Alopecia is a condition which causes scalp and body hair loss. It is brought on by several causes. Some of these causes are the drugs that are used for treating a variety of ailments that affects the human body. These drugs have been found effective for their intended use but they also bring many side effects, which includes hair loss. If you are taking certain drugs and you notice you hair falling unusually, do not panic yet. You can consult your physician about the possible side effects of the drugs you are taking. If they do, then it could easily be reversed. Once the drug is stopped, the hair loss will stop too.
The drugs that cause alopecia can be prescription drugs, over the counter or highly controlled drugs. There are over three hundred of these drugs that are known to cause hair loss as a side effect. Therefore, before taking any medication, read the label if hair loss is included on the list of possible side effects. Product labels always include these information but if it is not there, talk to your doctor for possible ill effects of the drugs. In addition, Antineoplastic drugs and chemotherapy also has hair loss as side effect. Like chemotherapy, antineoplastic drugs are used to fight cancer. They are administered to kill or control neoplastic cells and aside from hair loss, also include suppression of bone marrow function, nausea and vomiting. Cancer is a life threatening condition that is hard to cure. The treatment regimen is usually prolonged and it is common for cancer patients to lose all of their body hair because of anti cancer treatment and medications.
The effects of alopecia can be humiliating if untreated immediately. However, it should not be enough to cause a person to stop his treatment because of it. Drugs that are causing the condition are prescribed to treat a more serious malady. The medication-induced hair loss can easily be reversed. Once the taking of the drugs is stopped, so is the hair loss. The side effect is rarely permanent so do not despair over your condition. The treatment is more important than the side effect.
