TLDR Some drugs used to treat immune conditions may cause different types of hair loss.
A decade ago, Lindsey and Tosti conducted a study that found Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, drugs used to treat immune-mediated conditions, could cause various types of hair loss. They identified 62 cases of hair loss during therapy with TNF-α inhibitors from January 1998 to August 2013. The types of hair loss included alopecia areata, psoriatic alopecia, lichen planopilaris, drug-induced lupus erythematosus, androgenetic alopecia, and telogen effluvium. Alopecia was also mentioned as a side effect in three clinical trials and in FDA postmarketing surveillance. The researchers concluded that TNF-α inhibitors could cause severe alopecia areata and scarring alopecia, but noted a lack of controlled trials studying this condition. They recommended switching medication in patients with alopecia areata or psoriatic alopecia occurring during anti TNF-α therapy and suggested the application of topical steroids under occlusion.
49 citations,
January 2012 in “Dermatology” Severe anti-TNF-α induced scalp eruptions often need stopping the drug and using systemic therapy to avoid scarring.
16 citations,
January 2012 in “International Journal of Rheumatology” Anti-TNF therapy can cause weight gain and hair loss, leading some patients to stop treatment.
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.
61 citations,
June 2010 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Anti-TNF-α therapy may increase the risk of developing alopecia areata, especially in those with a history of autoimmune disease.
38 citations,
January 2009 in “Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” A woman developed hair loss after starting a treatment with adalimumab, suggesting this medication might cause hair loss.
39 citations,
March 2008 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Etanercept may cause lichen planopilaris, so doctors should be cautious.
69 citations,
December 2006 in “Archives of dermatology” Adalimumab may cause severe hair loss in some patients.
75 citations,
June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology” Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.
2 citations,
March 2015 in “Expert opinion on orphan drugs” New treatments for hair loss show promise but need more research to confirm safety and effectiveness.
A girl with Crohn's disease developed hair loss due to her increased medication, a rare side effect seen in some children.
15 citations,
March 2021 in “Journal of clinical medicine” Biologic treatments for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause skin problems, and doctors should adjust treatment if these occur.
2 citations,
March 2023 in “Frontiers in medicine” A 15-year-old boy's severe scalp condition improved significantly with adalimumab and baricitinib treatment.
37 citations,
October 2014 in “JAMA dermatology” A woman with severe hair loss was successfully treated with the drug adalimumab.
