Drug-Induced Diffuse Hair Loss in Females: An Observational Study

January 2014 in “ Astrocyte ”

Taru Garg, Pravesh Yadav, Soumya Agarwal, Vibhu Mendiratta

TLDR Some drugs may cause hair loss in women.

In an observational study from 2014, 255 females with diffuse hair loss (DHL) were evaluated for a history of drug intake that could interfere with the hair cycle. Out of these, 67 patients (26.2%) reported a history of drug intake, and a detailed history was obtained from 57 patients (22.3%) who experienced DHL onset or worsening after starting medication. The average duration of DHL was 9.8 months, and the mean duration of drug intake was 49.1 months. The study identified 100 suspected drugs, with antihypertensives (23%) being the most common, followed by hormones (12%), NSAIDs (11%), antidiabetics (8%), oral contraceptives (6%), antitubercular drugs (5%), tricyclic antidepressants (4%), and vitamin supplements (4%). Thyroxine was the most implicated individual drug (10%), followed by amlodipine (5%), and several others at 3%. The study concluded that drugs are a potential cause of DHL in females and emphasized the importance of taking a detailed drug intake history in affected patients.

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Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Isoniazid-Induced Alopecia

13 citations, January 2011 in “Lung India”

Stopping isoniazid can reverse hair loss caused by the drug.

research Drug Reactions Affecting Hair: Diagnosis

85 citations, April 2007 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Some drugs can cause hair loss, change hair color and shape, or increase hair growth, and treatment may involve stopping the drug or using specific hair growth treatments.

research Acute Alopecia Due to Metformin Treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

5 citations, January 2006 in “Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology”

Metformin can cause hair loss in some women with PCOS.

research Alopecia as a Side Effect of Antituberculosis Drugs

9 citations, February 1996 in “Lancet”

Some tuberculosis drugs may cause hair loss, but hair might regrow after treatment or changing the drugs.

research Drug-Induced Hair Loss and Hair Growth

147 citations, April 1994 in “Drug Safety”

Some drugs can cause hair loss or increase hair growth, but these effects are usually reversible when the drug is stopped.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Comprehensive Review

214 citations, March 1993 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Telogen effluvium is a reversible hair loss condition that requires a detailed diagnosis and often resolves on its own.

research Psychotropic Medication and Drug-Related Alopecia

30 citations, May 1991 in “Psychosomatics”

Some psychiatric medications can cause reversible hair loss.

research Metoprolol and Alopecia

5 citations, December 1981 in “PubMed”

Metoprolol, a blood pressure medication, was linked to reversible hair loss.

research Propranolol-Induced Alopecia

33 citations, August 1973 in “American Heart Journal”

Propranolol can cause reversible hair loss.

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