I have been on and off it for years and never put two and two together till recently when started taking it again and two weeks in my hair started falling out just like it did last time but still don't know if it is the amitiza. Has anyone noticed this?
Amitiza - Has anyone noticed there hair falling out?
Question posted by jeannie a on 14 May 2012
Last updated on 16 May 2022 by Linny1518
9 Answers
Linny1518
16 May 2022
Yes! When the Amitiza started working I was so relieved I though I never had to think about my gut again. Around the same time my hair started to feel extremely thin. I hadn't gotten a haircut in about 4yrs but my hair kept knotting. So I got the hair cut thinking it was the split ends. Then in the shower so much hair would come out you can see the difference in the drain. I went back in my mind of what I did differently a few months ago and I realized it was the Amitiza. I read what others had said and I related to all of it. As soon as i stopped taking it my hair started to feel normal and thick again. Nothing else worked for me constipation so I basically had to decide between my body and my hair. I chose my hair and have been trying linzess and it doesn't to anything for me. I even tried going from 24mgs of Amitiza to 8mgs but the same thing happened.
I got so mad and frustrated because my insurance makes it impossible to get these medications otherwise I would tell my dr let's try all of the ones on the market and see what works best only I cannot do that do to the red tape of prior authorization my insurance needs. I am so upset about the hair loss because Amitiza worked like a charm
kdfuller17
20 June 2021
I just started amitiza in April. Since starting it my hair is coming out in handfuls. It is awful. Plus it doesn't really help me as much as I was expecting.
LaurieW
23 Dec 2020
I was on Amitiza from Oct 2019 to March 2020. My hair was falling out. I stopped taking it on March 9th because it made me incredibly sick. I was critically low in potassium and also have neurological problems. I believe this drug completely backfired for me. I ended up having intestinal surgery in May. Nothing could ever make me take this again.
gkriner17
23 Dec 2020
Yes, shortly after starting it (amitiza) I was hospitalized for a week from low blood pressure and having incredible stomach pain. It took 5 days to get me strong enough just to walk. This is great to put answers to my questions. But, now I don't know what to do to keep healthy bowel movements. Thank you for your comments. It literally may have saved me from alot of pain in the future.
gkriner17
23 Dec 2020
I'm male, 38,from PA. I lost a lot of hair since starting Amitiza. It's gotten very thin but also there's a circular patch on top of my head where it fell out completely except for the ends. There's also little bumps all over my scalp. It's hard deciding between having my thick nice hair or having healthy bowel movements. I've only been on this medication for 5 months. Any ideas??
Bambelle37
30 Aug 2019
I’ve been on it for 8 years. My hair was Julia Roberts in pretty woman! It was so thick and long. Now it’s short and so think. I can’t get it grow. It’s thinning out so bad. I need to be on this in order to have bowel movements. So stopping is not an option. But at this point I’m considering stopping. It’s just awful what it has done to my hair. It grows a half inch like 3-4 months but it all breaks off and falls out. Has anyone tried anything else other than amitiza?
Tangosmith
5 Dec 2016
Yes, Jeanne. I was ok on 8 mcgs once a day, but when my doc doubled the dosage (16 mcgs) my hair came out In handfuls the next time I washed it. Very scary. I knew immediately it was from the increase in the dosage and stopped taking it altogether. Just washed my hair for the first time since I quit and I think it's all back to normal. (Can't believe hair loss is not listed as a side effect). I may go back to 8mcgs daily, but not for a while. Good luck to you.
Stacydddd
30 Aug 2016
Yes, I am just realizing that the amatiza is the cause of my hair problems, the bathtub is full of hair after I wash it!
Jillibeanwi
8 March 2015
I was just looking on here to see if anyone was having the hair loss problem with Amitiza as well. It is the only new medication I am on, have not had this problem with the others, so must be this med. Other than that, I do fine on it. So yes, I also am having major hair loss with it.
suzanne66
15 May 2012
Hair loss has not been reported.
For more information see: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/amitiza-side-effects.html
If you think hair loss may be related you can report side effects to the FDA at https://www.fda.gov/safety/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
sweet23
2 July 2012
I a.lso started ta,king amitiza a few months ago, my hair is fa.lling out, ,knotting up terribly, it didnt start doing this ti.ll I started this medication.
moodyblue256
12 Oct 2014
I am experiencing the same hair loss and knotting reported by other users. Have tried discontinuing all other meds I am on but still had the same hair loss until I stopped Amitiza
Related topics
amitiza, constipation - chronic
Further information
- Amitiza uses and safety info
- Amitiza prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Amitiza (detailed)
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