Hair Loss w/ Methotrexate - suggestions? | Arthritis Information

 

Hi Everyone,

I have been on Methotrexate for 4 months now.  The most significant and depressing side effect has been the hair loss.  It seems never ending!  I am on 1 mg of folic acid a day.

Does anyone have any other suggestions of remedies that have worked.  For example, I have heard evening primrose but I have not tried it yet.  I would love to hear what has worked for you.  Also, does it eventually stop, despite being on this drug?

Thank you for your help!

Nori

Im having hair loss too...........i just started a shampoo not remembering what its called-i dont have the bottle. but i hope it works! ive been oin mtx for a year and he hair loss started recently....Nori,
I normally have a ton of hair. But when I started on MTX my doctor also put me on 1mg of folic acid. My hair started to get very thin. I complained and complained and he put me on 2mg of folic acid. Got my full head of hair back.
So, dont hesitate to ask the doctor to up your folic acid.
Good luck
Barb
My hair also seems a bit thinner even though I'm on Leucovorin, which is supposed to be better than folic acid.  Some people take both so you may want to ask your doctor about that, although he may want to try the Leucovorin alone first. 

Many of the folks on this board swear by Biotin.  It's an over the counter B vitamin.  Take about 3 to 5 mg daily.  It helps your nails, too!

Ellie

tell your doctor you need to take more folic acid.

I agree. Up the folic acid. 2 mg will do the trick for most people.

Thank you for the advice!  I forgot to mention my nails have weakened as well.  I have always had long strong pretty nails, even as a child.  So the weak nails are new for me.  But the hair is what bothers me!!!

Take care,

Nori

grape seed extract has been said to help alsoMy doc perscribed me a folic acid supplement that had 2.8 of folic acid plus some other stuff like B vitamins in it..it worked good. I will try to find the name of it for you.

 I can not say enough about Biotin!!!  I take one 5 mcg pill in the AM for about 3 months now. Everytime i brushed, touched or did anything with my hair , stands upon strands would come out. My hair is still pretty thin but I have no more thinning problems and I can feel it growing back in. It might not help everyone but it sure did the trick for me.

a-nut

What is Biotin? 

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for your replies.  Saw my rheumatologist today, and she is upping my folic acid from 1 mg/day to 5 mg/day.  I hope this works!

Nori

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