Methotrexate and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Lag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This is a horrible drug. I took it once a week for 5 months, 12.5 mg of awfulness. My hair started falling out in clumps, even with taking folic acid. The headaches and nausea are debilitating, along with the fatigue and general malaise that I experienced for 2-3 days after taking it. It did not touch the flare-ups or the pain I experienced from the RA. I have now completely changed my diet and my way of thinking to combat this disease. No gluten, no dairy, stress-free as much as possible, and supplements like Nordic Fish Oils, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin Sulfates, and Turmeric help better than the Methotrexate did any day. I called this drug 'Poison' the whole time I was taking it. Now I feel way better not taking it, and I know why, because it is a POISON. Stay far away from this drug and try lifestyle changes before even considering this harmful drug."

• tig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Methotrexate was totally useless and side effects far outweigh benefits. I'm unable to eat, my hair is falling out, and I have chronic stomach pains. My RA doctor completely ignores me when I told them about the adverse effects and swapped to a milder dose injection, but it was to no avail."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started methotrexate in April for RA, pain in my hands, knees, hips, fingers, and toes. I started on 7.5 mg injections but didn't see any difference. Slowly progressed to 15 mg, and I'm now just having odd pains here and there, mainly if I've overdone things. I started on folic acid 5 mg every day, but it made me feel so ill, now I only take it once a week, which my rheumatologist is fine with, and I feel absolutely fine. No adverse side effects from methotrexate either. Yes, my hair is thinner, but not so anyone notices, and my eyelashes are a bit sparse now, but still there. I was so apprehensive to try this drug, but at 45, I didn't want it to progress to the stage where I couldn't live a normal life. I know it's not for everyone, but for me, it's really helped."

• mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on 12.5 mg of methotrexate per week for 6 weeks. I gradually got more tired and had more brain fog as each week went by. My hair was falling out at an alarming rate. By week 6, I was having heart palpitations. My joints felt good, but everything else not so much. I stopped using it, and after 3 days, I felt much better."

• Sav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "When I was first diagnosed with RA six years ago, this methotrexate was the first medication that I was prescribed. I was just in so much pain at that time and being newly diagnosed, I just wanted to feel like myself again. But... over the course of the first three months, I gained just under 15 pounds. (And to make it worse, I was so bloated, even though I was barely eating). Then... worse yet, about nine months into my treatment, my long hair began to fall out (not in large clumps), but I started noticing my hair was all over everything. Okay, so now I have joint pain, I cannot fit into my clothes, and my hair is falling out. I was taking this medication for 14 months before I was changed, and throughout that time I am unable to say it really did anything to help me - although my doctor said it did stop “the flare-up”. Please note: even though I am no longer on this medication, I did not actually notice this helping with my joints, and I do still have flare-ups occasionally."

• ACS...
• July 5, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on methotrexate for almost a year. I am up to 20 mg a week. I take folic acid and leucovorin calcium 12 hours after the methotrexate. I was taking Enbrel but now take Xeljanz. Before the biologics, the methotrexate wasn't working very well. I take prednisone too. I am only 36 but at least I can function better than I did. I still flare about twice a month. I suffer side effects from methotrexate. My hair has severely thinned out and I get very tired after taking it. It looks like I'll be on it for a long time though. Hopefully it gets better. I would really like my hair to come back."

• Ano...
• March 19, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "A couple of years ago my husband was at the point where he was limping severely, with swollen joints in his hands and feet. He was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and began taking methotrexate at 20 mg once a week; he has since cut back to 17.5 mg. It has made a huge difference in his functioning, and he's pretty much back to normal. (Regular strength training at the YMCA has also helped a lot). He was also told to take folic acid once a day, which he does. The only negative is that his hair has thinned quite a bit, which is a common side effect. He is in his 70s."

• Jen...
• June 2, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Methotrexate 25mg for 6 weeks now, but 6 months for 20 mg, and I have seen much improvement with my back pain. I do have severe rib and chest pain still, but the back pain is much better. I feel like a zombie though every day. I can barely make it through the day. I am so upset about my hair. I have cut almost 6 inches off and still have dry, damaged hair from the medicine. I lose handfuls of hair daily, and the GI problems sometimes are pretty bad. So I don't know if the side effects outweigh the benefits. I wish I could have someone help me fix these side effects, and I would be okay. I think the fatigue is one of the worst though. :("

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been taking a combo therapy of sulfasalazine and methotrexate for 5 months. Started at 15 mg per week and now down to 5 mg. Sulfasalazine remained the same. Each month, inflammation markers are lower. When diagnosed, the marker was 24, and the last visit was 3. The swelling decreased a lot, and I don't have the level of pain when I first started. Side effects are minimal. Tired the day after, but nothing too major. Hair thinning. Still able to bodybuild daily. As a matter of fact, after starting methotrexate, I've felt better overall and have been able to pack on more muscle. Overall, good experience."

• kpa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 35 years. I finally found a rheumatologist that was very good. I started on Plaquenil, which was great, but I developed an allergy to it. Switched to methotrexate oral, but had a hard time tolerating the nausea and diarrhea. Switched to injectable methotrexate, and had no nausea, limited diarrhea. It worked moderately well for the RA. Not completely pain free, but could do most things most days. I got cellulitis while on it, so had to go off for about 3 mos. When I went back to it, it didn't seem to work quite as well, and I realized I was experiencing more side effects than I was aware of the first time: thin skin, dermatitis, bruising, bleeding, hair falling out. New rheumatologist (my good one moved) decided to try Arava."

• Jen...
• April 2, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I'm on my 3rd month, and I do believe it's helping, but the pain is still there. I have noticed that as the dosage has increased, it takes longer to bounce back, and I'm unable to cut hair as that was my profession before the diagnosis. I hope in time I will be able to get back to work, but I am suffering from several side effects (hair falling out, unusually dry hair, quick to have to rest unlike before, and several others). I was completely bedridden before starting the medication, so needless to say, I don't want to try anything else because I am scared to take the chance that it won't work at all. I know I'm just beginning and hope in time the side effects will fade."

• Spa...
• January 23, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 15 years, severe and aggressive. Finding a good rheumatologist has been impossible. I take Humira, methotrexate, and folic acid. Taking the prescribed dose of methotrexate, 10 mg once a week. I am so lethargic, still stiff hands, feet, joints, as well as pain. It is better than no medication because that pain is fire, this has dulled the fire. Had one surgery on my shoulder. My hair has been rapidly falling out again, I can't eat normally. After reading this blog, I realize I may do better with either injections or stopping completely. Plaquenil and sulfasalazine were of no benefit. Allergic to biologics. Had to find one that has been a game changer."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Terrible experience - never again! I started taking the methotrexate on Thursday morning and felt sick for days! I'm highly sensitive to medication and was given 10 mg and 5 mg of folic acid all days except dose day. I managed to get to work the next day but was very fatigued, vague, and couldn’t function too well. I have never felt so tired as I did the weekend after and had to cancel all my plans. From Friday night, I was totally wiped out, no appetite, couldn’t stay awake, tummy ache, headache, and since Sunday, strands of hair have been falling out. My fringe/bangs thinned out, and hair kept falling out - after 1 tablet. It was a terrible experience."

• Ins...
• December 15, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I started on sulfasalazine in 1997 and have been on methotrexate for about 18 months. I have noticed hair loss, sleep problems, mood changes, and memory fuzziness. I have to write things down or I forget them. The days I am off methotrexate, my hands swell up, and I also fall asleep in the afternoon."

• Tri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2019

For Psoriasis "I've been on methotrexate for 3 ½ years for a mystery rash, 4 areas on my thighs, 4 on my back, and one in my heel. Dosage scaled up to 20 mg 1x per week and I recently reduced to 7.5 mg/week. Folic acid 1 mg/day. It did eliminate my rash, where no other drug, aside from prednisone, would. I developed tinnitus (ears ringing) 3 weeks ago and discontinued methotrexate. Ears are ringing constantly. I believe it is from methotrexate, I have otherwise excellent health and hearing. Wondering if anyone else has experienced ears ringing from methotrexate. I have not had any other side effects others have reported - hair thinning, liver impairment, etc."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Second time around with the methotrexate. I use it as a bridge drug until I find one that works. I was on Enbrel and Humira for the past 15 years. Both worked extremely well but lost potency after about 7 years. Now in search of a new drug, now trying Otezla. It's not a biological and has fewer side effects than all the others I have researched. I don't like the methotrexate. Long-term because of hair loss and the continued dosing changes. But fortunately, now we have many drugs to choose from. Finding one that works and is safe and effective is the dilemma."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2019

"I can't even tell how effective this medicine was despite taking it for 5 months at increasing dosages. I have Henoch-Schönlein Purpura, and the methotrexate unfortunately could not completely control my inflammation and daily flare-ups and caused terrible side effects. Fatigue and drowsiness were TERRIBLE. Don't expect to sleep well while taking it either. I also experienced a decline in mental faculties such as recalling basic memories, attention problems, forgetting obvious reminders I would NEVER forget otherwise, and slow information processing in general. My hair was falling out in clumps, and now I have bald spots as a girl in my 20s! On top of that, my acne of 10 years returned after I finally managed to clear it up through Accutane a few years back. I've been on all sorts of medications, but this is by far the worst one I've ever taken. I should have read the warnings more carefully before starting it, as I didn't know you could die from incorrect usage until now. Take at your own risk."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "53 years old, diagnosed in 2010 with RA. Prior to taking this, was taking Plaquenil 400 mg and Prednisone 5 mg daily. Had to discontinue the Plaquenil (5-2021) due to constant lower GI bleeding and diarrhea. I've been on MTX 25 mg (6×2.5 mg) once per week and it is helping. I had been in near constant flares after getting Covid (6-2021) and had so much pain and stiffness that I cried any time I had to move around. Now I only flare once, maybe twice a week, or if I overdo it. I do have some side effects: fatigue (up to two days after dose), but a few short naps help, a little nausea (I found six smaller meals and saltines helped with it). The biggest one I had was hair loss during dose week three. My scalp got really itchy and felt really dry and tight, so I wet my hair, thinking it was just dry and was just going to wash it after. Nope, about 50% of it fell out as soon as it was wet, which was a bit of a shock, but it's slowly growing back. Small prices to pay to be almost flare-free and have mobility back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2021

"Was good at the start for my giant cell arteritis, now several months down the track my hair has fallen out rapidly and become very thin and fragile. Not to mention the insane itch that has accompanied the hair loss. I wish I could come off methotrexate ASAP, but unfortunately no... at least another 12 months... I guess it is either do as I'm told and live or don't, and that is the end of me :("

• Vin...
• November 1, 2020

For Psoriasis "I suffered from psoriasis for 7-8 months with acutely cracked feet and hands. It was painful and embarrassing. I tried all therapies-homeopathy, naturopathy, and Ayurvedic treatments, nothing worked. Then I resorted to allopathy. The doctor started with steroidal creams on the cracks, and they healed a bit. But later, after 2 months, he put me on Folitrax 10 mg, and I responded well with no discomfort. Then he increased it to 15 mg until today (10 months of treatment) with DOM-DT, Folitrax 15, and a folic acid tab 24 hours later a week. I get, at times, discomfort in my head and stomach, but you should not lie down after these meds-work and be more active! I started getting hair fall, so the doctor gave me calpanthenate. I have totally stopped milk products, nightshades, and all gluten. I have lactose-free milk, jowar, bajra, ragi flour, and egg whites, pulses (no kidney beans or chanas), and veggies with the least condiments. I am now thankful for my soft and supple hands and feet."

• spi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Took MTX at moderate/higher doses for 6 months with folic acid. GI side effects were terrible-mostly diarrhea and resulted in terrible fluid loss/electrolyte issues. It did not help my RA. I lost 50% of my hair by about 6 months. It has now been another 4 months and there is no regrowth that I can see, continued breakage, and some hair fall. I read that the follicle gets damaged and old hair falls out and new hair growth is not healthy and breaks off near the scalp. Takes a long time to repair follicles. Luckily I had a lot of hair, but it's getting scary. Overall, I had a poor experience."

• dud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2021

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My first med after failing to respond to NSAIDs since diagnosed with spondyloarthritis. Liver enzymes gone up a bit and some mild hair loss, but no other side effects after 8 months on it. The drug provided only partial/intermittent control of the arthritis, though."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2023

For Psoriatic Arthritis "At first, it was absolutely horrible. Twice I went to urgent care to get tested for COVID-19 and strep throat. A week apart. I had a horrible headache, mouth sores, and blisters in my throat, top of my mouth, and tongue. I started losing my hair in clumps. I called my rheumatologist the second week I took it because, by the weekend, I had the same symptoms as the previous week. They said to lower the dose by half. Things were better, but I still have fatigue, but that could be from the disease. I still lose more hair than normal, but not nearly as bad. It has been over a year since I started it. I take two other medications to try to keep inflammation under control. I have a huge problem with being told my blood work numbers look great, but I still feel like crap and have severe pain, and that is supposed to be normal. I get no idea on what to do to improve. Just listen to your body. Should I exercise? I get a shoulder shrug. Should I avoid certain things or foods? Shoulder shrug. Use heat or a cold pack, shoulder shrug. Listen."

• Joa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2025

For Psoriasis "After minimal success with Otezla, Taltz, and Dupixent, I started Methotrexate 20 mg orally once a week in a divided dose. It has been the best medication so far, and I am about 90% clear of scalp psoriasis. I did take Himyroz (Humira bio-equivalent) for 3 months in between, with severe hair loss and minimal clearing of psoriasis."

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2024

For Psoriasis "Fantastic results! I have fairly severe psoriasis on both my shins, elbows, and scalp. I was quite anxious about wearing shorts. It pretty much cleared up after being on the medication for six months. It took around three months to take effect, but it was worth the wait. I take 10 mg once weekly with folic acid. The only issues were a bit of a headache on the dosing days and some hair loss. The hair loss was a concern, but it seems to have settled with the right hair products. The only reason why I would not rate it a 10 is that. Overall, I am very satisfied and will carry on with the medication. I hope this review helps!"