There are many different illnesses and infections that could potentially cause hair loss. In those cases, you’ll often be prescribed a medication that will result in hair regrowth. Other medications like minoxidil – which has a different function when taken orally – can treat hair loss when applied topically.
While there are examples of medications that can help to prevent hair loss or even reverse temporary hair loss, there are still other over-the-counter medications available that could trigger or accelerate hair loss.
So… what medications cause hair loss?
Aspirin And Hair Loss
How aspirin affects our hair might be more complicated than you think. A lesser-known positive effect of aspirin is that it can help reduce inflammation when it’s applied topically. This includes scalp inflammation. This is why aspirin is an ingredient in many dandruff shampoos. In these instances (when used topically) aspirin can potentially save you from temporary hair loss.
That said, taking aspirin orally is a different story. Studies have shown that taking aspirin along with minoxidil (the drug used in Rogaine) decreases its efficiency. This is due to the anticoagulant properties in aspirin.
Anticoagulants And Hair Loss
Anticoagulants have been tied to a specific kind of hair loss called telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss can affect the entirety of your scalp and does not accelerate male pattern baldness. Basically, your scalp gets pushed into the resting state where you’ll shed hair on your scalp… but it won’t necessarily grow back. It can take about three months before hair loss through medications like anticoagulants can be noticed.
It’s important to note that anticoagulants are life-saving drugs. If you’ve been prescribed anticoagulants or recommended to take over-the-counter anticoagulants by your doctor, do not stop taking them without consultation and approval.
Do NSAIDs Cause Hair Loss?
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are similar to anticoagulants in that they can trigger telogen effluvium hair loss. You may be taking over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen to help manage arthritis pain for example. Though it’s not overly common for regular ibuprofen use to cause telogen effluvium, it does still happen. It will take – just like with anticoagulants – approximately three months to notice the effects.
If you’re managing the pain of arthritis to get through your day-to-day life, please talk to your doctor before you stop taking ibuprofen.
Robotic Hair Restoration Long Island Can Help Restore Your Hair & Confidence
Many of us take over-the-counter medication to help manage ailments like arthritis or to prevent heart attacks and stroke. Unfortunately for some people, side effects of regular use of those OTC medications include hair loss.
Whether it was hair loss and thinning caused by over-the-counter medications, stress, or simply a genetic disposition, RHRLI has got you covered. We offer both surgical and non-surgical remedies and procedures to restore your hair including the use of our state of the art ARTAS® Robotic Hair Transplant System. This hair transplant procedure is minimally invasive and will get you back to your day-to-day life quickly. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation.