What Medications Cause Hair Loss?

Hair loss isn’t just caused by old age and genetics. There are many different hair loss conditions, each with their own cause—and in some cases, hair loss can be triggered by certain medications.

But what medications cause hair loss? And is there anything you can do about drug-related hair loss?

If it seems unfair you can lose hair by taking prescription drugs necessary for other health conditions, we get it. But it does happen, and we’re here to help. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common medications that can cause hair loss and also look at how to treat this type of hair loss.

First, we want to assure you that most medication-related hair loss is only temporary, although certain medications can lead to permanent hair loss.

More often than not, medication-induced hair loss is telogen effluvium, a form of temporary hair loss that develops as a response to stress, infection, surgery, or medication use.

This shock to your system can prematurely push hair follicles into the resting phase (telogen phase) of the hair growth cycle. This leads to diffuse hair loss all over your scalp.

Knowing what medications cause hair loss can help you figure out what to avoid and how to remedy it. 

Some of the most common medications that can cause hair loss include:

• Cancer medications

• Antihypersensitive medications

• ACE inhibitors

• Statins

• Anticoagulants

• Anticonvulsants

• Antidepressants

• Vitamin A

• Antibiotics and antifungal medications

• Medications that increase testosterone

Here’s what to know.

1. Cancer Medications

Hair loss is a well-known side effect of many chemotherapy drugs used to treat certain forms of cancer.

Chemo causes hair loss because it’s designed to target fast-growing cells, like cancer cells. Unfortunately, it also targets fast-growing cells that aren’t cancerous, like hair cells.

Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is called anagen effluvium, as it targets hair in the anagen phase (growth phase) of the hair growth cycle.

Certain chemo drugs are more likely to cause hair shedding than others, such as: 

• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin®). Often called the "red devil," this chemotherapy drug is used to treat breast cancer, leukemia, lymphomas, and other cancers and is known for causing rapid hair loss.

• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®). Frequently used for breast cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma, this drug commonly leads to anagen effluvium.

• Paclitaxel (Taxol®) and Docetaxel (Taxotere®). These taxane-based drugs are used for treating breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers and are strongly linked to chemotherapy-induced alopecia—especially docetaxel. 

• Etoposide (Toposar®, Etopophos®). Used in lung, bladder, stomach, and testicular cancer treatment, this drug can contribute to temporary hair loss.

• Ifosfamide (Ifex®). This medication, often used in sarcomas and testicular cancer, is known for causing hair thinning and loss.

The good news? Hair loss from cancer treatment usually isn’t permanent. 

Hair will often grow back in two to three months after you finish chemotherapy—or three to six months after you reach the end of radiation therapy. 

However, in rare cases, some chemotherapy regimens—particularly taxane-based drugs—can cause irreversible hair loss.

Curious about what hair regrowth you can expect after your cancer treatment has ended? We put together a guide on hair growth after chemo.

2. Antihypertensive Medications

If you take a high blood pressure (aka hypertension) medication and have noticed thinning hair, you may have wondered if there’s a link. So, does metoprolol cause hair loss, or can you use it without worrying?

The short answer: It’s possible. Some blood pressure medications, including beta-blockers, have been linked to hair loss.

Commonly prescribed beta-blockers include:

• Propranolol

• Atenolol

• Metoprolol

• Timolol

• Nadolol

Fortunately, this type of hair loss is usually temporary.

3. ACE Inhibitors

If you’re using ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, you may experience some hair loss.

Commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include:

• Benazepril

• Captopril

• Lisinopril

• Moexipril

• Ramipril

• Trandolapril

• Enalapril/enalaprilat

ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure. Definitely don’t stop taking your medication, even if you’re noticing possible lisinopril hair loss, unless your healthcare provider advises it.

4. Statins

Although uncommon, some statins (which are used to lower cholesterol levels) may cause hair loss.

Commonly prescribed statins include:

• Atorvastatin

• Fluvastatin

• Pravastatin

• Rosuvastatin

According to Harvard Medical School, roughly 1 percent of people prescribed a statin report some level of hair loss during treatment.

5. Anticoagulants

If you’ve been prescribed medication to prevent blood clots, you’re taking anticoagulants (also called blood thinners). Hair loss is a well-known side effect of this type of drug.

Blood thinner medications that cause hair loss include:

• Warfarin

• Heparin

• Dalteparin

• Acenocoumarol

• Enoxaparin

• Tinzaparin

Get in touch with your healthcare provider if you’re taking one of these and are experiencing excessive shedding.

6. Anticonvulsants

Several anticonvulsants—medications used to treat and prevent epileptic seizures and conditions such as bipolar disorder—are associated with hair loss.

Anticonvulsants like valproic acid (Depakote®) and trimethadione (Tridione®) have been linked to hair loss. This particular side effect seems to be more common with valproic acid, with some research showing around 9 percent of users report some degree of hair loss.

7. Antidepressants

If you’re one of many who take antidepressants for your mental health, you may experience some hair loss.

Several case reports have connected temporary hair loss with common antidepressants, such as:

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin®)

• Sertraline (Zoloft®)

• Paroxetine (Paxil®)

• Venlafaxine (Effexor®)

• Fluoxetine (Prozac®)

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta®)

It is worth noting, though, that hair loss is reported by only a small percentage of people who take this type of medication.

Antidepressants aren’t the only psychiatric medications that can cause hair loss—certain mood-stabilizing drugs, like lithium, may also lead to hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

8. Vitamin A (Isotretinoin)

Although it’s uncommon, you might experience some hair shedding after starting medications high in vitamin A.

Usually, medications that are high in vitamin A are used to treat acne. A common example is isotretinoin (Accutane®).

You can learn more about this in our guide to Accutane-related hair loss.

9. Antibiotics and Antifungal Medication

Can antibiotics cause hair loss? Maybe. Though many people report losing hair after starting antibiotics, there isn’t much scientific research on this.

Hair loss can be caused by severe illness and fever. So bear in mind the illness you’re trying to treat antibiotics with might actually be causing your hair loss—not the antibiotics themselves.

Certain antifungal drugs, however, can cause hair loss. For example, a drug called fluconazole, which is often used to treat serious fungal infections and yeast infections, can cause temporary hair shedding, according to a 2024 study.

10. Medications That Increase Testosterone

You might associate testosterone with excessive body hair. But ironically, medications that increase testosterone may sometimes increase hair loss.

Let’s back up for a second.

Your body converts a small amount of testosterone into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can damage hair follicles over time. This causes a permanent type of hair loss called androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. (This condition is called female pattern hair loss when it happens to women.)

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause of hair loss in men. It’s not always caused by medication, but some medications might play a role in increasing the production of DHT, which accelerates the hair loss process.

If you use testosterone for hormone replacement therapy, for instance, you may notice more hair loss during treatment as your testosterone level goes up. 

Other types of hormone medications, like anabolic steroids, birth control pills, and other contraceptives, may also cause hair loss.

If you’re experiencing new hair loss and trying to figure out the cause, it’s a good idea to consider what medications you’re taking. As you saw above, there’s a pretty long list of medications that can have hair loss as a possible side effect. 

Drug-induced alopecia can show up in different ways depending on the medication and how it affects your hair follicles. Here are some signs to watch for: 

• Increased hair shedding. If you notice more hair in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower drain than usual, this could be a sign of telogen effluvium, a common type of hair loss triggered by medications.

• Diffuse thinning. Unlike male or female pattern baldness, which typically causes receding hairlines or thinning at the crown, medication-related hair loss often results in overall thinning across the scalp.

• Sudden onset. While genetic hair loss is typically gradual, drug-induced alopecia often begins within weeks or months of starting a new medication.

• Hair breakage or fragility. Some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs or isotretinoin, can weaken the hair shaft, making hair more brittle and prone to breakage.

• Changes in your hair texture. A shift in your typical hair type can be another indication of medication-related hair changes. You might notice that your hair becomes finer or drier, or loses its natural luster.

• Patchy hair loss. Certain medications, especially those that increase DHT levels, may accelerate androgenetic alopecia, leading to noticeable bald spots or thinning in specific areas.

• Loss of eyebrow or body hair. Some drugs, particularly chemotherapy agents, may cause hair loss beyond the scalp, affecting eyebrows, eyelashes, and body hair.

If any of these symptoms describe things you’re noticing and you’ve started a new medication recently, consult your healthcare provider. They can help identify whether your medication is involved and what some alternative options may be. 

Now that you know what medications and prescription drugs can cause hair loss, you’re probably wondering how to stop hair loss from medication. Fortunately, it’s usually temporary—and it can be treated.

Knowing what medications cause hair loss is step one. Step two is figuring out what to do about it.

But first, an important warning: Don’t stop taking prescription meds without first talking to your healthcare provider. While hair loss can be frustrating, suddenly stopping medication may worsen your medical condition or make you experience other side effects. This is especially vital if you’re taking medication for a life-threatening condition like cancer or severe depression.

If you notice hair loss after starting a specific medication, let your healthcare provider know. They may suggest adjusting your dosage or using a different medication that’s less likely to cause hair loss.

Additionally, some hair loss treatments and strategies may be helpful:

• Minoxidil. Also known as Rogaine®, minoxidil is an over-the-counter product that can stimulate the hair growth process and help you regrow new hair faster. Minoxidil foam and minoxidil solution (a liquid) are topical treatments that you can apply directly to the parts of your scalp with noticeable hair loss.

• Finasteride. FDA-approved for treating male pattern hair loss, finasteride reduces your body’s production of DHT to help with hair regrowth. You can use this oral medication on its own or try a combination, like our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray.

• Food and supplements. Did you know nutritional deficiencies can cause or worsen hair loss? Try to eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals and consider using a hair growth supplement like our biotin gummies if needed.

• Good health habits. While medications can cause hair loss, so can illness and stress. A bit of self-care and stress management can go a long way in protecting your hair follicles.

Not sure where to start? Some personalized medical advice might be handy. A healthcare professional, like a general practitioner or dermatologist, can help you navigate treatment options.

If you’re dealing with hair loss, there’s a chance your medication is the culprit. A variety of meds have been linked to hair loss, resulting in bald patches, excessive shedding, and more.

Here’s what to keep in mind about medication-induced hair loss:

• Many prescription drugs can cause hair loss. These include chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, blood pressure meds, and more. Testosterone medications can also speed up the progression of male pattern hair loss.

• But don’t stop using prescription medicine suddenly. If you’re on prescription medication, you shouldn’t go off it unless advised by a healthcare professional. Suddenly stopping can be dangerous.

• There’s good news, though. Drug-induced hair loss is usually temporary and treatable. Medications like finasteride and minoxidil have been shown to work for most people with consistent use.

The first step? Let your healthcare provider know if you’re concerned about hair loss from medication before you stop taking the drug or change your dosage.

If you’re ready to take action, take our free online hair quiz, and we’ll connect you with a licensed healthcare professional.