Medication associated with Hair Growth

Certain medications can affect hair growth, which may impact the success and results of hair removal methods.

If you have been prescribed medication that falls into the groups below, we strongly advise you to speak to your GP or consultant: do not halt or reduce your medication without seeking professional medical advice.

  • SEX HORMONE RELATED

  • Androgens and Oestrogens (varied): prescribed for symptoms of menopause.

  • Androgenic progestin(varied): regulating the menstrual cycle.

  • Contraceptives(varied): to prevent pregnancy.  

  • Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS): prescribed in older people to help offset a decrease in lean body & bone mass.

  • Testosterone (Android, Testim, Fluoxymesterone Testogel): male hormone sometimes used for replacement therapy in deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone: also used to treat breast cancer.

  •  STEROIDS

  • Anabolic steroid (Primobolan, Parabolan): to help rebuild tissue after serious injury or illness. It treats some anaemia and some breast cancer & treats hereditary swelling of various parts of the body (Angioedema).

  • Corticosteroids(varied): to treat inflammation-based diseases like asthma & lupus and to prevent rejection of transplanted organs.

  • DRUGS AFFECTING ADRENAL OR PITUITARY GLAND

  • Aminoglutethimide (varied): treats tumours that affect the adrenal cortex.

  • (Acthar Gel) stimulates the production of hormones by the adrenal gland.

  • Metyrapone (Metopirone): to test for the proper function of adrenal glands.

  • ANTI-SEIZURE MEDICATION

  • Acetazolamide (Diamox): to treat glaucoma, epileptic seizures, and oedema due to congestive heart failure & to lessen the effects of climbing to high altitude.

  • Phenytoin (Epanutin): treats epileptic seizures.

  • Valproate (various) to treat epileptic seizures and bipolar disorder.

  •  MISCELLANEOUS MEDICATIONS

  • Cyclosporin: prevents rejection of transplanted organs and treats rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Diazoxide (Hyperstat): treats low blood sugar(hypoglycaemia) and high blood sugar 9hyperglycemia).

  • Metoclopramide (Maxolon): treats symptoms of a stomach problem called diabetic gastroparesis and heartburn, treats chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and is used to diagnose some problems of the stomach or intestines.

  • Minoxidil (Loniten, Regaine): treats high blood pressure (Loniten); can be used to promote hair growth (Rogaine).

  • Penicillamine (Cuprimine): to treat Wilson`s disease (excess copper in the body), rheumatoid arthritis & lead poisoning. Prevents kidney stones.

  • Phenobarbital (Luminal): used for surgery to relieve anxiety, treat insomnia, and treat seizures (generalised, tonic-clonic & cortical focal).

  • Phenothiziazine derivatives (varied): Antihistamines to relieve allergy or hay fever symptoms.

  • Psoralens(varied): used with ultraviolet light to treat vitiligo and psoriasis, and sometimes used to treat white blood cells in lymphoma.

 

  • NON-PRESCRIPTIVE MEDICINES AND SUPPLEMENTS

  • Biotin: Biotin supplements are believed to aid hair and nail growth in cases of biotin deficiency. The evidence for creating new growth is not fully proven, but existing hair may become stronger.

  • Collagen: studies have shown improvements in hair condition rather than encouraging new growth.