I'm 61, aside from a little arthritis I am fit & healthy. Taking 40mg of Pravastatin (switched from Simvistatin about 4 months ago due to Pravastatin's lower cost). Last few months I have become increasingly upset about what seems to be significant hair thinning. I never had thick hair, but I don't think I'm imagining a very noticeable thinning; more hair in the sink, less on my head, especially around the front top. My only other Rx is a weekly (generic) Fosomax which I've taken for many years. I know hair loss is a rare but occasionally reported side effect with some statins. I didn't seem to suffer this under the previous statin; could the Pravastatin be the cause?
Pravastatin & Hair loss?
- Posted:
- 4 Oct 2010 by ladyrunner
- Topics:
- alopecia, pravastatin
Details:
Added 15 Apr 2012:
I wanted to add that 2 months ago (I am now nearing age 63) I went off my statin drug, with my doctor's OK. I will need to get a blood test in May to check my cholesterol, but he agreed that I don't have a lot of other risk factors (e.g., normal blood pressure, no family history of strokes, etc.) and that evolving medical opinion involves being a little less inclined to put everyone on statins as soon as their number hits a certain level. I won't know for another month how much my numbers have increased; I am certainly hoping I'm not immediately back in a danger zone, and will re-post at that time.
Meanwhile, I want to share that I have started adding a supplement of Chia Seeds (yes, like used on the old Chia Pet!) to my diet. Available in Whole Foods in bags of about 8 ounces, they cost about $6.00-$10.00 depending on sale prices.
I add 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons to my daily yogurt or apple sauce (they look like poppy seeds and are absolutely tasteless, just adding a little crunch). There is some anecdotal evidence that they are a help in controlling cholesterol, and I have a freind who is not able to take any of the statins due to severe reactions. Two months after starting with chia seeds, her doctor was amazed that she had shaved 20 points off her cholesterol.
As for my hair issue, it is too soon to see if I have any noticeable regrowth; it may never happen, or I may be entering a phase where my age and/or my DNA (mom had thin hair) may be working against me permanently.
At the very least, I hope to arrest further statin-related hair loss, if in fact the Prevasatin was the major cause.
Stay tuned...
Added 15 Apr 2012:
I wanted to update that 2 months ago (I am now nearing age 63) I went off my statin drug, with my doctor's OK. I will need to get a blood test in May to check my cholesterol, but he agreed that I don't have a lot of other risk factors (e.g., I have normal blood pressure, no family history of strokes, etc.) and that evolving medical opinion stresses not rushing to put everyone on statins as soon as their number hits a certain level. I won't know for another month how much my numbers have increased; I am certainly hoping I'm not immediately back in a danger zone, and will re-post at that time.
Meanwhile, I want to share that I have started adding a supplement of Chia Seeds (yes, like used on the old Chia Pet!) to my diet. Available in Whole Foods in bags of about 8 ounces, they cost about $6.00-$10.00 depending on sale prices.
I add 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons to my daily yogurt or apple sauce (they look like poppy seeds and are absolutely tasteless, just add a little crunch). There is a fair amount of anecdotal evidence that they are a help in controlling cholesterol, and I have a friend who is not able to take any of the statins due to severe reactions. Two months after starting with chia seeds, her doctor was amazed that she had shaved 20 points off her cholesterol.
As for my hair issue, it is too soon to see if I have any noticeable regrowth; it may never happen, or I may be entering a phase where my age and/or my DNA (mom had thin hair) may be working against me permanently.
At the very least, I hope to arrest further statin-related hair loss, if in fact the Prevasatin was the major cause.
Stay tuned...
Answers (2)
masso4169
Lonestarl...26 Dec 2010
I just wanted to say that I too am experiencing significant hair loss and wonder if my daily dose of 80 mg of Pravastatin is the cause. I have no family history of hair loss and I used to have really thick hair. Now I notice that a lot of hair comes out when I shampoo or brush it. I am also losing mine around my center part and close to my forehead. It is becoming more noticeable all the time. I'll make a doctors appointment and I think I'll stop taking the Pravastatin for a while too.
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