Finding the reason for unexpected hair loss can be challenging. There are many potential causes, including medications. Your doctor can begin to narrow down the number of causes based on the pattern of hair loss. Hair loss has been seen with several drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Captopril (also known as Capoten), diltiazem also known as Cardizem) and the beta blockers (including metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol and others) have all been reported to cause hair loss. If the drug is the cause, it is usually reversed when the drug is stopped. But this is not always the case. Since there are a number of different kinds of drugs that can be used to treat high blood pressure, a change of drugs may be worthwhile to see if the hair loss stops or improves. Even if the drug is the culprit, it may take several months to see significant improvement.
High Blood Pressure Meds and Hair Loss
Copyright 2006 Harvard Health Publications
Question:
I have been on high blood pressure medicine for the past nine months and during this time have experienced loss of hair. The hair on the top of my head is very thin. Could this be caused by the medicine?
Answer:
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Source: from the Harvard Health Publications Family Health Guide, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.
Used with permission of StayWell.
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