Written by Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP | Reviewed by Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Updated on January 12, 2024print_outlinedemail_outlined

Key takeaways:

• There are many medications that may cause hair loss. These medications can cause hair to thin or come out in clumps. Common examples include chemotherapy, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications.
• Oral retinoids, tamoxifen, and blood thinners can also cause hair loss. It usually reverses once you stop taking the medication, but in some cases it can be permanent.
• It’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about hair loss caused by medication — don’t try to treat it on your own. They can recommend the best treatment option or make changes to your medications to help reverse or manage hair loss safely.

Table of contents

Retinoids

Antidepressants

Blood thinners

Anti-seizure meds

Beta blockers

Antithyroid meds

Chemotherapy

Tamoxifen

Some arthritis meds

Allopurinol

Levodopa

Ozempic

Treating hair loss

Bottom line

References

“Rattankun Thongbun”/iStock via Getty Images

If you or someone you know has experienced hair loss, you know how distressing this condition can be. Even though it’s not a life-threatening problem, it can harm your self-image and quality of life. Sometimes hair loss is caused by the natural process of getting older, such as hormone changes. It can also be caused by genetics. But there are many medications that can cause hair loss, too.

Chemotherapy is the most well-known type of medication that causes hair loss. But what are the other medications that cause hair loss you should be aware of? And is there anything you can do to prevent it? Let’s take a look at the most common medications that may cause hair loss.

1. Retinoids

Retinoids are a class of medications that are used to treat skin conditions such as acne and discoloration. They’re derived from vitamin A and help lower inflammation and promote cell turnover.

Oral retinoids, like isotretinoin (Absorica), are known to cause telogen effluvium in some people. Telogen effluvium is when hair comes out in clumps. For example, you may notice more hair collecting in your hairbrush or in the shower. 

Hair loss seems to happen more often with higher doses of oral retinoids. But it’s often reversible after you finish the treatment course. You’ll typically take oral retinoids for 15 to 20 weeks. But if hair loss is severe or becomes concerning for you, talk to your healthcare provider. They may have you stop taking the medication sooner.

2. Antidepressants

Antidepressants are a class of medications that are used to treat mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. They work by affecting certain chemicals in the brain. 

Several antidepressants may cause hair loss, but the reason why is unclear. Commonly used antidepressants that may cause hair loss include:

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

According to one study, bupropion may have a higher risk of hair loss compared with other antidepressants.

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