... and thinner. Blood test show no problems. No heredity of loss in family. No stress except for worried about my hair. I'm 63 yrs old, but all women in my family had a full set of hair. Only thing to think about is this drug I'm taking. Please let me know if this drug could be my problem.
Does Nexium cause hair loss? I have been taking it off and on for 2yrs. my hair is getting thinner?
Question posted by Hyrum on 11 May 2011
Last updated on 14 January 2020
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.
7 Answers
Susan 70
14 Jan 2020
I have been on Nexium since Oct of 2000. First I was taking it due to severe heartburn from a oral chemo medication, and now I am still on it for my GERD. It has never caused any thin hair or loss of hair. I still take it everyday.
ascholz
14 Jan 2020
I have been on Omeprazole for the last year and a half. I have always had such a thick curly head of long hair that people would regularly stop me to complement me on it. I noticed a change in my hair shortly after I started using Omeprazole. Both of my parents had incredibly thick hair into their 80's and 90's, so I knew there was something wrong. The only two changes that had happened in that time frame were to go on a high dosage of progesterone (to treat another issue) and I started taking Omeprazole because I had an esophageal ulcer. I had to go on progesterone in my 30s and a similar thing happened, but I quickly healed after stopping the progesterone. I have stopped it this time, and my hair has not improved. I discovered I've been dealing with this double whammy of progesterone and Omeprazole, and my hair loss is extensive. I did some research and saw that two of the long list of side effects of this drug are hair loss as well as poor absorption of magnesium.
I also noticed when I take a good dose of magnesium powder, my hair perks up for a day. It took a while to make the connection, but I finally did. If I skip magnesium, my hair looks worse. I also researched the connection between magnesium and hair loss, and there is a clear and documented connection between low magnesium and hair loss. Since other side effects of acid blockers such as Omeprazole include poor absorption of nutrients, including magnesium, it's all connected. My next steps are to get off Omeprazole and find natural ways to get rid of my acid reflux, and I've ordered magnesium oil to apply to my scalp to get the healing process started. I will report my results after I try these things. It's completely unacceptable to me that doctors don't warn their patients of the horrible side effects that some of these pharmaceuticals can have. I feel like a guinea pig for the pharmaceutical companies, and frankly, that's what we are. Since FDA salaries are actually funded by the lobbyists for the companies they are supposed to protect us against, when I see that something is FDA approved, it means absolutely nothing to me.
Saranyasabapathy
10 Nov 2019
I was prscribed Nexium 4mg. After a month, my hair started falling out in bunches. I had very good hair but i my started getting thinner and i started to see my scalp. There was hair all over he floor. I asked couple of doctors if it could be the Nexium that's causing it but they all denied saying that it's completely safe to take even in pregnancy. They prescribed heaps of multivitamins but nothing helped. I decided to stop taking the nexium cus it was the only medication I was taking. The GERD rebound and I had some difficulties but I strictly stayed away from Nexium. Chewing on fennel and cumin water helped a lil bit. I noticed no change in the first 2 weeks. but after 2 weeks I saw slight improvement in the hairfall. After a month I started seeing changes. My hair is still falling but about 70% less than when i was taking nexium. Hoping to get back to my previous state soon.
Success87
18 Nov 2015
I had the same issue with Nexium. My hair started thinning... I stop talking it and my hair started to grow, started back on the "Purple Pill" seeing hair loss again.
mlblack61
18 Dec 2015
I have been watching my hair fall out for the past six months. I have been struggling to figure this out. I am a 54 year old white male without male pattern ballness. I began to look at my meds and research one by one. Nexium could be the culprit. I checked with my physician and he agreed that it could be. I have stopped taking the drug immediately. I will keep you posted on my progress. It is now December 18th, 2015.
Revansca51
30 March 2016
The past few weeks I have started experiencing significant hair loss and began to wonder about Nexium as the culprit! I'm so glad I found your comments. My nurse practitioner wants me off of it anyway and suggested Betain HCL with pepsin. I haven't substituted it yet. I will most definitely stop the Nexium altogether.
Rob
nsusheel
28 July 2017
I have been using Nexium, Panteprazol alternating from 5 years now.
My hair got so thin that i was thinking to do a hair transplant. My hair is important for me.
So many time i narrowed down the problem to these two drugs and then I stopped for few days. I had to take them back as my acid reflux was extremely painful.
Since last month, I was dedicated to change my food habits, eating mostly steamed food , no spices and i have been off these meds since a month. You will not believe the results. Previously there used to be my hair everywhere in my house , sink and shower. Also on the desk where I work. Now Even if I pull hard, the hair is not coming off. People started noticing that my hair is coming back. Just in a month.
I am 100% sure that these drugs cause hair loss and nail/skin problems. Get off them and focus more on just eating steamed food for few months. Get some anti acid (simple chewable) alkaline tablets to neutralize the acids in stomach if you are in severe pain.
nsusheel
28 July 2017
I have been using Nexium, Panteprazol alternating from 5 years now.
My hair got so thin that i was thinking to do a hair transplant. My hair is important for me.
So many time i narrowed down the problem to these two drugs and then I stopped for few days. I had to take them back as my acid reflux was extremely painful.
Since last month, I was dedicated to change my food habits, eating mostly steamed food , no spices and i have been off these meds since a month. You will not believe the results. Previously there used to be my hair everywhere in my house , sink and shower. Also on the desk where I work. Now Even if I pull hard, the hair is not coming off. People started noticing that my hair is coming back. Just in a month.
I am 100% sure that these drugs cause hair loss and nail/skin problems. Get off them and focus more on just eating steamed food for few months. Get some anti acid (simple chewable) alkaline tablets to neutralize the acids in stomach if you are in severe pain.
JoyceCon
7 March 2018
Yes my hair has gotten very thin & just today my heart dr. Was reviewing my meds & said that esomeprazole can cause hair loss & to stop it which I am going to do today
Nettle
26 April 2015
Thank you for this post. I had my doubts that the Nexium was the cause of my hair loss. I am on Nexium40mg a day for the past 4 years or more. For the past 3 years I have been loosing my hair. I had very thick, strong hair. It used to take me one and half hour to dry it using a powerful hair dryer. I lost about 75% of my hair so far. My hair line receded by an inch. OH MY GOD, I wish I came across this site earlier. I would have saved my hair, my time and mony going around doctors to investigate a reason for my hair loss. Not only my hair got thinner, but also my skin, I get brused and cut easly. All my blood and thyroid tests results were good. I am off Nexium as of today.
geszibell
11 Dec 2013
well so since my last post, i had to change insurances. the new insurance no longer covered nexium, but instead covered a drug called Dexilant. I was very upset about the change at first, bcse in the past nexium was the only thing that kept the acid under control. HOWEVER, i am SO glad that this happened bcse not only does it work, my hair stopped thinning, and healed. I strongly encourage yall to look into it, and to see if ur insurance covers it.. i will say it doesnt work as quickly persay as nexium, but taking it daily like u should itll pick right back up within a couple days. hope this helps!!
giershift43
19 March 2015
Oh my... I have had thinning hair loss for the last couple of years and began wondering if the nexium could cause it. I need to talk to my doctor. My thought was if it can adversely effect bones, why not hair???
CindyStinger
13 Oct 2015
Thank you for sharing this, geszibell. I have been so distraught over this increase hair loss all over my head. In fact, today I was on line looking for a wig and decided to just wear a hat since the weather is getting cold. I will stop the Nexium today! I will check into getting Dexilant. In the mean time I will use the Zantac over the counter, but first, I better look that one up, too. SMH! I am going to search for something natural, as well. Thank you, thank you, thank you! :)
Susan 70
14 Jan 2020
I was put on Dexilant awhile back, but it gave me such bad diarrhea. I went back on generic nexium esomeprazole. My insurance was paying for the omeprazole, which is Prilosec, but it did not have the magnesium in it like the generic nexium. I take 40mg a day of the esomeprazole. The main thing is to watch what triggers the heartburn and avoid eating those things.
kcemily
16 May 2011
good morning Hyrum... interesting... I have noticed the exact same thing happening to me, along with my nails are in terrible shape which is not normal for me. Today I decided to look at the side effects of Nexium, found nothing about hair loss/thinning but did find your question posted on this web site. Blood test show that I am not deficient in anything... I have been on Nexium for a very long time 10yrs & have notice my hair loss/thinning happening for a long time but increased over the last 4 yrs... I guess it is time to do my own study & got off of Nexium for a while & see just what happens ... I will return to this site to communicate with you if interested... Thanks
cwaves
8 June 2011
Hello., I am also loosing my hair and my nails are in terrible shape too. I notice this happening about 10 month ago, I had try 3 or 4 different drugs , I am taking Nexium now . My daughter found out somewhere in the internet that all these drugs interfere with the production of something call biotin ,which is very important for the health of hair and nails , interesting ! . So.. now I am searching for a way to restore the biotin in my body, I am taking biotin orally and using shampoo that has biotin in it .I also will like to let you know that that these drugs can affect your libido !. I really don't know what to do , if I stop taking nexium I get terrible pain . Please let me know if anybody finds a natural and effective way of taking care of this problem. Thank you
geszibell
8 Sep 2011
hello! I have been taken nexium for at least 4 years now, maybe longer. My mom has always had real thin hair, but i have always had hair like my dad... very thick and curly hair. It has been getting increasingly thinner over the years and comes out every time i take a shower.. to the point of alarming me! I had wanted to stop taking it to see if it would help, but like the person in the other post, i would be in too much constant pain without it. I am only 30 and I don't want to pick between being in pain or having my hair!!! Anything that anyone finds in the way of offsetting this issue would be wonderful! Thank you!
applecider
23 Nov 2011
Apple Cider Vinegar! I swear it works. I was taking nexium and it was causing me to have very bad headaches, my hair was falling out too but I didn't know until today that nexium could have been the problem. Anyway, I have heard many times that Apple Cider Vinegar is the cure for all sorts of ailments. Even taking the Nexium I had the worst acid reflux and indigestion. I took 2 table spoons of apple cider vinegar and within 15 minutes it was all gone. Really it was, I was amazed. Supposedly the vinegar counter acts with the acid or something but it really worked. I also noticed after taking apple cider vinegar for a few days that the muscle and bone stiffness that I had been experiencing for about a month was also gone. I looked that up and sure enough it is all over the net about apple cider vinegar and stiffness and joint pain.
As a child we used to take wishbones from chicken and put it in a glass of apple cider vinegar over night and it would turn to rubber, I guess it would make sense that it might loosen up the joints. I also read that apple cider vinegar is good for hair loss. So for about .89 cents I have replaced about $60.00 worth of medication and the results are much more effective. You should try it and see. Look it up on the web to find out how much to take, how to dilute it, etc. I'll be interested to know how it turns out for you. I am a believer.
cherfan22
17 June 2013
I have been taking nexium for two years now and have had my thyroid re tested this year and have complained about my extreme hair loss . All tests fine I am going off this med immediately because my hair is rolling right off my hands in the shower and combs out in the handfulls each morning. I can see that it has been growing back in between loss but it it definitely this pill GOOD RIDDENS NEXIUM!!! Get back to you in a month with results
ireland1962
10 Dec 2013
Very interesting especially since they just had Nexium and the ingredient for heart burn drugs on the news and its apparent side effects. I have been on nexium for years and my hair is thinner and thinner and my scalp is showing..i have been treating my hair loss and not thinking that it is indeed the nexium. More alarming is my skin has become thinner where if I bang my hand it bleeds and will not stop unless quite a lot of pressure is put on it along with band aids... so very thinning of the skin... also a side effect of this drug... needless to say..i am going off of it and finding an alternative to this ... I want my hair back !
Related topics
nexium, barrett's esophagus, gerd
Further information
- Nexium uses and safety info
- Nexium prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Nexium (detailed)
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