TLDR Certain medications, including some immune drugs, contraceptives, and hair loss treatments, are often linked to hair loss.
The study analyzed 39,346 reports from the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System to identify drugs associated with hair loss. It found that immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies, minoxidil, finasteride, contraceptives, and anti-TNF biologics were frequently linked to alopecia. Notably, 9.8% of patients using topical minoxidil and 15.7% of women with levonorgestrel IUDs reported hair loss. The study highlights the importance of healthcare providers being aware of these potential side effects to better inform and manage patient care, despite limitations such as lack of control for comorbidities and potential misattribution of hair loss to medications.
April 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy” Most patients stop using topical minoxidil due to side effects.
42 citations,
March 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Anti-TNF therapy can cause hair loss and skin issues.
15 citations,
January 2015 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” Parathyroid hormones are important for hair growth, but their use in treating hair loss from chemotherapy is still uncertain.
9 citations,
July 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology” PTHRP agonists can stimulate hair growth, especially in damaged follicles, while antagonists may initially increase growth but ultimately inhibit it.
72 citations,
February 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” Anti-TNF therapy can cause a unique type of hair loss that may get better with topical treatments without stopping the therapy.
26 citations,
December 2006 in “Endocrinology” A cream with a specific hormone blocker increases hair growth in mice.
February 2024 in “PloS one” Tofacitinib and adalimumab are promising treatments for cicatricial alopecia with few side effects.
11 citations,
August 1997 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents” Many potential alopecia treatments need more testing to confirm they promote acceptable hair growth with minimal side effects.
16 citations,
January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology” New treatments and early diagnosis methods for permanent hair loss due to scar tissue are important for managing its psychological effects.
10 citations,
April 2016 in “Research and reports in transdermal drug delivery” Transfollicular drug delivery is promising but needs more research to improve and understand it better.
34 citations,
September 2020 in “BMC Endocrine Disorders” Existing drug dexamethasone may lower death risk in severe COVID-19 cases; more research needed for other drugs.
