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What Medicine Causes Hair Loss?

People often think of medical hair loss as being a side effect of chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. However, many prescription and over-the-counter medications cause hair loss when used for an extended period of time. Medications you are taking for long-term medical conditions, such as ADHD, diabetes and heart disease, and short-term medical conditions, such as seasonal allergies, may cause hair loss.

  1. ADHD Medication

    • Medications used for ADHD, such as Adderal and clonidine, cause hair to visibly thin when they are used over a period of years. The medications used to treat ADHD often interfere with blood circulation to the brain, which progressively leads from brittle hair to hair loss.

    Diabetes Medications

    • Medications used to control blood glucose in diabetics can cause hair to become brittle. Over time, the brittle hair caused by blood glucose medications will eventually fall from the head. The hair falling from the scalp will first lead to patchy baldness followed eventually by total baldness in men and women.

    Allergy Medications

    • Allergy medications are usually taken on an as-needed basis in the spring and fall. Although these medications are usually used short term, some shedding of the hair is to be expected. Because allergy medications are usually used short term, the hair loss is usually a minor concern.

    Anti-Depressants

    • People who are on anti-depressants, such as Zoloft and Prozac, often experience baldness. Much like the medication used to treat ADHD, medication used to treat depression compromises blood flow to the scalp and brain, which causes hair loss.

    Menopause Treatments in Women

    • Menopause treatments, such as hormone replacement, cause hair loss because the levels of hormones in menopausal women are in a constant state of flux. During and after menopause, the hormones can also cause hair to develop in places where women usually wouldn't see hair such as on the face. To combat hair loss and hair growth problems during and after menopause, women should consult their doctor about vitamins that promote healthy hair growth.

    Heart and Cholesterol Medications

    • Because heart and cholesterol drugs work to improve blood flow in the heart and the veins, the circulation of blood to and from the scalp is often compromised, which leads to thinning hair and baldness. Your doctor may recommend boosting the amounts of certain vitamins in your diet.

    Coping With Medically Induced Hair Loss

    • When you take certain medications, levels of nutrients and vitamins from the foods you eat are sometimes poorly absorbed and used by the body. When beginning treatment using medications for ADHD, diabetes, allergies and other conditions discussed here, it may be wise to discuss the potential for hair loss with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend certain vitamin and mineral supplements you can take to prevent hair loss while using these medications.

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