How to prevent hair loss from Tysabri (natalizumab)?

Q: How to prevent hair loss from Tysabri (natalizumab)?

In a two year clinical trial for Tysabri ( natalizumab ) hair loss was not reported as a side effect. Some other medications used for multiple sclerosis (MS) are known to have hair loss as a side effect including: Azathioprine Methotrexate Cyclophosphamide Some of the interferons eg. Avonex, Betaseron Gilenya Other medications that may cause hair loss including: Antibiotics Antidepressants High blood pressure medications Hormone medications Birth control pills Mood stabilizers Steriods Hair loss can also be related to other medical conditions: Autoimmune disorders Thyroid disease Hormonal imbalance Scalp conditions Childbirth Stress If you find you are losing more hair than normal or are concerned about hair loss, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider. If they determine the cause they are more likely to be able improve or resolve the issue.

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on April 10, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

In a two year clinical trial for Tysabri (natalizumab) hair loss was not reported as a side effect.
Some other medications used for multiple sclerosis (MS) are known to have hair loss as a side effect including:

Azathioprine
Methotrexate
Cyclophosphamide
Some of the interferons eg. Avonex, Betaseron
Gilenya

Other medications that may cause hair loss including:

Antibiotics
Antidepressants
High blood pressure medications
Hormone medications
Birth control pills
Mood stabilizers
Steriods

Hair loss can also be related to other medical conditions:

Autoimmune disorders
Thyroid disease
Hormonal imbalance
Scalp conditions
Childbirth
Stress

If you find you are losing more hair than normal or are concerned about hair loss, it is important to discuss with your healthcare provider. If they determine the cause they are more likely to be able improve or resolve the issue.

References

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Natalizumab for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa044397
Avonex Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/avonex.html
Betaseron https://www.drugs.com/pro/betaseron.html
Cyclophosphamide Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/cyclophosphamide.html
Gilenya Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/gilenya.html
Azathioprine Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/ppa/azathioprine.html
Methotrexate Professional Medication Information: https://www.drugs.com/ppa/methotrexate.html

How to prevent hair loss from Tysabri (natalizumab)?

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