After going through your regular bathroom routine, you shouldn’t be surprised to find stray hairs in the sink or shower. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, between 50 and 100 hairs fall out every day. However, if you notice that you’re losing more hair than you’d want to acknowledge, it can be because of a drug you’re taking. Hair loss is a relatively uncommon side effect, but some medications can make you lose a lot of hair by messing with the way your scalp normally grows hair. Continue reading to find out from a pharmacist which generic drugs might be the cause of your thinning hair and what you can do to stop it.
A class of medications known as beta-blockers is frequently administered to treat heart-related illnesses like excessive blood pressure. They consist of medications like metoprolol, atenolol, and propranolol (Inderal, Tenormin, Bisoprolol, and others) (Lopressor). Hair loss is a less prevalent side effect of beta-blockers than other side effects including fatigue and drowsiness. According to Persona Nutrition’s pharmacist and nutritionist Brandi Cole, PharmD, “Beta-blockers alter how your body reacts to adrenaline and other stress chemicals, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to decrease. These modifications are expected to affect hair growth at the follicle and may prevent the growth of new hairs.”
According to Cole, hair loss caused by vitamin deficits is associated with seizure drugs. “The most likely perpetrator is depakote, which is prescribed for treating seizures as well as a number of mental disorders. Supplementing with a multivitamin rich in hair-friendly B vitamins may help prevent or reduce hair loss brought on by some antiepileptic drugs.”
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are the most frequently given treatments for managing chronic pain diseases like arthritis (AAOS). Aspirin and ibuprofen, two NSAIDs that are available over-the-counter (OTC) and are frequently used to treat pain, are probably already recognisable to you. However, many NSAIDs need a prescription. These include fenoprofen, diclofenac, and celecoxib (Celebrex), among others (Nalfon). Sadly, every NSAID has a unique set of adverse effects. Stomach and gastrointestinal discomfort, high blood pressure, and kidney problems are typical symptoms.
