We’ve talked about the fact that various medications can cause hair loss.  Many prescription drugs can have dramatic effects regarding hair loss, particularly if nothing is done to counteract this side effect.  And sadly, in many cases, people are not told of this side effect on the front end.

Can we be specific with regard to which medications can cause hair loss?  Yes -  we can.  Here is a list of what the drugs would be taken for as well as the name of the drug.

• Acne - Accutane
• Blood - Anticoagulants - Panwarfin, Sofarin, Coumadin, Heparin
• Cholesterol Lowering - Atronids, Lopid
• Convulsion/Epilepsy - Anticonvulsants - Tridore
• Antidepressants - Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, anafranil, Janimine, Tofranil, adapin, sinequan, Surmontil, Pamelor, Ventyl, Elavin, Endep, Norpramin, Pertofane, Vivactil, Asendin, Haldol
• Diet - Amphetamines
• Fungus - Antifungals
• Glaucoma - Timoptic eye drops, Ocudose, XC
• Gout - Allopurinol
• Heart Beta blockers - Tenormin, Lopresser, Corgard, Inderal
• Hormonal Conditions - Birth control pills, Progesterone, Estrogen, Male Androgenic hormones and all forms of testosterone, anabolic steriods, Prednisone and other steroids.
• Inflammation - Arthritis drugs, NSAIDS such as Naprosyn, Anaprox, Indocin, Clinoril
• Anti-inflammatory drugs such as  - Methotrexatem, Rheumatrex, Folex
• Parkinson’s Disease - Levadopa
• Thyroid disorders - Most all of the drugs prescribed for this
• Ulcers - Both prescription and OTC, Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid

I would suspect, if you take the time to google it, you may find many more culprits that I have not mentioned.  If you are taking any of these medications and are noticing that your hair is beginning to thin, now you know why.  Perhaps you could consider alternatives to the medications or talk to your doctor about an alternative medication which would not cause hair loss.

Knowledge is power, at least now you know what is contributing to the problem.