the top of the head is affected. Hair transplant, or restoration surgery, can make the most of the hair you have left. During a hair transplant procedure, a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon removes hair from a part of the head that has hair and transplants it to a bald spot.
Each patch of hair has one to several hairs micrografts and minigrafts. Sometimes a larger strip of skin containing multiple hair groupings is taken. This procedure doesn't require hospitalization, but it is painful so you'll be given a sedation medicine to ease any discomfort. Possible risks include bleeding, bruising, swelling and infection.
You may need more than one surgery to get the effect you want. Hereditary hair loss will eventually progress despite surgery. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a low-level laser device as a treatment for hereditary hair loss in men and women. A few small studies have shown that it improves hair density. More studies are needed to show long-term effects. You might want to try various hair care methods to find one that makes you feel better about how you look.
For example, use styling products that add volume, color your hair, choose a hairstyle that makes a widening part less noticeable. Use wigs or extensions, or shave your head. Talk with a hair stylist for ideas. These approaches can be used to address permanent or temporary hair loss. If your hair loss is due to a medical condition, the cost of a wig might be covered by insurance. You're likely to first bring your concerns to the attention of your family doctor.
He or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in the treatment of skin problems dermatologist. Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For hair loss, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions.
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