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Hair loss

Posted , 57 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi, I've been taking Omerprozrole since April, I have been loosing my hair and now I've got a few bald bits and my hair is gone very thin, has ayone else experienced this problem

7 likes, 91 replies

91 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Are you sure this is a side-effect of omeprazole? I hope not!
  • Basaan
    Basaan

    Posted

    Hi Wendy and all other Omeprazole users. I too have been taking this medication for nearly 3 years and have been experiencing horrendous amounts of hair loss since starting it. I had very long thick hair and now I have patchy, weak, long string hanging from my head. Stupidly I didn't even connect this problem with Omeprazole until I read your message and thought it was an age thing. I am going to stop taking it for a while to see if there's an improvement and will let you know. I'd rather have stomach problems than be a bald woman!! Vanity huh !!!!
  • northeast96
    northeast96

    Posted

    Hello Folks

    If you look elsewhere on this site particularly relating to achalasia or oesophagus problems you will find quite a few comments on the hair loss caused by this drug. Some have not regained their hair even after stopping the drug. In my case it affected my eyes with blurring and inability to focus but I'm pleased to say my eyes have now returned to normal 6 months later.

    Jean

  • angelicghost
    angelicghost

    Posted

    I noticed i have been losing a fair bit more hair in the last couple of years. I put it down to age as i am now 45, maybe it's down to the omeprazole , maybe not. I would much rather protect my stomach as i have been on anti inflams permanently for the last 3 or 4 years and will probably need them for life. Just think of all the funky wigs you can have instead of having to mess about with your hair every day, vanity was never big on my list although i do take care with my appearance and i would always put my health first.
    • Guest
      Guest angelicghost

      Posted

      How long have you been on the for now, what dosage?
  • marcus_brutus
    marcus_brutus

    Posted

    Hi there, I'm an ex-pat living in Kansas City, USA. I was prescribed Omeprazole in Nov 2009, and after about 6 weeks, noticed my hair was very shiny and getting thin and growing a lot slower than normal. I normally get my hair cut every 4 weeks, but now I can go 6 weeks easily. My stylist noticed it seemd thinner than normal. I've been searching the Internet to seek out answers, and am delighted to have found this link.

    I thought carefully about any other new medication I've been taking and Omeprazole is the only addition. The males in my family have never experienced baldness, so it is not herediatary.

    I'm going to talk to my Doctor to seek out an alternative. He prescribed me two tablets a day for the rest of my life (I'm 59). They are 20 mg caplets.

    Did anyone have an alternative pill that worked for them?

    Thanks.

    Ian

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    My Mum has been taking Omeprazole for the past three years. She was \"famous\" in the family for the thick (and I mean THICK) head of hair she has had from a child. (her sisters all had average hair). Now it is very thin. In fact, you can see her scalp through the hair. Although she is 77years old, the fact is she was 74 when she started taking this drug and her hair was so thick that the hairdresser used to sit on a stool to blowdry it.. now they just blow on it. but what is the alternative? sad
  • northeast96
    northeast96

    Posted

    I also have ruined hair through this drug. I had lots of hair, although it was fine. It permed in next to no time and only needed two perms per year. Now it will not take a perm and is constantly a mess. The alternative is Nexium, which the GP's will not prescribe because of the cost.

    Jean

  • EmisModerator
    EmisModerator

    Posted

    Hi

    [color=red:8c38e2b204]Updated 9.12.2010:[/color:8c38e2b204]

    “According to at least two SPCs for omeprazole (Losec and Winthrop’s generic), hair loss (alopecia) is a known, albeit rare, side-effect of omeprazole. Concerned patients should be advised to discuss it with their doctors.”

    If you feel that a symptom is due to a side effect of a medicine that you have taken then you may wish to report it to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via their yellow card scheme - http://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

    Patient UK Admin

    • heatherspain
      heatherspain EmisModerator

      Posted

      I have tried this but although I am a UK citizen, because I live in Spain my report was not accepted. I feel that this side effect is more common than reported? Trying to come off them but having some very uncomfortable nights
  • anne1202
    anne1202

    Edited

    I've also experienced hair loss having used omeprazole. So too has my mother and a friend of mine. I got my doctor to prescribe an alternative and my hair has started growing back!
    • mfalvarez
      mfalvarez anne1202

      Posted

      Hello Anne, what was the alternative your doctor prescribed? I am having the same problem and I am terrified...
    • maisie05
      maisie05 mfalvarez

      Edited

      It is distressing when we lose our hair. What is the reason you are taking Omeprazole, this may be more important? If it's a chronic condition then consult your doctor. 

      Omeprazole inhibits the absorption of iron and as I was anaemic it made me worse. Anaemia causes hair loss. 

      If you feel you can, then cut down slowly taking one on alternate days then every two days. See how you feel. You may be able to manage with over the counter remedies. 

      That is what I have done. 

      Then I have improved my hair with a silica supplement and biotin supplement. And my iron levels have improved. Take with food to avoid upsetting your stomach. It will take about 3 months to see an improvement. 

      Hope this helps a little 

       

    • susan21625
      susan21625 anne1202

      Posted

      Hi Susan, so good to hear that your hair started to grow back after changing your proton pump inhibitor. I, too have the same problem with the hair loss and I am wondering if you would share the name of the drug that helped your hair regrow?

      With Kind Regards 

      Susan Brooks

  • Raymonnd
    Raymonnd

    Posted

    Hello,

    My girlfriend is taking a number of drugs including Omeprazole and warfarin, and her hair has thinned considerably in the last year or two. She like to know of alternatives.

    I see that anne1202 has had success with a change. Could anne1202 please let me know what was the alternative to Omeprazole that she used.

    Regards,

    Ray

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