4 Frequently Taken Medications that Result in Hair Loss

After going through your regular hair routine, you should not be surprised to discover strands of hair in the basin or bathtub. As stated by the American Academy of Dermatology Association, around 50 to 100 hairs normally fall out every day. 

However, if you notice that you are experiencing more hair loss than you would want to accept, it may be because of a drug you are on.

Even while excessive hair loss is a very uncommon adverse effect of some medications, it can happen if the regular hair development cycle on your scalp is disrupted. 

Continue reading to find out which generic meds may be the cause of hair loss.

1. Beta-Blockers Medications

The treatment of cardiovascular conditions like hypertension commonly involves the use of a class of drugs known as beta-blockers. But what do beta-blockers do in contrast? They result in certain adverse effects such as fatigue, drowsiness, and hair loss. 

According to a pharmacist and dietician, beta-blockers alter how your body reacts to stress hormones like adrenaline, causing your blood pressure and heartbeat to decrease. These alterations are believed to influence hair growth at the root and may hinder the formation of new hairs.

However, the positive part is that beta-blocker-induced hair loss is only transient and resolves once you stop using the medication. Ask your doctor about starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing it if you are worried about hair loss.

2. Medication for Seizures

Drugs used to treat seizures have been associated with vitamin deficiency-related hair loss. The most likely perpetrator is Depakote, which is prescribed for treating seizures as well as a number of mental disorders. 

The hair loss caused by some antiepileptic medications may be prevented or reduced by taking a regimen that is high in B vitamins, which are beneficial to hair.

Anti-seizure medications may be linked to a number of unfavorable cosmetic consequences, mainly hair loss, dermatitis, and pilosity, which is a disorder defined by excessive hairiness.

3. NSAIDs

The most frequently recommended pharmaceuticals for treating illnesses causing persistent pain are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Aspirin and ibuprofen, both of which are frequently used to relieve pain, are two NSAIDs that may be purchased without a prescription, but many others do. 

The downside is that every NSAID has a distinct set of negative impacts. Affected digestion and hypertension, as well as kidney problems, are common side effects. Hair loss is a less well-known adverse effect of NSAIDs. 

Both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are available to alleviate common aches and discomforts by lowering inflammation, but both can lead to excessive hair shedding. They may speed up the early transition of hair follicles into their resting state, preventing hair from growing normally.

4. Antidepressants

Antidepressants’ side effects are very significant. Although researchers are unsure of the exact mechanism causing some antidepressants to induce hair loss, they do know that some of them are more strongly affiliated with this adverse reaction than others. 

The antidepressant Bupropion appears to provide the greatest risk for hair loss, whilst the risk for paroxetine is the lowest. Therefore, switching your antidepressant may be the solution if you are seeking hair loss prevention. 

A research study published in International Clinical Psychopharmacology found that although antidepressant-induced hair loss is uncommon, it is a side effect connected to almost all of them.

At the end of the day, numerous causes might contribute to hair loss. Stop taking the medicine and watch to see if the symptoms go away to find out if your medication is the cause of your hair loss. But prior to discontinuing or changing your prescription regimen, always consult your doctor.