Which Medications Cause Hair Loss?

Medicines are essential in treating diseases, enhancing health, and even saving lives. 

While medicines can be very effective, some can have undesirable side effects such as hair loss. Although not every drug causes this effect, some prescription medications may interfere with the normal hair growth process, resulting in hair thinning, breakage, or even temporary baldness.

For someone already living with a health condition, unexpected hair loss can be an additional burden, affecting confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Some may be hesitant to take necessary medications due to the stress associated with hair loss; however, fortunately, in most cases, this hair loss is temporary. 

In this article, we will explore some common medications that lead to hair loss, how they impact hair follicles, and what you can do to preserve your hair and continue with the necessary treatment. 

What Causes Medicine-Induced Hair Loss?

Drug-Induced Telogen Effluvium vs. Anagen Effluvium

Medicine-induced hair loss comes in one of two forms. 

Telogen Effluvium

The most common form is telogen effluvium, a condition in which hair follicles are prematurely pushed into the resting stage, triggering excessive shedding. This type of short-lived hair loss can be observed within 2-3 months of using the medication, and tends to reverse after the drug is discontinued.

Anagen Effluvium

Anagen effluvium is a rare but more severe form of medicine-induced hair loss that develops when a drug actively damages growing hair follicles. This may cause immediate, diffuse hair shedding after a few weeks, or even days, of starting treatment.

This condition is usually connected to chemotherapy and other potent drugs aimed at treating cancer. The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that the majority of instances resolve themselves after the medication is stopped or a dose adjustment occurs.

Both telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium can be distressing conditions, but they are usually temporary, and hair can typically grow back with proper treatment.

For more information, get in contact with your local medical professional, or learn more about what treatments are available in our comprehensive guide to hair loss treatments.

Common Medications Causing Hair Loss: Anticoagulants, Retinoids, Antidepressants

Certain varieties of medication are more frequently associated with hair loss than others.

Anticoagulants

Like heparin and warfarin can disrupt the nutrient supply to hair follicles, resulting in hair shedding a few weeks after starting treatment. 

Retinoids (such as isotretinoin in acne therapy)

This may cause diffuse thinning throughout the scalp due to disturbances in vitamin A metabolism and abnormal follicle cycles. Isotretinoin may cause diffuse thinning when there are incredibly high amounts of vitamin A in the body. This affects the growth cycle, resulting in a net effect where more hairs enter the resting phase. By the time the medication has been either halted or altered, normal hair growth tends to resume.

Mood stabilisers and antidepressants

Especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and lithium can also cause hair loss because they influence hormonal balance and stress pathways.

Antihypertensives

These are medications that help to reduce your blood pressure. While rare, a small percentage of patients who take these medications do experience hair loss. Examples of blood pressure medications include propranolol (also used for palpitations and anxiety), losartan, amlodipine and furosemide. 

Hormone Replacement Therapy

These medications affect hormone balance, resulting in increased levels of DHT as seen in patietns who have Testosterone Replacement Therapy. This causes a higher risk of male and female pattern baldness.

Chemotherapy agents

Chemotherapy is known to cause stress on hair follicles. This is because chemotherapy agents target rapidly dividing cells seen in cancer. As hair follicles are among the fastest growing in the body, they’re often unfortunately affected as well. However, once chemotherapy is completed, your should recover your hair growth.

Thyroid Medications

Medications administered to treat thyroid diseases may also affect the hair. The shedding can also be a result of excessive replacement of the thyroid or over-treatment.

It is essential to consult with your healthcare professional before stopping/adjusting any medications on your own. To learn more about health conditions that can cause thinning, see Illnesses That Cause Hair Loss.

Which Medical Conditions Also Contribute to Hair Loss?

Not all hair loss is caused by medication. In many situations, the hair growth cycle is disrupted by underlying health issues that are silently affecting the hair. Depending on their nature, these conditions may damage the scalp directly by attacking the follicles or inducing internal imbalances that ultimately harm hair. The first step towards successful treatment and regrowth is to establish the cause.

Autoimmune Disorders (alopecia areata)

Autoimmune disorders occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. In alopecia areata, the immune system targets the hair follicles, causing them to become damaged and resulting in hair loss. This condition presents with abrupt, circular bald spots on the scalp, eyebrows or beard region. 

In extreme cases, it may lead to alopecia totalis (complete loss of scalp hair) or alopecia universalis (complete loss of hair on the entire body).

Unlike genetic hair loss, alopecia areata can occur at any age and is unpredictable; it may disappear on its own or return over time. 

Treatment options include corticosteroid injections, topical immunotherapy, and recent medications that suppress the immune response. Autoimmune-related shedding can sometimes coincide with other forms of hair thinning; therefore, a proper diagnosis may be necessary to ensure that the correct treatment is administered.

Thyroid Dysfunction & Hormonal Imbalances

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, energy levels, and numerous bodily processes. If it is either underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), it can impact your hair growth.

This tends to make the hair dry, brittle, and more easily prone to falling out, not only on the top of the head but also on the brows or around the body.

Other hormonal imbalances, such as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or menopause, can cause hair loss. PCOS tends to raise androgen levels (male hormones) that can shrink hair follicles in women.

You can learn more about Female Pattern Hair Loss here. Balancing the equilibrium of these hormones, through the use of thyroid medications, changes in lifestyle, or hormone therapy, can lead to healthier hair in the long run. 

Nutritional Deficiencies & Chronic Illnesses

Hair consists of keratin, which is a protein that needs a continuous supply of nutrients such as iron, zinc, biotin, and amino acids. If the body lacks these essentials, it will prioritise vital organs over hair growth, resulting in diffuse shedding.

Amongst all the causes which tend to trigger hair loss in women, iron deficiency appears to be a common cause. A lack of sufficient iron results in a poor oxygen supply to hair follicles, making strands weak and hindering their regrowth. Read Can Low Iron Cause Hair Loss? to discover more about this topic.

Other chronic conditions like diabetes, liver disease and kidney problems are also known to cause stress on the body and interrupt the hair growth cycle. It is essential to manage the underlying medical condition, as hair health cannot be resolved without addressing overall health.

How Can You Manage Medication‑Induced Hair Loss?

Speaking with a healthcare professional

Discussing your hair loss with the healthcare professional is the first step toward managing medication-related hair thinning. It is important to note that you should never stop taking a prescribed drug without discussing it with your doctor. They will be able to modify your dosage, adjust its timing, or use an alternative medicine in the same category with less impact on your hair growth.

For example, certain antihypertensives or antidepressants are more likely to cause shedding than others. Your doctor can weigh the risks and benefits to determine a more ideal situation for your health and hair. See our tips on Hair Loss Prevention to discover what might be best for you.

Adjunct Therapies: Minoxidil, PRP, Supplements

In cases where stopping or altering the medication is not possible, supportive therapies can be used to stimulate hair regrowth. 

One of the most frequently prescribed solutions for drug-induced hair loss is topical minoxidil, as it extends the hair-growing period (the anagen phase) of follicles. Density may also be improved with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which involves using your growth factors to nourish the scalp. Oral supplements containing vitamins, minerals and amino acids can also give your hair the materials it requires to rebuild itself.

You may find our in-depth guide on supplements helpful:

• Hair Loss Supplements for Women: What is Recommended?
• Hair Loss Supplements for Men: What is Recommended?

If you are thinking about having a hair transplant, or if you have already done so, you might be wondering whether further treatment is required. Learn more about the importance of continuing minoxidil use even after a hair transplant to understand how it can benefit both transplanted and native hair.

Lifestyle: Diet, Stress Management & Scalp Health

Healthy hair begins from within, meaning that managing lifestyle choices can lead to a noticeable change. A diet rich in essential nutrients and sufficient amounts of protein, iron, zinc, and biotin can help strengthen and regrow follicles.

It is also necessary to manage stress with the help of relaxation techniques, exercise, or therapy, as prolonged stress can significantly contribute to the severity of shedding caused by medications.

The condition of the scalp is also very relevant; it is better to wash your hair and scalp with gentle shampoos, avoid aggressive chemicals, and massage the skin to enhance circulation and create more favourable conditions for hair development.

Although these measures are not in themselves sufficient to counter shedding initiated by a drug, they are complementary to medical treatment, allowing for a more robust and healthier regrowth in the long term.

Conclusion

The loss of hair caused by medications or a condition may be frustrating, but it is usually temporary and treatable. Identifying the underlying cause of the thinning, whether it is related to blood pressure medication, antidepressants, thyroid issues, or nutritional deficiencies, is crucial to resolving the problem.

With proper medical advice, certain lifestyle modifications, and a comprehensive guide that provides accurate information about available hair loss solutions, you can preserve your health and achieve thicker, healthier hair.

Your well-being is the priority; you may be able to regain your locks with proper and routine care.

Medication and Hair Loss FAQs

1. Does any medication always lead to shedding?
   
   No. Even an ordinary drug known to cause hair loss does not affect everyone. Whether you experience thinning or not is primarily determined by genetics, dosage, and individual sensitivity.
   
   
2. Can changing medication reverse hair loss?
   
   In some cases, yes. Shedding can be reduced by changing the drug or by lowering the dose. Hair usually grows back after a few months into the change, although this should be done with the supervision of a doctor.
   
   
3. How long after starting a drug does hair fall out?
   
   The majority of drug-induced hair loss can become evident within 2 – 3 months of treatment. But shedding can occur within weeks due to chemotherapy and other potent drugs.
   
   
4. Are the effects permanent or temporary?
   
   The majority of the hair loss that happens when taking drugs is reversible when the drug is discontinued or substituted. Irreversible damage rarely occurs and is typically associated with long-term follicle miniaturisation or underlying issues.
   
   
5. What over-the-counter options help?
   
   The most popular over-the-counter medication to aid regrowth is topical minoxidil. Healthy hair can also be preserved with gentle treatments on the scalp, a balanced diet, and gentle shampoos.
   
   
6. Can supplements offset medication side effects?
   
   Supplements such as iron, zinc, biotin, or marine collagen can be beneficial in cases of diagnosed deficiency; however, they will not completely mitigate the impact of medications. Never add supplements to your routine without consultation with your doctor.
   
   
7. When should I seek medical advice?
   
   Report to your doctor immediately if the loss of hair is sudden, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms. They will be able to find out the type of your cause (medication, underlying condition, or a combination of one or the other). They can help identify the root cause of your hair loss.

Get In Touch

Take the step toward a fuller hairline: schedule your consultation with us. We are a leading hair transplant clinic in the UK, with our central operation in London.

Our award-winning team, including leading London hair transplant surgeons Dr Fernando and Dr Vara, are here to support you every step of the way.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 2024, Guidelines on drug-induced hair loss, American Academy of Dermatology Association. Available at: https://www.aad.org [Accessed 17 July 2025].
• Healthline 2024, Clinician-reviewed articles on medication-related hair loss, Healthline Media. Available at: https://www.healthline.com [Accessed 17 July 2025].
• International Journal of Trichology 2023, Case series on drug-related alopecia and hair follicle cycling disruption, Medknow Publications. Available at: https://www.ijtrichology.com [Accessed 17 July 2025].
• Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (JAAD) 2023, Studies on telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium caused by medications, Elsevier. Available at: https://www.jaad.org [Accessed 17 July 2025].
• PubMed 2024, Systematic reviews on medication side effects and hair loss mechanisms, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed 17 July 2025].
• British Thyroid Foundation 2024, Thyroid disease and its impact on hair health, British Thyroid Foundation. Available at: https://www.btf-thyroid.org [Accessed 17 July 2025].
• Olsen, EA & Messenger, AG 2023, Alopecia areata: Clinical features, diagnosis, and management, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 345–356.
• Rushton, DH & Sinclair, RD 2022, Nutritional factors and hair loss in women, Dermato-Endocrinology, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. e2075401.
• Tosti, A. & Piraccini, B.M. 2023, Endocrine disorders and hair loss: Thyroid and androgen imbalance, Clinical Dermatology Journal, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 256–262.