7 Common Medications That Can Cause Sudden Hair Loss in Women Over 50
Is one of your prescriptions on the list?
We’ve all seen television commercials for prescription drugs that rattle off endless side effects. But many people are surprised to hear that a little-known drawback of many popular medications is hair loss. And the list of meds is much longer than the obvious chemotherapy. It includes everyday drugs that millions of Americans are currently taking. That can be a tough pill to swallow, especially for women over 50 who may already be dealing with hormone-related hair thinning. Keep reading to learn more about the most common prescription medications that cause hair loss.
Why do some medications cause hair loss?
If you’re thinking, ‘Wait, my doctor never told me my medicine could cause hair loss,’ you’re not alone. Some 29 percent of patients taking medications report never being told about potential side effects, according to one survey. So we’re here to fill the information gap.
“Most medications that have a side effect of hair loss do so because they interrupt the natural growth cycle of your hair,” says hair loss expert Jason Murphy, PharmD, at Chemist4U. He points out that our hair tends to grow in three different phases—active growth (anagen phase), rest (telogen phase) and shedding (exogen phase). “Some medicines can push more hairs than usual into the shedding phase at once.”
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Murphy adds, “Other drugs can affect hormone balance, nutrient absorption or blood flow to your scalp, which can all impact how well your hair grows.” How soon does the damage show up? “Hair loss usually appears a few months after starting treatment.”
7 types of medications that can cause hair loss
“Several prescription medications trigger ‘telogen effluvium,’ or a temporary shift in the hair growth cycle that in most cases is reversible,” says internist Mira Kaga, MD, of The Kaga Institute of Medicine and Aesthetics. Are you taking one of the most common culprits? Check out the list:
Diet drugs
“Rapid weight-loss medications can shift hair follicles into a shedding phase,” says Harvard-, Oxford- and Stanford-trained dermatologist R. Sonia Batra, MD, of Batra Skincare. She’s hinting at popular medications like Ozempic.
“There is definitely more awareness surrounding hair loss these days because of the increase in GLP-1 medications and this diet drug class as a whole,” she adds. In this case, “The hair loss isn’t usually a direct drug effect, but rather because of rapid weight loss and nutritional shifts.”
Antidepressants
Stress is a known risk factor when it comes to hair loss. And Dr. Batra says use of antidepressants, including SSRIs and bupropion, are also linked to hair loss.
What do they have to do with hair? “Some antidepressants can lead to hair thinning by altering hormone levels that support follicle health,” Murphy explains.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Some natural hormones, like estrogen, protect our hair growth in our youth. But then we’re hit with perimenopause and menopause. “Hormonal treatments, especially androgens such as testosterone or certain forms of progesterone, can trigger temporary hair loss,” Dr. Batra explains.
The unpredictable rollercoaster of hormones doesn’t help here. Murphy says, “Fluctuating or imbalanced hormone levels from starting or adjusting HRT can also disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing more hairs to shed prematurely.”
Birth control pills
Similar to HRT, “contraceptive pills can cause hair loss by altering hormone levels,” says Murphy. “These hormonal changes can stress hair follicles and accelerate the hair growth cycle, causing more hairs to shed early.”
Blood pressure meds
“Beta-blockers can cause hair loss by disrupting the hair growth cycle and pushing more follicles into the resting phase prematurely,” says Murphy. In this case, changing blood flow to hair follicles contributes to strands falling to the floor.
Then there’s another class of BP meds: ACE inhibitors. “By relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure, they may reduce blood supply to hair follicles, limiting oxygen and nutrients and contributing to shedding,” Murphy says.
Acne meds
“Some acne treatments, especially those high in Vitamin A derivatives, can lead to hair loss by disrupting the hair growth cycle or affecting hormones,” says Murphy. He points out that high doses of oral retinoids such as isotretinoin are also implicated. And some topical treatments, including retinol, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, can irritate the scalp and worsen hair loss.
Inflammation meds
Dr. Batra says, “Anti-inflammatory drugs such as methotrexate” are also part of the hair-loss conversation. This drug can slow rapidly dividing cells and is used in treatments for autoimmune conditions (like arthritis and psoriasis), cancer and ectopic pregnancy.
These health conditions should also be on your radar
It’s worth noting that some health conditions are linked to hair loss, even if their medications aren’t the cause. We’re talking about thyroid conditions, other autoimmune diseases (like alopecia, where the immune system attacks its own hair follicles) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). “In each case, treating the underlying condition usually helps hair growth recover,” Murphy says.
What to do if you’re suffering from medication-related hair loss
The good news: “This type of hair loss is usually reversible,” says Dr. Batra. “But it’s important for women to talk with their prescribing clinician before stopping any drug. A dermatologist can help determine whether a medication is contributing to hair thinning and guide safe, effective strategies to restore hair health.”
Sometimes, an adjustment period is all that’s needed for the problem to pass. “Once your body adjusts to the medication, hair typically regrows,” Murphy says. Other times, doctors may be able to change your dosage or switch you to an alternative medication to help.
How to manage or prevent drug-induced hair loss
Here’s what our experts recommend:
Get the right nutrients
Dr. Kaga says, “This reversal can be expedited with proper nutritional support.”
Murphy suggests, “A balanced diet rich in iron, protein, zinc and vitamin D is key, as these nutrients help keep your hair follicles healthy and encourage regrowth. If blood tests show a deficiency, supplements can help.”
Be gentle
“Avoid using too much heat, tight hairstyles or chemical treatments while your hair is recovering,” says Murphy. Reach for sulphate-free shampoos that are gentle on the hair and scalp.
Don’t over- or under-wash
“While overwashing can strip the scalp of natural oils, washing infrequently can have the opposite effect and lead to buildup that may block hair follicles, increase inflammation and contribute to excess shedding,” says Murphy. He advises washing every three days.
Relax
“Lifestyle factors like good sleep, hydration and managing stress all help your body bounce back faster,” says Murphy.
The bottom line on medication-related hair loss
It’s often reversible, but knowing about it ahead of time puts you in the best position to minimize this side effect.
“People underestimate how much hair affects self-confidence,” says Dr. Kaga. “When prescribing these medications, we [doctors] make sure that we discuss not only the possibility of hair loss, but ways to combat it with patients.”
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