Thinning hair is a source of distress to many people. You can lose your hair due to heredity, hormone imbalances or disease. Sometimes, though, hair loss is caused by the medications that you take to improve your health. In fact, hair loss is a side effect of a number of regularly prescribed drugs. If you are experiencing hair loss, research the medications that you are taking.
Medications Causing Hair Loss
Common medications that cause hair loss include the following:
Blood Pressure Medications
Maintaining a normal blood pressure is essential to your health. Often, ACE inhibitors are prescribed to reduce a patient’s BP. Of these drugs, captopril and lisinopril sometimes cause hair loss in patients. The percentage of sufferers is low, but taking these medications could be causing your thinning locks.
Cancer Treatments
Certain types of chemotherapy are infamous for causing hair loss, although most patients find that their hair regrows after the treatment stops. Sadly, breast cancer patients often experience continued hair thinning due to hormone-reducing medications they are prescribed after their chemo. Drugs such as tamoxifen and anastrozole reduce the risk of recurrence but frequently cause thinning hair.
Cholesterol Medications
Many people suffer from high cholesterol levels. While certain prescription medications are highly effective in lowering these levels, they can also cause thinning hair. Atorvastatin and simvastatin are commonly prescribed to reduce cholesterol. Unfortunately, they may also reduce the amount of hair you have.
Antacid
You probably don’t realize that a popular over-the-counter antacid can be responsible for your hair loss. Cimetidine, (Tagamet) battles your acid reflux but occasionally causes hair loss as well.
Other medications with this side effect include treatments for gout, convulsions, psoriasis and arrhythmia. If you are experiencing thinning hair, your medicine cabinet should be the first place you look for answers.
Hair Loss Solutions
If you suspect that medication is causing your thinning hair, schedule an appointment with your doctor. In some cases, they will be able to prescribe an alternative medication that will not affect your hair growth. In other instances, such as cancer treatment, you will probably have to suffer this unpleasant side effect. Fortunately, hair replacement options are more sophisticated and natural looking than ever before.
With the help of skilled professionals, you will be able to find human hair wigs that disguise your hair issues while enhancing your appearance. Often times extensions will give you back the fullness that you’ve lost. You never have to accept a thin head of hair. There are solutions for everyone who is experiencing hair loss.
To schedule a free consultation call Genesis II at (315) 458-1074 or to contact us via email click here.
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