Enablex and Hair Loss?

Hi,

I’m writing because my hair has been falling out for four months after I stopped the medication (Enablex) that I believe was causing my hair to fall out. Nowhere on the internet can I find an association with Enablex and hair loss and my doctor has not heard of this either. Do you have any knowledge of an assocation? I am sure this is the problem as the only other times my hair has fallen out is when I’ve been on other medications (Accutane, Zonegran). My hair stopped falling out in about 2-3 months after stopping the other medications but this time my hair continues to fall out at a rapid rate even though I’ve been off Enablex for four months.

Help! Is there anything I can do? Do you think it will stop falling out soon? Will highlighting my hair aggravate the problem?

I’m trying not to worry too much and be patient but I’m running out of patience. I already have straight thin hair and am worried I’m going to get bald spots soon!

Thank you

The Enablex website says, “Enablex is a prescription medicine that’s proven to treat the symptoms of Overactive Bladder (OAB).” Enablex (darifenacin) is an antimuscarinic that relaxes the bladder muscles to prevent urgent, frequent, or uncontrolled urination.

Hair loss is not a known side effect of Enablex; known side effects include dry mouth, constipation, abdominal pain, etc (see list). Even in the worst case scenario if Enablex was the cause, there is not much you can do to reverse the hair loss. Before thinking that this is the cause of your hair loss, you need to see if there are other medical conditions (including genetic balding) that is the source of your hair loss. The medication may just be a coincidence. I hope you consulted your doctor before you stopped taking the drug. You should never start or stop a medication without consulting with your prescribing physician.