By Dr. Linda Amerson

Prescription drugs have gained a wider acceptance among many consumers over the past decades. Have we become an increasingly drug-infected society? There are currently over 300 prescription medications which have a side effect of Alopecia (hair loss) and/or intensifies a scalp condition. Your doctor may not mention Alopecia as a side effect, so do your own research and read the drug manufacturer’s complete warnings. Your pharmacist can provide you with this information even before you fill a prescription. Other resources include medication reference books and searching online. If your research reveals that your medication has a side effect of Alopecia, ask if they could substitute one that does not have a hair loss side effect.

During a consultation, I consider internal factors as well as external factors to assist with my evaluation. It surprises me in my Trichology Clinic to hear a consumer state that they take the medication because their medical doctor prescribed it and do not have the slightest regard of the possible harmful side effects. Sometimes a consumer will begin to observe other signs and symptoms including: Telogen Effluvium (excessive hair shedding with the hair bulb), Anagen Effluvium (excessive hair shedding of hair in the growing stage); Alopecia (hair thinning or hair breakage); scalp tenderness, burning and tingling sensations, severe itching, change in hair texture, dryness, dullness and crawling sensations, just to name a few. Simply put, your hair and scalp is a barometer of internal and/or external warnings of a temporary health problem, Alopecia, disease or a disorder. Most importantly, in the case of a life-threatening illness or reduction in the quality of life, the requirement to take drugs is inevitable, even though they may lead to Alopecia and scalp problems.

Each year there are hundreds of new prescription medications released by the FDA. Below is a listing of some medications which contribute to Alopecia.

• All drugs derived from vitamin A as treatments for acne or other condition

• Anti-coagulants (blood thinners)

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs

• Anti-convulsants, including epilepsy medications

• Anti-depression drugs

• Anti-Fungal medications

• Some beta-blocker drugs, and Anti-gout

• Some high blood pressure drugs

• Anti-Inflammatory drugs

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

• Birth Control Pills and the Patch

• Male androgenetic hormones and all forms of testosterone

• Anabolic steroids

• Prednisone and other steroids