Drug-Induced Alopecia
May 1999
in “
PubMed
”
drug-induced alopecia hair follicles anagen phase catagen phase telogen phase cytostatics anticoagulants interferons tretinoid derivatives lithium carbonate antimalarials beta-receptor blocking agents sex hormones ACE inhibitors angiotensin II antagonists hair loss hair growth cycle blood thinners retinoids beta-blockers hormones angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Studysummary This article reviews various drugs reported to cause alopecia, including cytostatics and anticoagulants, but does not present new research results; it suggests that drug-related hair loss can be difficult to prove.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document from 1999 discussed drug-induced alopecia, a condition where hair loss is caused by certain medications. Hair follicles go through cycles of growth (anagen phase), transition (catagen phase), and rest (telogen phase), and losing more than 120 hairs daily is classified as alopecia. Drugs can cause a diffuse, reversible alopecia by influencing these cycles. However, establishing a causal relationship between a suspected drug and hair loss can be challenging due to the many potential causes of hair loss. The main categories of drugs that may cause alopecia, as listed in the literature, include cytostatics, anticoagulants, interferons, tretinoid derivatives, and lithium carbonate. The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Foundation LAREB reported alopecia as a side effect of antimalarials, beta-receptor blocking agents, sex hormones, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonists, and anticoagulants.
