Since starting Lisinopril about 6 months, I have been constantly loosing hair in the shower and while brushing my dry. It is also very dry.
Has anyone had hair loss while taking Lisinopril?
Question posted by Hazel Louise on 1 Oct 2009
Last updated on 12 February 2025
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.
29 Answers Page 2
Dollkeeper
7 June 2019
This drug Lisinopril took my hair out less than 6 months it took me 10 years to grow my hair it was almost next to my tail bone I cried like a baby in it now trying to grow back it has been over a year am afraid my hair will not be the same it is still very short and the ends are so terrible someone has to do something about this medication I wish there was an Law suit available to sue the company for people going threw this you have to worry about High blood pressure than your hair lost this is crazy I went threw very bad Depression after my hair lost
kathymobile
5 Sep 2019
You don't have to take Lisinopril. There are other things on the market. My pharmacist said hair loss is a side effect of that drug but that not all side effects are on the label. Go to the window and ask to talk to the Pharmacist.
Chipsralston
7 Nov 2018
Thanks to all for your postings about your experience with taking Lisinopril. I've experienced the same thing, with breakage, and losing handfuls of hair on a daily basis. I was writing it off to my thyroid being out of range on the low side. Another annoying feature of Lisinopril is the cough, which never comes at a good time. I will be asking my doctor to change my med, but let's face it, all drugs come with side-effects. Thing is, which is defeating, is that my primary doesn't feel it's anything to have these side effects. I think he's tired of my complaints, and just feels that coughing, and going bald, is no big deal..
Chipsralston
14 Aug 2019
I posted my experience with Lisinopril awhile ago. which was nearly the same as all the other postings/comments, on this site. I followed through with going off Lisinopril, and changing to Losartan. This new drug also has a side-effect, which is, of all things, causes a constant backache. Oh well, at least the hair fall out, and breakage, has subsided. I've read all the postings about Lisinopril, and have to agree that a good hair moisturizer can help. Someone said they can't use hair moisturizer because their hair is thin, and it causes it to be limp. I'm the queen of skinny hair! You just need to find the 'right' moisturizer, and a good thermal heat protectant if using any hot styling tools. Trust me!
JillyBean5
28 Sep 2018
I started taking 10mg of Lisinopril 9 months ago and have noticed a huge amount of shedding for the past 5 months. Does anyone know if a decrease in dosage will decrease the shedding? I went down to 5mg last week and my BP is still normal, but I know it often take s several months for the hair to react. I can't find an answer anywhere and I'm getting desperate. Help?
JillyBean5
29 Sep 2018
Anyone know if decreasing the dosage here will decrease the shedding?
SarahBar
10 Oct 2018
I was taking 10mg of Lisinopril for a few years with no side effects. The dosage was increased to 20mg recently with a metropo succ. 25mg. About 2 weeks ago I noticed my hairbrushes were filling up with hair to the point of concern. I have very thick hair and do not shed, It has to be the beta blocker so I'm weaning myself off on my own and cutting back the Lisinopril to 10mg. My feeling is what will be will be but I don't want to be bald! Comments, please.
Zelinka
3 July 2018
I have had significant hair loss since starting Lisinopril -hydrochlorothiazide a year ago. I have lost hair by the hand full; and it continues break off.
jsb111
21 Feb 2018
I've been taking lisinopril for several years, and never noticed any side-effects. Until recently. I believe it is responsible for causing my hair to fall out!! It's been an absolute nightmare trying to determine WHAT is causing my hair to thin... but I've narrowed it down, and I'm pretty darn sure, now, that it's the lisinopril. Grrrr... damn side-effects from these damn DRUGS. Grrrrrr AGAIN!!
Suzi3955
29 Oct 2017
Yes yes yes! I’ve been taking lisinopril 20 mgs for about 4 months. Lately, I’ve noticed my hair’s texture has changed. It appears dull and dry and gets tangled easily. I’ve always had shiney smooth thick hair. In fact, I had to be careful not to overdo the conditioner when cleansing my hair. But NOW! I HAVE to use conditioner and a lot of it and, in addition, I have to use a leave-in conditioner! My hair would have been a greasy mess in the past! Not only has my texture and hair condition changed for the worse, but I’ve been loosing way more strands of hair than I did a few months ago! In fact, I’ve experienced these hair changes ever since I started being prescribed “high blood pressure” meds about 1 year ago! Lisinopril is the 4th med my doctor has prescribed because I was experiencing more obvious (bad) side effects from the first three meds; for instance, ankle/foot swelling and severe constipation.
This hair loss situation is more fleeting because I am 62 years of age and it’s well known as we age, it’s normal to lose at least a bit more hair than when younger. I believe that hair loss as a side effect of lisinopril often goes UNreported because people tend to think it’s just their AGE causing the hair loss. I put 2+2 together about a week ago (HBP + Lisinopril = Telogen Effuvium (all-over hair loss)!!! Obviously, I’ve been investigating this equation online! That is how I found this website and article. I have already discontinued the lisinopril, which I know I should WAIT until I speak with my medical professional.. but I do NOT plan to have happen to me what’s happened to several of the people who’ve posted here. I refuse to lose any more of my hair! I want my smooth lustrous hair back! I specifically have always purchased top of the line hair products for myself. I don’t use Suave or White Rain! I buy sulfate free, paraban free, silicone free hair products! I use a coconut COWASH very often and even that isn’t reacting with my hair like it used to! I’m SICK over this! You can call me VAIN, but so much of “ME” has changed since menopause (including peri menopause), I refuse to live any longer with this “change” in my hair! I will call my PCP tomorrow (it’s the weekend) and ask the nurse to explain to him my issue & ask him to prescribe an alternative HBP med. But first, I plan to find alternative meds that are believed to NOT CAUSE hair loss. I will then relay my findings when I ask for a different medication. I FIRMLY believe this lisinopril is causing my hair issues and it more than likely is causing yours. Get off of it, is MY advise to you. I also plan to incorporate a more extensive EXERCISE PROGRAM into my daily life and cut back as much as I can on sodium in my diet. Hopefully, I can lose about 10 lbs minimum. These 3 changes just might naturally bring my BP to an acceptable level! (WITHOUT having to depend on med). I’m keeping my fingers crossed lol!
YourNameHere
26 Oct 2017
I am a female and have been taking Lisinopril-HCTZ for the last 15 years. As soon as I started taking it, my hair started coming out in clumps. I noticed it first in the shower because all the hair was keeping the water from draining! Anyway, I asked my doctor about it and she said that Lisinopril doesn't cause hair loss and that I must be under stress, etc., just all sorts of excuses.
Years went by and my ponytail literally went to about a third of its original volume. I can use a baby rubber band to hold all of it. The top-front of my head is the thinnest area. Also, my hair is flat, dry, dull and just blah.
Now I am just about to turn 58 and if I ask ANY doctor about my hair loss, he/she always says that it's probably because of my age and then asks if my mother had thin hair. The medical assistant to the last doctor I've seen even told me to "just wear a wig"!!
Anyway, I now see that I was right all along. I need to change medications, fast! I just hope that my hair will grow back! And I hope that I can actually find another medication that won't cause the same problem. My only regret is believing all these doctors, for all these years!!! I could just cry. We are all just guinea pigs.
YourNameHere
13 Nov 2017
So, I went back to my doctor and asked him to change my med to a beta blocker. As I waiting for him to see me, I went on the internet and found that beta blockers cause hair loss, too!! I talked with him about my concerns and again, this doctor fought me about hair loss being a side effect of Lisinopril! I honestly think that doctors cannot admit to certain side effects because it's a liability. Eventually, we'll see this drug in a commercial for a class action lawsuit. About 25 years ago, I took Prozac for about 6 months. I told my doctor that I had absolutely no sex drive. She laughed and said that that wasn't a side effect. Of course, now it is listed as one.
But, getting back to my "doctor"... he argued, actually argued (!) with me that Lisinopril did not cause my hair loss. He kept saying that as you get older... I kept reminding him that I was in my very early forties when my hair started coming out in clumps. This was almost immediately after started this med. Anyway, he said that he has thinning hair, too, (he's 47) and recommended that I use Rogaine! That was his solution, treating the symptom, not the cause. (Yes, I'm looking for a new doctor... again.) The thing is, he never recommended a different blood pressure medicine! So, I am continuing to do my own research. In the meantime, I am starting to lose weight and exercising. I did ask my doctor if I can eventually get off of my blood pressure med if I were to lose weight. He said that it's not likely because a person's blood pressure just goes up naturally as they age. Yes, I guess I already knew that but I am going to try my hardest. The bald spot at the top-front of my head is now about the size of a quarter. :(
Also, I have found this... "Lisinopril is a type of drug called an ACE inhibitor that works by stopping the angiotensin II hormone from being produced, which usually causes the blood pressure to increase. When lisinopril stops it from being formed, the blood pressure gets lower to manage hypertension." Hormone. Could this "hormone" have an affect on our hair follicles?
daveb494
3 Oct 2017
It absolutely made my hair fall out. There is no history of male pattern baldness in my family but I started to lose it big time sometime after starting Lisinopril. I was not aware the drug was causing it. I was taken off Lisinopril because of the cough systems that can occur. I noticed a couple months after that my hair seemed to be growing again. Not sure how many months it took but eventually I had a complete head of hair again!
TMJARS
16 Dec 2018
OMG this is crazy. What did you end up going on? I would like to know if there is an alternative. I am only 48 and had a thick full head f hair. Went on Lisinopril in August and now it is December and my hair is starting to fall out or shed much more than ever before. I would like to know what you went on as an alt drug. Thanks
TMJARS
16 Dec 2018
OMG this is crazy. What did you end up going on? I would like to know if there is an alternative. I am only 48 and had a thick full head f hair. Went on Lisinopril in August and now it is December and my hair is starting to fall out or shed much more than ever before. I would like to know what you went on as an alt drug. Thanks
daveb494
16 Dec 2018
I went on Losartan/HCTZ. No coughing, no side effects, all of my hair came back within 6 months.
TMJARS
18 Dec 2018
Thank you Dave. Just went to the doctor today and asked to be switched to losartan. Hopefully this will end this madness for me. All I can do now is wait and see if this stops or at least slows down the shedding. I don't want to be bald. I have a Tommy Pickles kind of head, and wouldn't think others would appreciate it too much if I showed it off. Thank you again.
daveb494
19 Dec 2018
Good luck! If your results are like mine it should all be back in a few months.
Declans gmaw
24 Dec 2018
I thought my hair loss was from the meds too but come to find out I was very low on vitamin D. They have me taking 50,000 units a week of vitiman D and my hair has stopped falling out. Merry Christmas!
TMJARS
4 April 2019
Thank you Dave. You are my hero! I did go to the dr and have them change me to Losartan right before Christmas. My started growing back! I knew something was up. My nails usually grow fast and that had stopped too. Switching to this med my hair is returning and by June it will be probably normal again. My nails also started to grow back faster like they did prior. That Lisinopril really did a number on me. Thank you for the option. I hope others see this too. It may help you like it helped me. Thank You!
daveb494
4 April 2019
Great News! I was lucky to find the answer on this site too. So important for people to share!
kathymobile
14 Aug 2019
Well, I went chlorthalidone after the Lisinopril hair disaster but this Spring '19 found out I my vitamin D was very low. Things much better all around now but I don't know if Vit D was low when I had my issues with lisinopril.
kathymobile
20 Aug 2017
I started taking Lisinopril 20 mg about three weeks ago, and my hair just suddenly turned thinner, super dry and looks awful. I've ;never experienced anything so devastating, and I'm not kidding. Now, I see I'm not alone. I've been panicking over this, which I'm sure is not helping my high blood pressure! I think I took lisinopril a long time ago, for about a year, under the name of Zestril 10 mg, or I thought it was the same stuff, and didn't notice anything wrong. I'm not taking it any more. and I'll get something else or just live on beets, low sodium V-8, avocados and grape juice.
Suzi3955
29 Oct 2017
Hello Kathymobile! I could have written your comments! Only difference is I’ve been using lisinopril for about 12 weeks! I sympathize with how you’re feeling because I’m feeling likewise! I, too, am devastated. My hair’s texture has changed and I’m losing way more strands of hair than usual. The carpet in my room needs vacuumed daily due to all the falling hair from my head! My drain clogs in the shower from all the hair falling out when I shower! I posted a very long explicit message today, in addition to replying directly to you. Please read it, too, because it describes in detail my experience with this medication. Thank you for sharing.
Bubblybutterflie
24 June 2017
I have just started taking lisinopril for my blood pressure and yes, I have hair falling out in handfuls everyday. I just started taking it 3 weeks ago.
Dyvsan
10 Dec 2016
I have been on Lisinopril for several years and have lost all of the hair on the top of my head. I asked my doctor about this and was told that this was coincidental and not caused by the lisinopril. I have always felt that this was a lie and that doctors are covering up the truth.
WorkingMan1
22 Jan 2017
I'm on Lisinopril 20mg.my family doc she says are your sure your not just going vald.i said no.my testosterone levels are average.its not DHT.im 33.ive been on Lisinopril for 9 years.im trying to find another ace inhibitor that would protect my kidneys.i wonder if cozaar would help without hairloss..and I read a blog that male patients on cozaar had a Really really low chance of ED due to taking it.im just concerned about if something on the market would protect my kidneys,not cause hairloss or ED.can anyone out there help me please find the answer to these 3 issues?
royal star 13
10 Sep 2017
i. was. on lisinopril. and. within. a. few. weeks
my. hair. went. like straw. and. u. coukd see. through it
was. onto. my. shoulders. now. is. 4inch shorter
when i shower.none. drop out. as. they. did
from being a teen. and yes doctor
said. it. isnt the bp meds. oh yes it is
fekkin disaster. its. just not. growing
therefore. not. shedding. either
needinfonow
12 Jan 2012
Yes before taking lisinopril I had a real thick head of hair, Since starting on lisinopril a little over a year ago, I have lost at least 75% of my hair
It is still getting thinner.
I just learned about the side effects of hair loss and lisinopril.
I am going to ask my doctor to change my medication .
jacquej
18 July 2015
I developed angioedema this morning. When was seen by the triage nurse in the ED, I was informed immediately I was having an allergic reaction to lisinopril hydrochlorthiazide. I was advised to stop taking the drug immediately. I read the comments concerning hair loss. I have had thinning of hair and hair loss recently. I have been on this medication for several years. I have reported to a variety of PMD of the many items of side effects at various times. Which is why I would change doctors after a few years because their answer was to continue to give me the medication, rather than recognizing the complaints were associated with side effects of the medication or offering other possible alternatives.
I prayed to know the truth about my health. My prayer was answered. I thank God and now I thank God for you posting. Now I now the source of my hair loss. Thank you to the person who posted the suggestions for the hair products to use.
eb001
1 Oct 2009
I switched to Lisinopril from Atenolol about one month ago because I thought the Atenolol was causing my hair thinning... which is one of the side effects of beta blockers. I am taking vitamins specifically for hair, skin, and nails... with biotin, MSM, and B. I've also been taking Fish Oil capsules and Flax seed oil capsules. I'm still losing hair! I think the stress of the thinning is making it worse. I'm 58, so maybe hormones are playing a part also... plus stress! Quite a few of my coworkers are going through the same thing... I read a book by Dr. Christiane Northrup and she says there is a chinese herb called Shou wu pian that has been used for many years, and she has seen wonderful results from it regarding hair regrowth. The book is Wisdom of Menopause. I'm ready to try it.
Judyh0311
28 Sep 2016
Yes, yes, yes and it is driving me crazy. The thing is, I have been on Lisinopril for over 9 years and it has just started this. My hair is so incredibly thin now that I'm in a state of panic. Have you found anything at all that helped?
RosenowL
29 Oct 2017
Lisiniopril is cause my hair to fall out I’m shedding constantly. I was never blessed with thick hair and want to keep what I have. I’m going to change meds to see if that works. I’m taking all the vitamins you mentioned and Biotin too. I’m afraid to try new products because of my allergies.
Abprom
11 Feb 2018
I have tried some of everything but to no avail... I even thought about not taking anymore b/p meds... this is so frightening... I'm so upset about my hair loss... I'll try anything that will help me... Thanks
SusanHooper
14 Feb 2018
I was on atenolol (and kept my full volume hair) for years and only switched to a different beta blocker because I felt atenolol was making me phlegmy. It never caused me hair loss. Now my hair has definitely less volume and I am thinking it's the anesthesia and or Eliquis causing it now .
jsb111
29 Sep 2018
Not only did Lisinopril cause me to lose most of my hair, (which has never grown back completely), but I also developed an allergy to it and broke out in a horrible itchy rash from head to toe. The stuff is POISON. As for the Chinese herb you referred to - he shou wu - which translated means man whose hair turned black, yes it does help in regrowing your hair. It also helps restore your natural hair color. (Another name for the herb is Fo-Ti.) I'm 67 years old and have never dyed my hair, which is still the color I was born with. But back to the Lisinopril, I will never touch that garbage again. I'm currently using all natural substances to keep my blood pressure down. Spirulina helps me quite a lot in that regard.
Actually, there's a lot of HEALTHY things you can take to keep your blood pressure in the normal range, without having to resort to prescription drugs that ALWAYS have nasty side-effects, and you never know if YOU are going to suffer said side-effects until you ARE suffering. I understand that high blood pressure can cause a stroke or heart disease, etc., but just bear in mind that there ARE other ways to keep it down, other than dangerous Rx's. Do some research on your own, and discover other ways to help yourself.
Declans gmaw
24 Dec 2018
Take 50,000 units of vitimin D a week. That worked for me. Or spend 15 minutes a day in the sunshine. I was very low in vitimin D and never went out much. I thought it was the meds but it wasn't. My hair has stopped falling out. Hope this helps.
jsb111
25 Dec 2018
To Declans gmaw: Thank you so much for your suggestion of the 50,000 unit of Vitamin D per week!! I actually do take 35,000 units of Vit D each week. My last blood work showed that I'm in the normal range for Vitamin D, as well. Still, I truly appreciate that you took the time to comment. (I get direct sun as often as I am able, but here in the Pacific Northwest, we only catch the rays every so often during the winter months.)
Inactive
1 Oct 2009
Any blood pressure medicine can make hair a bit thinner. Also when the seasons change and if you have been sick, injured, had anesthesia, or under stress can make it shed. Try taking a Stresstab with zinc even the store brand will work. Also for the dryness, use some Neutrogena Triple moisturzer for hair and some Biosilk silk therapy or redken Glass leave in conditioner. They both work wonders. Make sure the stresstab with zinc doesn't interfere with other meds you might be taking. Ask the pharmacist about that. It rarely would, but, ask anyway.
RosenowL
29 Oct 2017
Yes I know what you are saying. I haven’t had surgery or been injured or sick. I can’t use any of the products you mention as my hair is very fine and they make it limp even if I use a drop plus I don’t have dry hair. I will however try the Stress tab with Zinc. Although I’ve never heard of it. I take Folic Acid,Biotin,vitamin E,A and fish oil.
Goldilik
21 Sep 2018
Oh my goodness! I am on Lisinopril and if it was not for your posting, I would have never know it was this drug causing all this hair loss. I had beautiful, thick hair. Once my lisinopril was doubled, I have baldness symptoms of a male. Did anyone hair grow back after getting off the medication?
Goldilik
21 Sep 2018
I know it's the lisinopril now, because it's the only medicine I am on, and I have been having this problem since starting this medication. It has been stressing me so bad because of this loss of hair. I am so happy to finally find out my problem. I love hair on the head. Mine use to be so thick and gorgeous!
Goldilik
21 Sep 2018
I know it's the lisinopril now, because it's the only medicine I am on. It has been stressing me terribly because of this loss of hair. I am so happy to finally find out my problem. I love hair on the head. Mine use to be so thick, long and gorgeous! I am mad and happy at the same time today. My prayer is that THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY grow my hair back! Thank you Lord.
kathymobile
28 Sep 2018
When this happened to me about a year ago, it was about three weeks when I really noticed. It was a horror show. My hair was like straw and thinning. I was so freaked out, I told my doctor, "I'm not taking this anymore.," and explained how freaking our about my hair falling out wasn't doing wonders for my high blood pressure. He didn't contradict me, and just prescribed something else. (chlorthalidone 25 mg) It's basically a diuretic, as I understand it and has been around for a long time.
Hair loss is not on the list of Lisinopril side effects, but my pharmacist said not all side effects are printed on the information sheet. She said I could ask her to check if I had questions about anything I was taking and she could look it up.
Bottom line -- when I stopped taking Lisinopril, the hair loss did stop. And, all I can tell you is that I used WEN shampoo and it helped a lot.
There is a blood pressure medication that actually causes hair to grow. A friend of my sisters is taking Spironolactone and said her hair started growing. I asked my cardiologist about it and he said can be used for high blood pressure but I'd have to get it from a dermatologist. Weird. I never did because my situation improved. And I don't know anything else about it. But, it might be worth checking.
Good luck, everybody ! Living Lisinopril free :)
Related topics
high blood pressure, lisinopril
Further information
- Lisinopril uses and safety info
- Lisinopril prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lisinopril (detailed)
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