Over the counter drugs that can cause hair loss

**Yayasmurf** · September 7th, 2009, 11:36 AM

I broke both my legs in March 2009 and was taking a lot of Ibuprofen for inflamation. I realized I was having more hair loss than normal. I went online hoping to find an answer and this is what I found. Some of you may already know this... but it may be helpful to a few

Common over the counter drugs that can cause hair loss in some cases are Ibuprofen and naproxen. You might get rid of your fever with ibuprofen, but you'll get a big headache if you see your hair falling out. Risk of hair loss with these over the counter medications is very low, but it does happen. Also, taking to much vitamin A over a period of time is known to cause hair loss or thinning.

Certain prescription drugs for arthritis, gout, blood thinners, high blood pressure, ulcers, Parkinson disease, cholesterol lowering and chemotherapy are associated with hair loss issues. Again, ask your doctor if there is another medication that you can take if you are experiencing hair loss.

**redwoman** · September 7th, 2009, 11:55 AM

I am throwing out my ibuprofen and buying aspirin. Thanks for the tip. Who'd have guessed?

**aada** · September 7th, 2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by redwoman

I am throwing out my ibuprofen and buying aspirin. Thanks for the tip. Who'd have guessed?

aspirin has its own risks! all medications have risks of some sort. depending on how often you take it, aspirin might actually be WORSE for you! easiest way to figure out what to take: ask your doctor.

**Toadstool** · September 7th, 2009, 02:20 PM

I am sadly taking 17-24 tablets a day while waiting for spine surgery for a slipped disc. No hair loss yet but I will certainly keep an eye out.

**Esperanza** · September 8th, 2009, 09:43 AM

You mentioned prescription drugs for arthritis: I had tailbone length when I had to start methotrexate and I lost all my hair. Before taking any meds, one should carefully evaluate benefits versus potential problems. Sometimes we really need the med, and there is no alternative, but sometimes we can avoid the side effects by finding another drug.

**feralnature** · September 8th, 2009, 10:02 AM

I take many meds and I have very, very little shed. It amazes me somethings when I look at my comb or shower drain. I just barely shed. Less than 100 hairs a day that I am aware of.

I take:

Seroquel
Topamax
Lamictal
Trileptal
Listoril

Also:

Biotin for my hair
Glucosamine MSM for my joints
Multivitamin for those folks over 50 years of age
Baby Aspirin for a blood thinner per my cardiac docs instruction

I rarely rarely take ibuprophen and NEVER take tylenol. I take no cough medicine or anything for cold/cough symptoms or anything like that. I have enough junk in my system without adding more than what the docs have prescribed. So I just work on my immune system and wash my hands alot (I'm a retired nurses so it's habit anyway).

We eat lots of meat, raw goat milk and eggs all of these raised on our farm. So lots of protein/nutrients for hair growth.(sorry, off topic a bit).

**Fencai** · September 8th, 2009, 10:05 AM

good to know! thanks for the info

**feralnature** · September 8th, 2009, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Yayasmurf

I broke both my legs in March 2009

I just wanted to ask are you doing okay? It must be awful with both legs trying to heal up.

**Curlsgirl** · September 8th, 2009, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by Esperanza

You mentioned prescription drugs for arthritis: I had tailbone length when I had to start methotrexate and I lost all my hair. Before taking any meds, one should carefully evaluate benefits versus potential problems. Sometimes we really need the med, and there is no alternative, but sometimes we can avoid the side effects by finding another drug.

Yes or finding a natural way of treating it. Also sometimes we must do research ourselves because doctors sometimes minimize the risks that are associated with medicines. They are inclined also to give you a pill before anything else and then when that causes problems to give you another pill for that and on and on and on. I have had and heard of many experiences like this and not just with one particular doctor but with MANY different medical doctors.

**Zombiekins** · September 8th, 2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Curlsgirl

Yes or finding a natural way of treating it. Also sometimes we must do research ourselves because doctors sometimes minimize the risks that are associated with medicines. They are inclined also to give you a pill before anything else and then when that causes problems to give you another pill for that and on and on and on. I have had and heard of many experiences like this and not just with one particular doctor but with MANY different medical doctors.

Woah, Nelly, back up for a minute. For minor little things like the common cold and whatnots, sure, natural it up. But don't start spreading the news that "Drinking goat's milk and a supplement of cranberry seeds every day cures cancer." Real diseases and illnesses need real medicine. I can't stand snake oil salesmen shistering people out of their lives by claiming there are "natural" or "herbal" cures to cancer or HIV - there aren't.

Thank you, mini rant over. I'm all for chucking out the harmful chemicals and eating food free of fillers and unecessary additives, but please use common sense and do plenty of research.