i have to take singulair for severe allergies causing my asthma but for 4 weeks have big bald patches appearing on my head and need to know if this is related
I have noticed patches of hair loss . ive been on singulair for 3 months. does it cause hair loss?
Question posted by theresacarr on 2 July 2011
Last updated on 7 September 2024 by NikkiDennis
11 Answers
I’ve had severe hair loss. I’ve only been taking it for like 3 to five months! I used to barely be able to put my hair up it was so thick now it is super thin :( I’m fold turning it and reporting it to FDA
Can anyone confirm that they stopped Singulair and the hair is growing back?
I started Singulair therapy 10 months ago and now I have so many bald patches on my head with an extreme hair loss! I stopped taking Singulair last week.
I have been taking Montelukast (Singulair) for a few months & noticed my hair becoming brittle, then falling out. I ordinarily have very thick hair. I stopped taking the tablets a few days ago. Has anyone noticed if the hair stops falling out or if it grows back after stopping the tablets.?
Did you see any difference after stopping Singulair?
I was on Montelukast last year and noticed some minor hair loss, but just thought it was related to stress. I stopped taking it for a while to try to ween myself off my medications. During that time I had no issues with hair loss. Unfortunately I started getting a bad cough due to my allergies and was told to start taking it again by my allergist. Now that I am back on it again the hair loss is even worse. Lots of hair in my brush and shower every day. I'm so glad I found this post because I wasn't sure what was causing it, but now it makes sense.
I've been really concerned about the amount of hair loss I've been experiencing over the past 6 months, so much so I now have virtual bald patches. I started taking Montelukast for nasal polyps about 8 months ago. Hair loss is not listed in any of the side effects but having read how other people are experiencing this side effect I intend stopping taking montelukast immediately. Hopefully my nasal spray will keep the polyps under control but I do intend telling my doctor and raising it as a concern through national drug control.
It’s so strange that I got your response today! I had a long conversation with my doctor yesterday regarding this exact issue and all she said is no? Although my sister has experienced a loss from it also I am afraid to stop it because it does help my asthma and allergies but it’s an awful thing losing your hair! Every medication can have every side effect so I am assuming that yes this can actually cause your hair to fall out I have several patches that keep shedding and I can tell my hair is very very thin something that someone should look into more… The only side effect that she always talks about is irritability moodiness tiredness powerful thoughts etc. Some thing I wish they would look more into
Can you have the polyps removed? I just stopped singulair again and it definitely was and is the culprit for my hair loss. I have stubs growing back now which is great. Report it to the FDA . The more people who do, we have a good chance they will put on the label.
How do you do now? Is hair loss problem resolved by now?
I’ve also been noticing hair loss and thinning quite rapidly for the past year! My PCP said it comes with age?? ( I’ve had thick hair always!) because I’m on so many medications, it’s hard to determine which one may be causing this? Each dr that prescribes, says not theirs? My sister, who has lost most of her hair due to other issues, loved singular but the little hair she had left, was falling out so she stopped and so did the hair loss??? I recently went to a specialist who in fact said that most of the hair loss is the allergy meds? Again... allergist said no! I saw other posts of stopping and trying Allegra so I think that’s my next step? So frustrating!!!
I have been using the generic for singulair for a few years. I have been losing my hair and lately it has gotten worse. I have researched each one of my meds and have gone off mostly everything not really needed. I’m down to the singulair and still losing so I say yes it’s making my hair fall out and I have bald patches in the front and thinning all over my head. I was on estrogen and my thyroid medicine so the combinations all cause hair loss. I’m just using the BRAND name for my thyroid medicine now. NO DR will tell you if a medicine is the cause. Mine says risk/benefit so I am done taking the risk.
By the way, I forgot about this medicine making my hair fall out. I started taking it again and I have been losing hair again! So much all over my bed and floors and shower. I just saw this pop up today and realized that this was the culprit again.
I think we should all file a report to the FDA for our hair loss problem and maybe they will put it on the label. The more reports the better. I don’t need it for anything but sinus problems. I can use something else. Good luck everyone
Has anyone got confirmation from the Doctor that it was the singulair? Her doctor is saying that didn't cause the hair loss because it isn't listed as a side effect.
My dr says the same but I’m starting to think otherwise? Good to know I’m not the only one concerned?
I have also been on montelukast 10mg for 3 months and are noticing rapid bald patches appearing on my head. Anyone else with this issue and what to do?
My Daughter did too, we took her off singulair and put her on Allegra and she had full re-growth. There are others on Facebook with parents of children with Alopecia.
in some people it is possible to lose ur hair because od the medication... idk what it is about the meds, it has something to do with the chemicals in it ... i hope that this answers ur question...
Related topics
singulair, asthma, allergies, allergic rhinitis
Further information
- Singulair uses and safety info
- Singulair prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Singulair (detailed)
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