Medication induced hair loss can be overlooked as the reason for hair loss - know your medications potential effects

Medication induced hair loss can be tricky to diagnose. Sometimes the obvious ones such as drugs used to fight cancer or an autoimmune disease can cause it but keep in mind that many drugs and for that matter chemicals present in our daily lives can be detrimental to hair.

Some possible drugs to consider include Heparin, Oral Anticoagulants, Amphetamines, Lithium, Accutane, Male hormones, Protease inhibitors, Oral contraceptives, (when stopping its use) Inderal, Depakene, Gout medication, Hypertension medications,

In general cessation of use of the above drugs will resolve the hair loss problem in 6 to 12 months assuming there is no other underlying condition that could prevent a full recovery of hair

Another problem that although not drug related but can cause hair loss due to chemicals is the overuse of such things as hair dyes, hair straightners, hair curling agents, Over a period of time the use of this type of chemical styling and pulling of hair can cause scarring and permanent damage to the scalp.

In the case of hypertension and gout medication it may be possible, with your doctors OK, to reduce the hair loss effects with a lower dose or if possible to stop its use altogether.

I would also suggest you check out a doctor's insight on this subject with a more medical slant who helps people with this problem daily and will give you even more practical suggestions and ideas on what your options are which may go beyond the scope of this site.

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