Prescription and over-the-counter drugs you’re taking could be stealthily accelerating your hair loss. Los Angeles-based anesthetist, Dr. Zain Hasan, has issued a warning about five commonly used medications – including anti-depressants, blood thinners, and anti-acne creams – that could cause alopecia or halt hair follicles’ activity.
Dr. Hasan has taken to social media to alert his 636,000 followers about these drugs, stating, ‘If you want to keep your hair, you wanna know about these five medications.’ The first on his list is the antidepressant Wellbutrin. This prescription drug increases good hormones in the brain to boost mood, but studies have shown it can also cause hair loss in both male and female patients.
@doctarz Five medications that cause hairloss. #doctor #hairstyle #nurse ♬ original sound – Dr Zain Hasan
Research from 2018 found that among one million new users of nine common antidepressants, those on bupropion – the brand name for Wellbutrin – were the most likely to suffer from hair loss. This side effect has been reported by thousands of users online, with some even admitting it left them ‘terrified’ and unwilling to leave their homes.
Retinoid drugs for acne treatment, such as Accutane or isotretinoin, were next on Dr. Hasan’s list. Prescribed to more than a million people in the US each year, hair loss is a rare but possible side effect for those on higher doses. A recent 2022 study found that about six percent of high-dose isotretinoin users reported hair loss.
Blood thinners or anticoagulants like Eliquis, Warfarin, and Heparin were also cited by Dr. Hasan. Taken by up to 18 million people per year, these drugs can cause hair loss two to four months after starting the medication.
Beta blockers such as metoprolol – brand name Lopressor – commonly used for treating high blood pressure, were also included in this list. With over 26 million Americans taking these drugs each year, rare reports of hair loss have been documented.
Lastly, Dr. Hasan noted tamoxifen, a cancer treatment medication known by its brand name Nolvadex. About one in three people who take this drug experience hair loss since it interferes with the hair’s cycle by lowering estrogen levels in the body.
Dr. Hasan advised patients to consult with their doctors before considering discontinuing any prescription drug.
This warning from Dr. Hasan sheds light on a little-known side effect of some widely used medications, exposing a potential health concern that could affect tens of millions of people. The implications of this are significant, as hair loss can have a profound impact on an individual’s self-esteem and mental health.
Anti-depressants like Wellbutrin, for example, are intended to improve mood and mental well-being. However, if they induce hair loss – a condition often associated with increased stress and lowered self-confidence – they could potentially counteract some of their therapeutic benefits. Similar concerns apply to acne treatments such as Accutane, where the objective is to improve physical appearance and self-esteem.
The link between these drugs and hair loss also raises questions about the way medications are prescribed and the communication around potential side effects. Considering the psychological impact of hair loss, doctors may need to discuss these potential side effects more explicitly with their patients before prescribing these medications.
The inclusion of cancer treatment drug tamoxifen in Dr. Hasan’s list also highlights a key challenge faced by many cancer patients: the undesirable side effects of life-saving treatments. Hair loss is a well-known side effect of chemotherapy, but it’s less widely recognized that other cancer treatments can also cause similar issues.
In conclusion, while medications like anti-depressants, acne treatments, blood thinners, beta blockers, and cancer drugs can be crucial for treating serious health conditions, it’s important for patients to be fully informed about potential side effects – including those that could impact their quality of life in unexpected ways. As always, any concerns should be discussed with healthcare professionals who can provide guidance based on individual health circumstances.
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