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The Connection Between Certain Medications and Hair Loss

Did you know that certain medications that you may be taking for other diseases or conditions might be contributing to your hair loss? It is true that there are many medications that are used to treat other conditions that can actually be the cause of hair loss. Some of these medications are commonly prescribed medications.

At the time that you were prescribed these medications your doctor may not have thought to mention that hair loss could be a possible side effect. Now, that you are aware of this fact, you can be more careful whenever you are prescribed medications for diseases and conditions. To help you know some of the more common drugs that are known to possibly contribute to hair loss, you can find a list below of some of the conditions, or diseases and some of the drugs that you should be aware of that may cause hair loss.

If you have acne and are given medication to take, be aware that accutane may contribute to hair loss.

If you are ever prescribed blood thinner be aware that panwarfin, sofarin, coumadin and many heparin injectionables can cause hair loss.

Drugs used for those who suffer from convulsions or epilepsy such as anticonvulsants can cause hair loss.

Individuals suffering from depression are often prescribed medications that can cause hair loss including prozac, zoloft, paxil, nafranil, adapin, ventyl, norpramin, vivactil and others.

Diet drugs such as amphetamines can cause hair loss.

Beta-blocker drugs used to treat glaucoma such as timoptic eye drops, timoptic ocudose, and timoptic XC can cause hair loss.

Many drugs that doctors prescribe to heart patients can also contribute to hair loss including tenormin, lopressor, inderal and inderal LA and others.

There are several drugs used to treat hormonal conditions that may also be the cause of hair loss including taking birth control pills, or hormone-replacement therapy (HRT), and prednisone and other steroids as well as other drugs used to treat hormonal conditions.

Drugs that are used to treat pain, and swelling from injuries such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as arthritis drugs can cause hair loss.

Certain anti-inflammatory drugs that are also used in chemotherapy can also lead to hair loss including folex, methotrexate (MTX), and rheumatex.

Drugs used to treat thyroid disorders, ulcers, and parkinson's disease may also contribute to hair loss.

Be sure to ask about adverse side effects when ever your doctor prescribes medication because when the doctor is aware that a certain possible side-effect may have terrible results for you such as when you suspect that you may have a good chance of getting hair loss at some point in your life; you want to use knowledge to make good decisions.