While hair loss is a natural part of aging, certain common medications may be secretly accelerating the process. Dr. Zain Hasan, a Los Angeles physician, warns that several widely used drugs can trigger hair thinning or cause follicles to stop growing.
Wellbutrin, a common antidepressant, has been linked to hair loss more frequently than similar medications. Additionally, high doses of acne treatments like Accutane or powerful retinol creams can cause premature shedding. Fortunately, hair usually grows back once these treatments are adjusted or stopped.
Medications used to prevent blood clots, such as Warfarin and Eliquis, can push hair follicles into a “resting phase.” This typically results in noticeable thinning a few months after starting the drug. Beta-blockers used for high blood pressure, like Lopressor, can have a similar—though rarer—effect on the hair cycle.
Tamoxifen, used to treat breast cancer, is a frequent cause of thinning because it lowers estrogen levels. Unlike some other medications where hair loss is rare, roughly one in three patients on this treatment may notice a change in their hair density.
If you notice sudden thinning, it is important not to stop your prescription immediately. Most medication-related hair loss is reversible. Consult your doctor to see if a dosage change or a different brand could help protect your hair while still managing your health.