I'm losing hair on the top of my head and the only thing I can attribute it to is a change in my blood pressure meds. Last fall my doctor changed me from Diovan HCT to Losartan 100mg. Has anyone else experienced this side effect?
Has anyone experienced hair loss when taking Losartan?
Question posted by pchris on 15 Feb 2012
Last updated on 21 March 2025 (7 weeks ago) by Suzi3955
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
103 Answers Page 5
Suzi3955
29 Oct 2018
I began losing an alarming amount of hair about 1 1/2 years ago when I was put on HBP med. First it was lisinopril so I read it could cause hair loss and went off it. I didn’t take any HBP med for about 3-4 mos afterwards but I kept losing hair. I’d like to make a point now to say that my hair texture has also changed. I used to have a thick head of hair. It was lustrous and soft. I have always used professional hair products. Not Suave or White Rain! My hair was very important to me! It still is and every time I watch all the pieces of hair fall out on the floor or counter top or go down my shower drain, I cringe! I was put on Losartan Potassium about 6-7 months ago. I read that it was unlikely to cause hair loss. But I’m still losing lots of hair. I’m a 63 year old female and my hair loss isn’t hereditary as far as I know.
My 88 year old mom still has a thick head of beautiful white hair! I’m going to throw something else out there as a possible cause of hair loss. I have learned about this from researching “hair loss” online and it definitely could apply to my own hair loss issues. I’ve read on several websites including WedMD.com that NSAIDS cause hair loss! After being totally honest with myself, I can admit that I’m a chronic abuser of NSAIDS like ibuprofen and aspirin! I use them more often than I probably should and I have taken more than the recommended dose often! Currently, I am really trying NOT to take ANY NSAIDs. Know how hard that is? All of us have pain issues from time to time, right? Headaches. Back aches. Sore muscles from exercising. But I’m really trying to avoid using any. I’m still taking my 50 mg once a day Losartan Potassium. (Cozaar is a brand name) From all I read on here, though, Losartan also causes hair loss! So perhaps it’s not as unusual as my doctor thinks it is or as what I’ve read about it! I’m willing to bet the ENTIRE LOT of HBP medication causes HAIR LOSS! My HBP isn’t real bad or real high, I guess is a better way to say it. But it’s high, nonetheless! I wish I could seriously COMMIT to exercising at least 3 days a week so that maybe, just maybe, I won’t NEED HBP meds! Perhaps I can control it through exercise and losing 10-15 pounds! Easier said than done. But at least, hopefully, I’d still have a thick nice head of hair! Anybody have anything to add on these comments?? I’d appreciate any and all input!
Sbm4424
28 Oct 2018
I started taking Losartan 25mg a year ago. I noticed my hair shedding more than usual. When I got my hair cut my stylist mentioned it (3 months in) we decided it was probably due to change in seasons. It has gotten worse, the other day a chunk came out in shower. It looked like a mini pony tail. It is mostly on the top front part of my head. I have a visible bald spot! After reading all the comments will stop taking ASAP! Thank you all!!
BlackDragonfly
25 June 2018
I started losartan 25 mg. about 2 weeks ago. I feel ok and My blood pressure is good. My hair is falling out in shower a lot (scary). I take all kinds of beauty vitamins. I saw this question while googling. I don't have an answer. I will ask my Dr. Sorry if this wasn't helpful.
sadiedog52
1 June 2018
Yes I have or rather am. I though it was the Mirena IUD had it removed, after 2 months hair is still falling out. Got off the losartan yesterday. I'm posting today so I can add my regrowth(hopefully) story to those I saw here. These posts gave me answers and hope,thank you.
yes less than 1% is BS. I started Losartan in October and by November saw slight changes to my hair. Texture mainly and starting seeing fly away hair on the top over the next couple of months. then it started shedding in clumps. When I was sure it was definitely thinning I went looking for answers. wish I'd seen this post two months ago.
BTW I still would have had the Mirena IUD removed, lots of side effects there reported that the drug manufacturer don't mention. So glad we have forums were we can report this kind of thing and help each other.
Needhelp7777
2 June 2018
Which medicine have you started instead of Losartan?? My GP offered to replace Losartan with ramipril, but I read that even that causes hair loss. I don’t know what to do now.
Needhelp7777
2 June 2018
Also what was your dosage of Losartan? I take 50mg so want to know which medicine will replace it which won’t cause hair loss. My GP simply refused to accept that Losartan is causing the hair loss.
primeunagan
21 May 2018
Yes I experience hair loss after taking losartan at first 50mg I already noticed that my hair is thinning then my doctor increase the dosage now became more worst. Is there any other help you can provide to me.
Needhelp7777
15 May 2018
To all those who stopped Losartan and have started experiencing hair growth, can you please tell what alternative tablets are you taking? Will really appreciate your response.
Attorney2017
15 May 2018
I lost my hair with Losartan. It took me months to realize that it was the Losartan. I am now on Valsartan and so far hair is growing back. I hope everyone reports the hair loss to the FDA because thar 1% number they give is based on what was reported by the drug company when they sought approval. Nobody in the USA keeps track of the side efffects of drugs!
Needhelp7777
16 May 2018
Thanks a lot for your response. I’ll ask my GP to prescribe me this medicine. Are you taking any other supplements for hair growth?
Losartan is definitely causing tremendous hair loss.Even I’m going to report it.
Thanks again..
Needhelp7777
16 May 2018
Are you experiencing any hair loss after you started the new medicine?
Attorney2017
16 May 2018
No new hair loss and no supplements. I wore a head covering all winter, but the top is filling in now. It is now about 2 inches on the top and back.
Needhelp7777
18 May 2018
Thanks a lot for your response... really appreciate... Glad to know that your hair is growing back and you aren’t facing any hair loss... Good luck!
moniqui37
6 May 2018
I am sooooo happy to have read this post because I am suffering greatly from extreme hair loss and it is humiliating to say the least. I was on Amlodipine and in 2014 experienced side effects such as swelling feet, fingers and hands and lips. I was switched to another beta blocker and had similar results occurred; so I was switched to losartan(Cozaar) in the latter part of 2015; which works wonders for my bp. Needless to say, I noticed after a few months that my hair started thinning in the top of my head which I first attributed to my age, but then as it began to break off I inquired of my doctor if it was my meds. Of course she said no as well AS 2 MORE DOCTORS. So, I Googled the side effects of each of all my meds to be sure and I think the trickery comes in when they say, "...
the MOST Common side effects." This would lead one to believe that 'hair loss' which is not listed in this category is not a side effect because it is uncommon. I later noticed that doctors claim that hair loss is an adverse effect..that only affects 1% of losartan users.
Well I beg to differ, I had beautiful, curly, thick, shoulder length hair before taking this drug and now I am ashamed to go out in public. My hair is a different texture and I had been telling my family that it seemed to be coming out whenever I washed my hair which they thought was ludicrous because I had been washing my hair all my life and it was growing. I am devastated because to me my hair is my crown and I also need bp meds to survive. I even went to a dermatologist who adamantly denied that medication was the cause of my hair loss, but says my follicles are healthy. But my scalp has been severely itchy and raw for the past 3 months of which he could not explain. He gave me an ointment for my scalp and a shampoo it worked for a month.
Then, I ran out of the shampoo and washed my hair with my regular shampoo and all my hair in the back that I regrew broke off worse than before. I have tried everything so my friend who is a licensed Cosmetologist insisted that it had to be my meds; I told her the doctors have claimed that hair loss in NOT a side effect. Then, I said to myself let me search with the phrase; "Does losartan cause hair loss?" and waalah... I found this post; before I had just researched "What are the side-effects of losartan." I am here to tell you that I am sorely displeased and angry as hell because 1% of hair loss to me equals something that is too much of my beautiful hair being lost. I called my cardiologist office last night and today is the first day that I have ventured off of this horrible nightmarish drug. I am also going to check with them about Atorvastatin because I also so where some ladies were losing hair with that too and thus I have a double conundrum on my hands, but by God I will have justice.
For you ladies looking to regrow your hair a U.K., M.D. recommended that women stop the drugs and request a new statin drug and bp med and in my case both and use the Hair Supplement Florisene for a few months. This is only after consulting with a doctor that you can tolerate taking the iron supplement three times a day along with your present medicine regiment. Let's ban together and report this to th FDA before another woman is in our shoes and loses her right to make the mane choice... Mo
Attorney2017
6 May 2018
I have been off this drug now since October and my hair is finally growing back. I had gone almost totally bald on the top of my head. Male pattern baldness and I am a woman who had beautiful and thick hair. It is Bs that this drug causes hair loss in 1% of patients. That number is derived from the original study that was done by the Drug company. This horrible side effect needs to be reported, because you can bet the doctors are not reporting it and nobody is keeping track of the damage. I have had a tough time feeling social as a woman with no hair on the top of my head! Now it is growing again. If you are losing your hair, don’t wait like I did. i changed doctors when mine would not listen. No, it is no coinicdence!
kgabb
7 May 2018
I was so relieved to come across this post today. I am a female and have been on this medication for 44 days and my hair is thinning drastically and fast. I am not taking another one of these and just hope I don't lose anymore. So far, I don't need to wear a wig but I do have to place hair strategically to cover bare spots.
Needhelp7777
15 May 2018
Which medicine did you start taking instead of Losartan?? Please let me know so I can ask my GP to subscribe me the same.
Venotte
3 April 2018
I have bald spots at the top of my head also due to this medication since it's the only thing I am taking right now.
Attorney2017
3 April 2018
Please report this side effect to the fda so others won’t end up bald. I waited too long and it is going to take a long time to grow my hair back. I am a woman and it has been traumatic.
Nosignin
19 March 2018
Yes, my hair is falling out at an alarming rate. After reading the comments, I believe I know why. I will contact the FDA
karenh45324
22 Feb 2018
I have been experiencing hair and am taking losartan. I used to have really thick hair and now the top is very thin and I have a couple bald spots, one is about nickel and the other is quarter size. Has anyone been able to regrow hair after stopping the losartan?
Attorney2017
22 Feb 2018
Yea, two weeks after stopping Losartan, my hair started growing back, but it was so bald on top that it is going to take a long time to catch up. This is not a listed common side effect so the doctor did not believe me. I found a new doctor!
Magoomus
22 Feb 2018
Yes! I stopped taking it and after a few months... slowly (very slowly)... I think my hair is coming back in. I first noticed that it wasn't falling out as drastically as it was... and now I think there's a bit of regrowth. Not much so far but anything in that direction is better than nothing. Good luck!
Needhelp7777
14 May 2018
Hi everyone!
I’m so glad I came across this post, I was going mad trying to figure out why in the world I was loosing my hair at such a rapid pace. I’ve been on Losartan for a year now.
Glad to see that people who stopped the medication are seeing positive results. Can anyone please post what ALTERNATIVE medicine did the doctor prescribe instead of Losartan?
Your response would be highly appreciated and helpful. Thanks in advance.
Cmarx
5 Feb 2018
My Physician switched me to Losartan 100 mg several months ago. I haven’t had my hair cut in over 8 months and couldn’t figure out why my hair was thinning and breaking off. I want to control my blood pressure but, as a female, I would also like to have my hair. I’m going to stop taking the drug after reading these alarming comments about it. I’m also going to notify the FDA to have them add my complaint to this drug side effect.
Fredaboyd47
20 Jan 2018
I am so mad my hair fell out now what I suppose to do about it
Attorney2017
20 Jan 2018
Two weeks after I stopped this evil pill, my hair started growing back in. It is slow, and still looks odd, but so glad to be off it! I waited too long, thinking it would stop. There are lots of better choices to control BP. The FDA needs to be notified of this. I donkt think it is as rare as they say.
Molly53
5 May 2018
What did you switch to?
Daddy27
14 Aug 2018
Attorney 17. I read your comments, but you never said what medication you switched that caused a turnaround in your hair loss.
TJJM
10 Jan 2018
Welcome to the "minority" affected by losartan-related hair loss. To us, the minority, this is real, as we are 100% affected. I decided to 'live with it,' as I had difficulty controlling very high BP. I rationalized that controlled BP ranked higher than cosmetics. Good luck.
Attorney2017
10 Jan 2018
I don’t believe the 1% number at all. Not even close. How many here reported it to the FDA? Exactly... not many. The 1% comes from the original study that was used when they were seeking FDA approval and the study was paid for by the manufacturer. I urge all to report Side effects like this to the FDA to spare others the pain. For a woman being completely bald on the entire top of your head is a lot more than cosmetic, it is life altering. I wish I could post a picture here, because it is shocking.
Perk5693
23 Sep 2018
I have been on Losartan potassium for 13 months. My hair has fallen out on the top of my head. It's horrible I used to have thick hair now it thin and the HBP did this. I never took prescription drugs in my life. So, I dropped weight and now 2 weeks off medicine. Does anyone know if my hair will fill back in? I will report this to the FDA. I am apart of the 1%.
Rita Jenkins
10 Jan 2018
Yes, was taken off a BP medicine and put on Losartan. I have had some memory problems and weight gain and Hair Loss is unbelievable. My skin is dry, and also have headaches..Had thick hair until now.. It is so Thin. My husband was even concerned when my hair started falling into my food and saw the bathtub was loaded with my hair. No telling how much went down the drain. It falls down on my face and constantly wiping hair off my clothes. I have been on this medication for Two Months taking Losartan 50mg in morning and 50mg at night. NO MORE.. going off it..
Attorney2017
10 Jan 2018
I went completely bald on the top and my doctor refused to believe it was Losartan because it is unreported. Found another doctor and two weeks later, my hair started growing back. I am female and had thick beautiful hair. It will take about a year for me to regrow my hair according to hairdresser. Report this drug to the FDA! I know 2 other people this happened ro. Nightmare drug.
Nicky7231
10 Feb 2018
I experience the same symptoms and never related it to the medication until now.. FDA need to be informed if the side effect being experienced due to the use of this medication
LADEMO52
4 Jan 2018
Oh, yes!! I was prescribed Losartan 12.5mg 12/06/2017 because on 12/22/2017 I was scheduled for surgery and my BP was a bit high. Everything went well. About a week later noticed I noticed a significant loss of hair on the top of my head. My hair is also a little thinned out too. Thank God I don't have to take them anymore!
Attorney2017
4 Jan 2018
My hair aropped falling out about a week after I stopped the Losartan. I was almost totally bald on the top of my head by then. It has started to grwo back. Now way it is just 1%! That 1% came from the study they did prior to the drug being approved, not an accurate measurement now that it is used in the general population. I know others who have lost their hair on Losartan,
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