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Q. I am a 39-year-old nurse who is experiencing drastic hair loss. I started taking atenolol for high blood pressure about four months ago. One month after starting the med I started slowly losing my hair.
I am sometimes afraid to brush my hair for fear that it will ALL come out. It comes out so easily. I worry about it every day, though I'm sure that the constant worry also contributes to even more hair loss.
I have asked the doctors that I work with, and their only advice is to start exercising and try to get off the atenolol altogether. I am going to take that advice because my biggest fear is losing my hair.
A. No wonder you worry. Losing a lot of hair is not a pleasant experience.
As you have concluded, atenolol is probably the culprit. What's more, there is considerable controversy about the effectiveness of atenolol for treating hypertension ( The Lancet, Nov. 6, 2004).
A surprising number of medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. We have listed many in the Guide to Hair and Nail Care we are sending you. We are also including our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment, with a number of scientifically supported non-drug approaches.
If diet, exercise and other natural approaches are not adequate for blood pressure control, there are other medicines for hypertension that may be less likely to cause hair loss.
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It seems very odd that someone is experiencing hair loss due to the use of Atenolol. This is a very old drug taken by millions of people for decades (including myself). I've never heard of such a side effect. Why do people, and your website, go out of your way to blame very safe and effective drugs for their problems?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: Atenolol is indeed an old drug and one that is useful in treating heart attack patients. The information supplied by the manufacturer lists "reversible alopecia" (hair loss) as a reaction that has been reported. (Here's the link: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?id=2216#nlm34084-4
No drug is either all bad or all good, but it makes sense for people to know both the benefits and risks of the medications they take.
How do you know it's as safe and effective as you think? No one is collecting any information on the effects of atenolol on hair loss. Maybe those "millions of people" you mention are being told their hair loss is from stress or low thyroid, or any number of other putative causes.
I experienced hair loss while taking metoprolol (also a beta blocker) for migraine prevention. I was losing 200 hairs at each brushing (I counted!!). I quit taking the beta blocker when I read the information supplied by the supplier that indicated "reversible alopecia" (hair loss) was a possible side effect. My hair loss subsided and am happy to report that my hair has completely regrown.
I know the worry caused by hair loss and hope that you will have the same positive experience that I did once you get off the atenolol.
My hair was coming out so fast, I immediately informed the dr. that I was going off of it. I'm now on Cozaar and b.p. is absolutely wonderful- no problems at all.
I have been taking Metoprolol for A Fib for a few years and for the past year I have been experiencing massive hair loss. I'm actually getting a bald spot on back of my crown. It's very aggravating - but - I don't want my a fib to return. Any suggestions?
I take Atenolol and have for over 10 years. Slowly I began losing my body hair, including my eye brows and lashes. After reading about this problem on People's Pharmacy I mentioned it to my heart doctor and she just shrugged (not believing).
Finally this past year when my head hair began failing out at an alarming rate I mentioned it to my GP and he suggested reducing my dosage to 1/2. I did so and within a short period of time my hair loss stopped and slowly I have began to get some body hair back. My BP has remained stable with the lower dosage.
I read the comments re hair loss from using Atenolol and wonder if that is the real reason for losing hair. I am 82 yrs. of age and have been on Atenolol for several years and have not lost hair because of it. Where else should I look besides the hairbrush, shower filter etc?? I would like to know other medications these folks may be taking.... diet is important also.
Would there be any vitamins that cause hair loss as well- I have read about and experienced hair loss with large doses of vitamin A.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: AT HIGH DOSES, VITAMIN A CAN CAUSE HAIR LOSS.
I, too, have been losing copious amounts of hair. I have bags of it because I started saving it. I have informed my doctor, but he sees no reason to become concerned. Though I am on blood pressure and cholesterol medication, I am not on the one mentioned. I am also on thyroid medication and have many of the symptoms connected with improper dosage--losing hair, cracked splitting nails, etc.
I still cannot get my doctor to pay attention to what I am telling him or have shown him. I have cut the frequency of taking it. Maybe I need to stop taking it altogether. Years ago (1959) when I was prescribed thyroid medication I was started on dessicated thyroid. Doctors changed it to Synthroid because it was easier for them. They did not have to test and adjust the dosage. I hope I am not bald before I can get something done. I am losing that much hair. I have hair on my body where I shouldn't and where I should it is falling out or won't grow.
The Atenolol can cause Alopecia Areata (Spot Balding) and she can just ask her doctor to switch to another medication in the same group as the one she's taking until he finds one without that side effect. I was once put on a medication that had the ingredient in it hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar) which was a combination medication for HBP. The same company had another drug (Cozaar) that was not combination and was without the hydrochlorothiazide and once I was started on that one my hair stopped falling out almost immediately.
Atenolol has listed as one of the side effects of taking that medication is Alopecia Areata (Spot Balding) and that statement is listed on the manufacturers web site.
Most groups of medications have many different brands that one can choose from if one brand doesn't work then another one will, you and your doctor just have to be patient until the two of you find the right one that works for you. The 39-year-old nurse can start taking a vitamin specially formulated for the hair and start using Polysorbate 80 on her scalp 10 min before shampooing after her doctor switches her medication to one that doesn't have that side effect.
I had the same problem, but didn't realize it was the atenolol. My doctor suggested I take selenium supplements, and it worked. It took a couple of months to notice fuzziness coming in, but I've been taking it for a bit more than a year now, and my hair has grown back to its original thickness.
I took atenolol and experienced gradual hair loss, then fatigue and depression. When I started losing eye lashes I felt there was something amiss. I consulted with my physician and will find another way to treat high blood pressure.
Dolores, you most definitely need a second doctors opinion. Sometimes we get so placated with doctors we've been with for years but if a doctor ignore your concerns it's time to check out another especially if you have shown him proof that your hair is falling out!
There are hundreds if not thousands of Blood Pressure medications on the market and your doctor should try and find one that doesn't have the side effects of the one you're on, if he doesn't he's lazy because some times it can be a long drawn out process, and for him to ignore your concerns say to me that he doesn't value your opinions and that should not be tolerated.
You don't have to tell him you're going for a second opinion just do it. Older doctors sometimes tend to get a bit agitated when patients ask them questions they can't answer or they're to lazy to research it. Never put all of your trust in one doctor!
And to add to your comment to David H., you might be one of many who take this medication (Atenolol) without any side effects, medications have a different effect on different people. Many medical conditions have the same symptoms and only can they be detected by your doctor running test to distinguish the differences.
My husband took atenol for several years and wondered why his fingers were always cold and numb, even in the summer. He decided to stop atenol and the symptoms gradually disappeared. PS: He was already "hair deprived!"
In July, my doctor started me on 12 mg of hydrochlorothyazide for blood pressure. In November she titrated it to 25mg daily. My hair used to be wavy, shiny and very healthy. All of a sudden, it is dull, lost it's wave and thinning! It started about two months into the higher 25mg dose. I had no idea that the drug caused hair loss.
My question is, is the loss reversible and, if so, how long will it take to grow back after stopping the med? Also, is there anything I should do including taking vitamins (which ones?) to help with the regrowth? I am absolutely devastated and intend to call my doctor on Monday to change my script.
I see with interest comments on hair loss and Atenolol. I HAD such a thick amount of hair but started loosing it at an alarming rate. Doctor didn't know why so I went to a specialist in Boston but got no more information. This was years ago and I still lose more hair than normal although, no bald spots and some grows in while still losing. Any comments/suggestions for me? I'm now in my mid 70s and this has been on-going for at least 20+ years. Do I ask new doctor (previous retired) for a change in medication for b/p? TIA!
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: ASKING ABOUT A POSSIBLE CHANGE OF BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICINE, ONE LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE HAIR LOSS, IS CERTAINLY REASONABLE.
I am experiencing severe hair loss--almost bald in back of head now. I am a lady 71 yrs of age, I have taken atenolol 25 mgs for several years. Last year my Dr. put me on double atenolol 50 mgs per day. Almost immediately after going on 50 mgs My hair started falling out and I started having severe sinus problems for which I am on my third anti-biotic to treat.
I have constant coughing with the atenolol. My son and daughter both had to go off the atenolol because of coughing and being so cold always. I am going to talk to my heart Dr. to see if he will take me off the atenolol.
I am 39 yrs old, I have been taking Atenolol 50mg for 14yrs. I have been losing my hair slowly ever since. Told the doctor, she just shrugged it off. Well it is at a point now where it is visible, I can feel myself getting depressed, and it sucks. This to me is so terrible, never ever thought I would have hair loss, because my hair was so thick. I think I am going to try to get off the prescription myself slowly. I cant take losing any more hair. I don't know what else to do?
Thank you Amy for quelling some of my fears about hair loss while taking propranolol! I am too afraid of counting how many hairs I lose on a daily basis but I would guess it is pretty much close to 200! I have been off Prop for about 3 weeks now. How long before you noticed your hair stopped falling out?
Cathy
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: BE SURE TO TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THIS. STOPPING A BETA-BLOCKER LIKE PROPRANOLOL REQUIRES MEDICAL SUPERVISION.
David,
You have been blessed if you have not had the hair loss problem on Atenolol. I and my aunt have not been as blessed. I have been having drastic loss since around 08 and no one, Dr nor Dermatologist, could tell me why. I had everything checked. I finally did research online myself and found a forum about Atenolol, where many described the same hair loss pattern as myself (from middle to all over the left-side of my head).
I saw my aunt this past weekend and I could see her scalp from middle of her head to left side and asked if she was taking Atenolol and of course she was. I told her to speak with her Dr about changing the drug. I am still curious as to why mostly the left side. I can only guess because the heart is more to left than right. Dear if it walks and quacks like a duck...then it's a duck.
Peoples Pharmacy....LOVE THE BOOK!!! If you don't have it get. I would like to get the new edition as I have had mine for yrs since while living in Raleigh,NC.
I've been taking Benicar 40 mg/12.5 HCT for a few years; no hair loss problems. Started taking Atenelol 25 mg this past January (about 5 months ago) and for the past few months I've noticed a great deal of hair loss, especially when I wash or brush my hair. And it's not breaking off from color, it's coming directly from the root! I'm wondering if it is the combination of the two medications, or simply the Atenelol? Any suggestions as to another beta blocker that does not have "reversible alopecia?" Thanks
I've had the same problems as all the rest of the people above, hair loss due to high blood pressure pills. I take both Accupril and Toprol XL. I noticed a significant amount of hair loss. I mentioned it to my doctor who said try Rogaine. It is now so bad that it's getting very embarrassing. I'm a 52 year old woman. I used to have such thick hair, it was even thick and full after I turned gray. I am hoping when I see him tomorrow that he will change my medication.
Today I went to my Dr. and he has placed me back on my blood pressure pills. I can't remember the brand that I once was on two years ago before taking myself off the medications do to hair loss and the thickness was no longer there. This is not much help they were small and yellow.
I have concerns for the medication he has prescribed for me today which is AMLODIPINE. This is more of a calicum blocker. Should I worry for my hair? I did make him aware of my concerns of why I relieved myself from the medication two years ago and this medication is suppose to be better in my satisfaction of no hair loss. Should I worry? Is their anyone who is taking or has taken this medication and has had no disappointments in it?
All I can say is, if a doctor shrugged me off that would be the last time that would happen to me. First I would go and find me another doctor and then drop the one who shrugged me, too many doctors stereotype their patients and that is wrong. All elderly people aren't suffering from the same thing and shouldn't be medicated according to their ages. My mother had a doctor who put all of his elderly patients pretty much on the same medical regimen, Antidepressants, diuretics and sleeping pills in all he had her on seven different medications.
I changed my mother's doctor and the first thing he did was cut her medications from seven to three, one of which was more of a supplement than a medication which was potassium because diuretics tend to deplete your body of potassium. If you are afraid (which a patient should never feel) to talk to your doctor, then you have the wrong doctor because you should be or at least feel comfortable speaking with your doctor. Many of the people here are speaking about losing their hair, feeling tired and depressed.
I suggest that you ask your doctor about your thyroid and adrenals. Many older as well as some younger people have problems with absorbing nutritional substances into their body and therefore their doctor can have test run in order to find out if there's something else going on other than their medication, but there are medications that deplete your body of certain nutrients and they must be replenished through supplements such as Vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids. If a doctor isn't loyal to you then you shouldn't feel the need to be loyal to the doctor, medicine is a two-way street!