Drugs / Medications that may cause hair loss

Drugs that cause hair loss 

Here is the list of drugs that can possibly cause hair loss, also note this is not the complete comprehensive list, just the more common ones known. 

From The American Hair Loss Association:

The drugs are listed by category, according to the conditions they treat, then by brand name first followed by the drug’s generic name in parentheses. In some categories, individual drugs are not listed. For these conditions, you will want to discuss the possibility of hair loss as a side effect of using any of the drugs that treat that particular condition, since many do contribute to hair loss. 

Acne 

All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other conditions, including: 

 Accutane (isotretinoin) 

Blood 

Anticoagulants (blood thinners), including: 

Panwarfin (warfarin sodium) 

Sofarin (warfarin sodium) 

Coumadin (warfarin sodium) 

Heparin injections 

Cholesterol 

Cholesterol-lowering drugs, including: 

Atronid-S (clofibrate) 

Lopid (gemfibrozil) 

Convulsions/ Epilepsy Anticonvulsants, including: Tridone (trimethadione) 

Depression 

Antidepression drugs, including: 

 Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride) 

Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride) 

Paxil (paroxetine) 

Anafranil (clomipramine) 

Janimine (imipramine) 

Tofranil (imipramine) 

Tofranil PM (imipramine) 

Adapin (doxepin) 

Sinequan (doxepin) 

Surmontil (trimipramine) 

Pamelor (nortriptyline) 

Ventyl (nortriptyline) 

Elavin (amitriptyline) 

Endep (amitriptyline) 

Norpramin (desipramine) 

Pertofrane (desipramine) 

Vivactil (protriptyline hydrochloride) 

Asendin (amoxapine) 

Haldol ( haloperidol) 

Diet 

Amphetamines 

Fungus 

Antifungals 

Glaucoma 

The beta-blocker drugs, including: 

Timoptic Eye Drops (timolol) 

Timoptic Ocudose (timolol) 

Timoptic XC (timolol) 

Gout

Lopurin (allopurinol) 

Zyloprim (allopurinol) 

Heart 

Many drugs prescribed for the heart, including those known as the beta blockers, which are also used to treat high blood pressure, and include: 

Tenormin (atenolol) 

Lopressor (metoprolol) 

Corgard (nadolol) 

Inderal and Inderal LA (propanolol) 

Blocadren (timolol) 

High Blood Pressure 

See Above list of beta blockers under “Heart” 

Hormonal Conditions 

All hormone-containing drugs and drugs prescribed for hormone-related, reproductive, male-specific, and female-specific conditions and situations have the potential to cause hair loss, including: 

Birth Control Pills 

Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) for women (estrogen or progesterone) 

Male androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone 

Anabolic steriods 

Prednisone and other steroids 

Inflammation 

Many anti-inflammatory drugs, including those prescribed for localized pain, swelling and injury. 

Arthritis drugs 

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs including: 

Naprosyn (naproxen) 

Anaprox (naproxen) 

Anaprox DS (naproxen) 

Indocin (indomethacin) 

Indocin SR (indomethacin) 

Clinoril (sulindac) 

An anti-inflammatory that is also used as a chemotherapy drug:

Methotrexate (MTX)

Rheumatex (methotrexate)

Folex (methotrexate)

Parkinson’s Disease 

Levadopa / L-dopa (dopar, larodopa) 

Thyroid Disorders 

Many of the drugs used to treat the thyroid 

Ulcer 

Many of the drugs used to treat indigestion, stomach difficulties, and ulcers, including over-the-counter dosages and prescription dosages. 

Tagamet (cimetidine) 

Zantac (ranitidine) 

Pepcid (famotidine) 

***I like to let everyone know that I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice, what I write is only my opinion based on my own experience and research on the subject.