Many medications cause hair loss as a side effect.
Usually, these drugs only cause temporary hair loss that goes away after you adjust to or stop taking them.
These medications do so by damaging individual hair follicles at different stages of the hair growth cycle.
But does Amlodipine cause hair loss? Or is something else triggering your hair to fall?
We'll present the evidence behind this claim and provide you with everything you need to know about Amlodipine and hair loss.
Does Amlodipine cause hair loss?
And most importantly, did it cause YOUR hair loss?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the research on the matter is inconclusive. Some people who take Amlodipine see their hair thin or even fall out temporarily, but it is unclear whether the medication is to blame.
After analyzing FDA data, researchers found that only 1.38% of people who took Amlodipine lost their hair. The same study concluded that patients aged sixty or older who had been using the medication for two to five years were more likely to experience hair loss than others.
It is, therefore, quite unlikely that Amlodipine is the reason for your hair loss.
Most of the time, hair loss caused by taking Amlodipine is temporary and goes away when you stop taking the drug. But, sometimes it doesn't.
If you are experiencing hair loss while taking Amlodipine, you must speak with your doctor to rule out any other potential causes. There may be other medications you can take instead that don't cause hair loss as a side effect.
Why does Amlodipine make you lose hair?
The mechanism by which Amlodipine causes hair loss is unknown. However, it is hypothesized that the drug interferes with the body's calcium metabolism. This interference may decrease the production of hair growth factors, which can result in hair loss.
Amlodipine is not the only calcium channel blocker linked to hair loss. Other drugs in this class, such as nifedipine and verapamil, have also been associated with hair loss.
This side effect may be caused by how these drugs interfere with calcium metabolism.
Does Amlodipine permanently cause hair loss?
Amlodipine's side effects can differ for each person, so there is no one answer to this question. But most of the time, hair loss caused by Amlodipine is temporary, and your hair will grow back to normal once you stop taking it.
But in some cases, shrinking or hair loss can be permanent. If you have this side effect, you should talk to the doctor who gave you the drug and tell him or her about the side effects you are having. They may be able to recommend a different medication that does not cause hair loss.
How can I prevent hair loss caused by Amlodipine?
If you are experiencing hair loss while taking Amlodipine, it is important to consult your doctor to determine the cause. Hair loss has many potential causes, including medication side effects, poor nutrition, and stress.
However, to increase hair growth and prevent hair loss, you can try these steps.
Take hair supplements
You should also consider taking hair supplements that contains ingredients to improve hair health, strengthen hair strands and encourage hair regrowth.
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Use hair growth products
In addition, for thick hair and to stop hair loss, use hair growth products.
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Eat healthy
You should consider consuming a healthy and balanced diet filled with vitamins that encourage hair growth.
A few of these vitamins are:
- Biotin – Promotes new hair growth in areas where hair has been lost.
- Vitamin D – Promotes the growth of new hair follicles.
- Iron – Iron helps your hair grow by giving your roots and hair follicles oxygen.
- Zinc – It helps hair grow and keeps it in good shape.
- Vitamin C – Ensures that collagen is produced, a key component of healthy hair.
If all fails, consult a doctor
A doctor can take relevant tests to determine whether your hair loss is caused by the drug, or caused by other factors.
Once the reason is known, doctors can recommend other steps you can take, those are usually:
- Use alternative medicine
- Undergo hair loss treatment using drugs (minoxidil and finasteride)
- Hair transplant
- Wigs, tattoos or a change of hairstyle.
What is Amlodipine?
Amlodipine is a medication for high blood pressure. Amlodipine can be taken with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure.
Reducing your blood pressure is important to avoid strokes, heart disease, and kidney disorders. Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers.
Amlodipine relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely. It can also treat certain types of chest pain (angina). This may help you exercise more and have fewer angina attacks.
What are Amlodipine side effects?
Amlodipine can make you very sleepy, and it can also have other side effects.
Common side effects
Here are some of the more common side effects associated with Amlodipine:
- Ankle or leg swelling
- Feeling tired or sleepy
- Feeling dizzy
- Your face feels hot or warm (flushing)
- Having stomach pains
- Nausea
- Palpitations (fast heart rate)
- An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Tremors
- Unusual muscle movements
If these effects aren't too bad, they might go away in a few days or weeks. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if they get worse or don't go away.
Serious side effects
Amlodipine rarely causes serious side effects and happens in a relatively small number of cases. Here are some of the more serious side effects associated with Amlodipine:
- Severe pain in your stomach.
- Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
- Having chest pain more often or more severely.
- An irregular, rapid, or pounding heartbeat
- Fainting
You should speak with your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects.
Allergic reaction
It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to Amlodipine. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- You develop a rash, which may include itching, redness, swelling, blistering, or peeling
- You have wheezing
- You feel tight in your chest or throat
- Breathing or speaking is difficult for you
- You experience swelling in your mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
Should I stop taking Amlodipine?
If you are experiencing hair loss due to taking Amlodipine, it is important to consult with your doctor. They may be able to recommend a different medication that does not cause hair loss.
However, in most cases, any hair loss resulting from taking Amlodipine is temporary and reversible once you stop taking the medication.
You could have a stroke or heart attack if you suddenly quit taking Amlodipine. So, we want you to keep taking your Amlodipine as directed, no matter how much hair loss you have.
The only person who can tell you whether or not to stop taking your blood pressure medication is your doctor. However, you could also consult with them about trying different drugs that might be more effective for you and natural remedies.
Alternatives to Amlodipine for high blood pressure
If you are taking Amlodipine and losing your hair and want to change your blood pressure medicine, talk to your doctor to find the best treatment for your specific needs. There are many different types of blood pressure medicines, so it is important to find the one that works best for you.
Don't take any medicines that you didn't get from a doctor because they could cause side effects that could be dangerous.
However, here is a list of trusted alternatives to Amlodipine that could help you control high blood pressure, angina, or coronary artery disease (CAD):
- Other drugs that block calcium channels (such as nifedipine, diltiazem, or verapamil)
- ACE Inhibitors (such as lisinopril, ramipril, or benazepril)
- ARBs (such as losartan, telmisartan, or candesartan)
- Medications that work as beta-blockers (such as carvedilol, metoprolol, and bisoprolol)
Before starting any new medication, you should talk to your doctor. They will understand the risks of the drugs and know for sure if they will work for you.
Other common causes of hair loss
You must consider the possibility that something else is to blame, given the low likelihood that Amlodipine may cause hair loss. Many things could cause you to start losing your hair. These include:
Androgenetic alopecia
People of all sexes can suffer from androgenic alopecia, also known as male and female pattern baldness. Most of the time, hair loss is caused by genes and is not limited to one gender; both men and women can have it. If you have genetic alopecia, you might first notice bald spots or hair loss around your temples.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which comes from testosterone, is the main cause. DHT hurts your hair follicles, which stops your hair from growing and makes it fall out. Men usually have more testosterone than women, which could be why men are more likely to go bald.
Syphilis
Syphilis is an infection that is spread through sexual contact. It can cause patches of hair loss on the head, brows, and beard. If you treat this as soon as you notice the first signs, you won't lose your hair.
According to one study, hair loss rates range between 2.9% and 7% among patients with secondary syphilis due to the infection.
Alopecia areata
Hair falls out suddenly as a result of alopecia areata. Hair loss is caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles. Alopecia areata must be treated immediately if you begin experiencing it.
Cancer treatment
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can lead to hair loss. The good news is that your hair will grow back eventually.
Some chemotherapy drugs target all fast-growing cells in the body. That means they kill cancer cells, but they also kill healthy cells, including the ones in your hair follicles. As a result, you may lose all your hair, or you may just lose the hair on your scalp.
Excessive stress
High stress can cause three different kinds of hair loss:
- Telogen effluvium: A lot of stress causes telogen effluvium when many hair follicles go into a resting phase. The affected hairs may all fall out at once in a few months when you just comb or wash your hair.
- Trichotillomania: The compulsive drive to remove hair from your scalp or other areas of your body is known as trichotillomania. Hair pulling is a way to deal with bad or uncomfortable feelings like anxiety, tension, isolation, frustration, or anger.
- Alopecia areata: Numerous factors, including a great deal of stress, might contribute to alopecia areata. In alopecia areata, the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
Stress-related hair loss doesn't have to last forever. If you can deal with your stress, your hair might start to grow back.
Behavioural conditions
Hair loss is an unfortunate side effect of our habits, including rough styling and tight hairstyles. Constant tugging on the roots can cause hair follicles to weaken, which leads not only to quickening but also widespread thinning throughout your head or even bald spots!
Hair Products
Hair damage is an unfortunate side effect of styling your hair with heavy products like wax or chemicals. These may cause dryness and damage elasticity, eventually leading to hair loss!
Conclusion
Amlodipine may cause hair loss as a result of its numerous side effects. You must speak with your doctor if you are concerned about Amlodipine causing hair loss. There are many treatments available that can help with Amlodipine-induced hair loss.
Read more:
- Minoxidil Shedding: Is it Normal?
- How Long Does Finasteride Take to Work?
- Does Hair Gel Cause Hair Loss: Everything You Need To Know
