Hair Loss with Promacta (?)

I've been on Promacta since May of 2013. Been on/off steroids March 2011. I completely stopped steroids in May 2014. For the past month or so, I have lost almost half of my hair. Lucky, I had thick hair, so even though I lost lots of hair, I'm not seeing any bald spots yet. I have read online that one of the common side effects of Promacta is temporary hair loss.

From my experience with Promacta, especially when I take Promacta 50mg, I have several side effects (rashes, itching, nausea, stuffy nose...and of course these symptoms get better when I go down to Promacta 25mg.

I was wondering if anyone experience hair loss with Promacta...

Thanks.

Yes my wife has been on Promacta for the past 4-5months with dosages from 50-75 and her hair is falling out at an alarming rate. The Dr. says it's temporary but there hasn't been any sign of it slowing.

Just curious, is she on or was on steroids? When did her hair start falling out? I know most people here on Promacta does not get any side effects. I don't see my hema until next week, I will ask him about this.

Thanks for letting me know. I don't feel so alone. Hope her counts are good on Promacta!

I used Promacta for three years with no effect on my hair.
I have fairly long hair (I'm stuck in 1969).

But, everyone is different.


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Those of you with hair loss should check with your doctors. Steroids can be a cause of hair loss and possibly Promacta, but people with autoimmune disorders can also be prone to alopecias. There are some hair treatments that can help. Sometimes the hair isn't actually falling out; it can break close to the root from being dry and appear to be falling out. Many drug stores carry hair products that can repair the damage.

I had hair loss with steroids and rituxan...it thinned out about 1/4 of my hair. Then my hair grew back pretty thick, but curly (I always had super straight hair). Just currently, for the past month, the hair loss is back, but it just seems much worse. There's hair everywhere! I will ask my hema next week.

Here are some products for hair loss that may be worth trying:

1) Revivogen Biocleansing Shampoo

Revivogen Biocleansing Shampoo deeply cleanses and replenishes irritated scalps with a combination of aloe vera and menthol. To treat thin hair conditions, Revivogen uses anti-DHT action to prevent DHT saturation in the hair follicles and skin of the scalp. Additional proteins and nutrients moisturize hair and create a fuller hair appearance and texture.

Revivogen shampoo's primary ingredients include aloe vera, panthenol, silicone, saw palmetto berry extract, jojoba oil, niacin, soy protein, gamma linolenic acids and zinc.

Does it work? Revivogen hair loss shampoo users have said that regular use of Revivogen has decreased their hair loss while brushing and showering. This biocleansing shampoo also effectively cleanses the scalp and removes buildup. Revivogen's anti-DHT ingredients, like saw palmetto, prevent DHT from easily binding to sensitive hair follicles, which can help both type 1 and type 2 hair loss. Revivogen also uses aloe vera and menthol to soothe irritated scalps, and to help clear away dandruff.

2) Nioxin System 3

Nioxin is a popular brand of hair loss and hair care products. Nioxin currently has 8 different hair treatment systems, specifically formulated for different hair types and hair issues. The Nioxin System 3 targets hair loss patients with fine, thinning or chemically enhanced hair, and the treatment package typically includes the shampoo cleanser, a scalp therapy conditioner, and a leave-in scalp treatment. The Nioxin System 3 Cleanser is designed to remove hair buildup and residue, while targeting DHT at the hair follicles and using amino acids to strengthen and nourish thin hair.

Nioxin System 3's primary ingredients include hydrolyzed keratin, panthenol, biotin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, niacin, rosemary, superoxide dismutase, fennel seed and wheat protein.

Does it work? Nioxin's hair loss systems have helped many consumers enjoy a thicker, cleaner head of hair. Again, hair regrowth is not promised or achieved with this hair loss shampoo, but Nioxin has improved the overall hair health and quality of most consumers. Nioxin's ingredients provide strong antioxidant protection, moisturizing properties, and will effectively remove buildup so hair follicles won't be clogged or blocked.

3) Dermenodex Scalp Cleansing Shampoo

Dermenodex is a DHT-fighting hair loss shampoo that the company terms a "complete scalp wellness product". Dermenodex is recommended for all hair types, and is reported to moisturize hair, deeply clean the scalp, promote scalp circulation, and nourish the hair follicles. Dermenodex's formula also includes adenosine, which can stimulate follicle growth.

Dermenodex Shampoo's primary ingredients include panthenol, adenosine, soy protein, glycol and hydrolyzed RNA. The primary effectiveness of Dermenodex is in its ability to fight against DHT before it binds to and weakens hair.

Does it work? Many Dermenodex patients find that their hair is healthier and stronger after using this product. As adenosine improves hair follicle growth, other ingredients moisturize and cleanse the scalp, nourish weakened hair, and create an overall healthier feel and appearance. A few patients who used Dermenodex reported some shedding.

4) Phyto PhytoCyane Revitalizing Shampoo

Phyto is a hair care company that was founded by Patrick Alès, who at one time was a leading hair stylist in Paris; he even cared for the famous 'dos of Catherine Deneuvre and Jackie Kennedy. Phyto products like PhytoCyane Revitalizing Shampoo are especially formulated to treat hair loss conditions in women, which can have different causal factors compared to hair loss in men. PhytoCyane Revitalizing Shampoo uses ginkgo biloba, grape seed extracts, and surfactants to help wash away oils and impurities more easily.

PhytoCyane's primary ingredients include panthenol, ginkgo biloba, vitamin B6, grape seed extract, and citric acid.

Does it work? PhytoCyane, like the other Phyto products, mainly uses plant-derived, natural ingredients in its shampoo, to prevent overusage of chemical additives. Many consumers say that in addition to a reduced amount of hair loss throughout the day, PhytoCyane makes hair feel thicker and improves shine.

5) HairGenesis™ Revitalizing, Cleansing and Thickening Shampoo

HairGenesis has an entire line of hair care products, but the Revitalizing, Cleansing and Thickening Shampoo is chock full of natural herbs and vitamins that enrich the hair. HairGenesis Revitalizing Shampoo also uses anti-DHT properties to reduce the amount of DHT present in both the scalp and the hair follicles.

HairGenesis Revitalizing Cleansing and Thickening Shampoo's primary ingredients include saw palmetto berry extract, green tea extract, borage oil, biotin, citric acid, and evening primrose oil.

Does it work? HairGenesis' Revitalizing Shampoo is reported to help benefit hair loss patients in the early stages of thinning and reduced growth. HairGenesis uses saw palmetto berry extract to fight DHT in the scalp and hair follicles. The presence of borage oil and evening primrose oil are excellent sources of Omega 6's. These supplements serve as anti-inflammatories and a good source of nutrients for the hair. On average, HairGenesis users reported that the Revitalizing hair loss shampoo was a good cleanser, it helped minimize the appearance of thinning hair, and it didn't create buildup at the hair follicles.

*This list was created based on comparisons of online consumer product reviews and the informed opinions of HairLossSpecialists' representatives.

Thanks Sandi, I'm going to try one of them!

I bought and tried one of them years ago when I had a lot of hair breakage due to medications. I don't remember which one it was though. I bought it after going to a hair salon and being insulted by a hair dresser. She told me that my hair was in horrible shape and she said that she can always tell when people have poor eating habits by the way their hair looks. I was so shocked by her words that I just sat there are stewed over it. I should have told her the truth but I was trying not to cry so I kept quiet. People can be so thoughtless.

I never went back to that place even though I had been going for years.

I'm glad my hair dresser knows all the meds I take. About 2 years ago, she cutted my hair into a cute bob. Now, I have hair to the middle of my back! She was really impressed on how fast my hair was growing and how thick it got. I normally get a trim every 3 months. I think I will cut it short again I'm not going to lie. I will be upset cutting it off.

Freaking meds!

Try the shampoo before you get it cut. It might help.

I don't generally tell people about my health issues and medications. I'm pretty private about it. Just one of my quirks.

Slammed,

Yeah Annie was on Pred. rituxin, etc etc for a couple of months ending w/ a 80mg dose that was doing her very little good if any. Her Dr. put her on a taper that was pretty aggressive, too aggressive IMHO, but she got thru it. She's still not quite "right" with fatigue being the lasting side effect but that seems to be getting better.

She did notice some slight hair loss from that but when she started on the 50mg of Prom. a couple of weeks later is when the hair loss really began. 2 months at 50mg wasn't netting enough Pl. so she was moved up to 75mg and her numbers have improved but haven't stabilized in any sort of discernible pattern for example I think the last few weeks have been 84,42,38,108 we'll see what they are tomorrow.

According to the Hemo "temporary" hair loss is one of the possible side affects and that it should slow down, I certainly hope so. My wife is an absolute trooper but the hair loss is weighing on her emotionally.

Jason

Jason:

It could still be Prednisone that is causing the hair loss. A lot of side effects occur after you stop the drug because the body goes through a bit of a shock when it doesn't have the high doses of cortisol any more, especially after a high dose, fast taper (why do they do that to people?). The adrenals have to start back up and it knocks hormones out of whack. It can take weeks or months to fully recover.

The whole endocrine system can be impacted by the pred. Hair loss can be one of the thyroid symptoms also. Many of us here also have thyroid autoimmune issues, if they haven't tested it in a while, it might be worth asking for one. I've been on 25 mg of Promacta for nearly a year and haven't noticed any side effects, but each of us is different.

I've been on Promacta 75mg and pred most of the year. My hair is falling out like crazy and I know long term pred use can cause it. Counts this week 14k.

Amber,

I think you your case, it's really hard to say that it's Promacta that is causing the hair loss. You went through a lot of treatments.

It's times like this that I wished I was a guy! I would have no issues shaving off my hair!

Hang in there.

Eevn my wife taking Promacta 25mg for last 1 year. Initially she had hair fall but noe better. Baded on our experiance hair fall is better than compared to painful medications before promacta.

if Hair loss continue you could try NEEM extract

Thank Urchallas. I've been taking Promacta with various dosages, 12.5, 25, and 50mg for almost 1.5 years now. My hair just started falling out in huge amounts last month. Sometimes, it's really alarming on how much hair I see falling out. Almost make me have a panic attack.

OK. As I mentioned you could try NEEM extract

Regarding Neem Extract....From WebMD:

“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions:
Neem might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases.
If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using neem.

[url] www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-577-neem.aspx?activeingredientid=577&activeingredientname=neem [/url]

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I have shaved my head twice now, going to see my mother-in-law tomorrow. She does hair and going to see what she has to say. I could really careless right now if it does fall out, I just don't want my Chihuahuas to have issues. They eat my hair by accident and then have trouble pooping it out... Twice this week so far... Mother-in-law said my need to thin it out and trim it down some. I really wanted to grow it out, it was a year in August the last time I shaved it. It is just hair would love to shave it again but this time my face is so round from the pred, short hair would make my face look bigger....

uchallas,

How does your wife use neem? Does she use it as a shampoo or rub it onto her scalp?

I don't want to take it orally since I found out I'm sensitive to all kinds of things. And when I see the warning from several sites and what weirdjack posted, I will not be taking my chances upseting/stirring up my immune system.

Good catch Jack! Pays to research before you buy....

Got 4 inches cut off today glad I can still put it up and get it off my neck.

Do not take internally and apply only externally to sculp

I have had problems with hair loss since I started using Promacta in April of 2014. I alternate between 50-75mg every other day. I haven't been on any type of steroids since March of 2012 so I know it is the Promacta that is causing my hair loss. My hair was thick and healthy before I started and it is now very thin and dry. My platelet count is up and the hair loss seems to be my only side effect so I can't do much complaining. I am just hoping it will slow down eventually because I am starting to see bald spots near my hairline.

I'm all over the place with Promacta since starting it in May of 2013. My last go with steriods was in April of 2014. Usually, it's 25mg or 50mg or alternating 25mg-50mg, one one time, I was on 12.5 for about 7 months. However, the last month was the longest that I was on 50mg...that's when the hair loss started. My counts rebounded and now I'm back to 25mg for a week now. I "think" I have less hair loss. However, I'm starting to see my scalp at the hairline. Like you, I used to have very thick hair...so no one has notice it. But, I noticed how thin my hair is getting and so has my husband. I asked my hema about this...and he hasn't had anyone losing hair while on Promacta. However, it doesn't help that including me, he only has another patient on Promacta. He asked me if I googled it...sighs...and I told him, "of course". Like you, Promacta is working for me too, damn the side effects!

Just curious, are you using any special shampoos?

I spend a lot of time on google so I decided to try a combination of castor oil and 4-5 drops of lavender essential oil on my scalp about three nights a week. It may have slowed down the amount of hair falling out a tiny bit, it's hard to tell because there is still a lot coming out. I really do have a lot of new hair growing in since I have been doing it but I was hoping to find something that will just stop the hair loss because there is always more falling out then growing in No luck yet.

Just an update..I am back to taking Promacta 25mg again for almost 2 months now. I notice that my hair is not falling out as much. I have had 2 crashes so far since being back on Promacta 25mg. My hema wanted me to increase it back to 50mg, which I have rejected...and the following week, my counts bounced back up. I think it's all the stress of the holidays and having the kids home with me and trying to work at the same time.

Meliss, I hope your hair loss is slowing down. I started giving myself head/scalp massages. I read that it helps the blood flow better there and helps hair loss, and promote hair growth. I am now starting to see baby hairs...so happy to see them!