My Dermatologist Says Amantadine, Aricept, and Adderal Are Causing My Hair Loss

Hi,

I am a ‘young’ 50’s woman who has lived with Sjogren’s for 20 yrs. along w/the medications to control its symptoms. I’ve had fairly normal hair loss until the last 5 yrs. Since then, the loss has increased at an alarming rate. The biopsy revealed chronic TE. My dermatologist thinks it’s due to 3 of my meds; amantadine, aricept & adderal. I’ve taken these meds forever. I’m going to ask my Rhuematologist to change them. Meanwhile, he told me to discontinue the minoxidil because he doesn’t think it works, but I thought it was helping w/the shorter hair along the face, but… is there anything that helps with the itching that goes hand-in-hand w/the minoxidil? That is almost unbearable on top of the itching from the TE.

When you get a symptom like chronic itching when you are using a medication like minoxidil, your body is telling you that it is not good for you (it could be that you are allergic to the medication). Sounds like you have good doctors, so focus your questions to those who are treating you. Hair loss is complex in your situation, as it coexists with your other problems and treatments.