Medications That May Be Causing Your Hair Loss (And What to Do About It)
If you've been noticing more hair in your brush or shower drain lately, you might be wondering if something you're taking could be behind it. While stress, hormones, and health issues often take the blame, many medications can also trigger hair shedding or thinning — sometimes as a hidden side effect.
In this post, we’ll break down the most common types of medications linked to hair loss, explain why it happens, and give you steps to take if you think your prescriptions might be impacting your hair.
Why Medications Cause Hair Loss
Certain medications can interrupt the natural hair growth cycle, pushing hair prematurely into the "shedding" phase (telogen effluvium), or damaging the hair follicle directly (anagen effluvium). This type of hair loss is usually temporary, but it can still feel emotionally challenging — especially when it happens without warning.
Disclaimer: I’m not a physician. This post is for educational purposes only. Do not stop taking any medications without talking to your doctor first — especially if they are managing serious or life-saving conditions. This blog is here to support conversations with your healthcare provider, not replace them. Hair matters, but your health comes first.
Medications Commonly Linked to Hair Loss (By Category)
1. Acne & Dermatology Medications
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Acitretin
Etretinate
2. Antibiotics & Antifungals
Penicillin derivatives
Cephalosporins
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Griseofulvin
3. Antidepressants & Mood Stabilizers
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Imipramine, Clomipramine
Lithium
4. Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Heparin
Apixaban (Eliquis)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
5. Anticonvulsants
Valproic acid (Depakote)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Levetiracetam (Keppra)
6. Antihypertensives (Blood Pressure Medications)
Beta-blockers: Propranolol, Atenolol, Metoprolol
ACE inhibitors: Enalapril, Lisinopril
Diuretics: Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide
7. Cholesterol-Lowering Agents
Statins: Atorvastatin, Simvastatin
Fibrates: Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate
8. Chemotherapy Agents
Cyclophosphamide
Doxorubicin
Methotrexate
Paclitaxel, Docetaxel
Vincristine, Etoposide
9. Hormonal Therapies
Oral contraceptives
Hormone replacement therapy
Tamoxifen
Testosterone therapy
10. Immunosuppressants
Methotrexate
Azathioprine
Cyclosporine
Tacrolimus
11. Parkinson's Disease Medications
Levodopa
Carbidopa
12. Thyroid Medications
Levothyroxine
Methimazole
Propylthiouracil
13. Weight Loss Medications
Orlistat (Alli, Xenical)
Phentermine
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy)
14. Miscellaneous
Interferons (used for hepatitis)
Allopurinol (for gout)
NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, Naproxen
Amphetamines (for ADHD)
What to Do If You Suspect Medication-Related Hair Loss
Don't stop your medication abruptly. Always consult your doctor first.
Track your symptoms. Note when the hair loss started and any new medications or dosage changes.
Ask about alternatives. Your provider may be able to adjust your dose or switch you to a similar medication with fewer side effects.
Support your hair and scalp health. Treat the symptoms while you work on the root cause — consider scalp treatments, gentle haircare, and nourishing your body with key nutrients.
Book a hair recovery consultation. Professionals trained in hair loss support (like trichologists or hair health specialists) can help guide your recovery plan.
Hair loss is more common — and more reversible — than most people realize. If you're unsure what's causing your shedding, getting curious and gathering the right info is the first step.
Need support or want a customized recovery plan? Book a hair health consultation with me today →
