Drugs and Androgenetic Alopecia: What to Look Out For
September 2024
TLDR Certain drugs can worsen hair loss in people prone to androgenetic alopecia.
The document reviews the impact of various drugs on androgenetic alopecia (AGA), highlighting that drugs promoting androgenic activity, such as testosterone and anabolic steroids, or those inhibiting estrogenic activity, like aromatase inhibitors, can trigger or worsen AGA in genetically predisposed individuals. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these drug interactions for effective management of AGA, particularly in transgender men and patients undergoing hormone therapies for conditions like breast cancer. Management strategies include switching to less androgenic medications and using hair growth-promoting therapies like minoxidil, which is effective in up to 80% of endocrine therapy-induced alopecia patients. The document stresses the need for individualized treatment plans and comprehensive patient histories to differentiate between various forms of alopecia.