Prilosec (Omeprazole) and Hair Loss
I too am taking omeprazole and finding that my hair is thinning severely. I want to weigh in on this because I see other comments to this effect on your site and others. I think you should not be too hasty to dismiss the connection.
On researching this, I did find references to a rare connection between Prilosec (omeprazole) and hair loss. As I’ve explained before, it is difficult to conclude whether omeprazole is the cause of your hair loss, as hair loss is quite common due to genetics. Hair loss reported from the medication is in less than 1% of cases. See eMedTV for more.
I’m having trouble with Dr. Rassman on this issue. It is likely rare that these medications cause hair loss. But to say that sudden hair loss that occurs in the matter of a few months is the same as MPB that occurs over months and years is kinda hard for me to swallow.
MPB is supposed to be a gradual condition from my understanding. Taking a medication then losing 2/3rds of your hair in a few weeks to a few months is not MPB IMO.
I am not a doctor. I don’t know 100%. But I have reservations about this blanket MPB statement.
Dan,
OK, but I’m not seeing where the original poster mentions losing 2/3rd of their hair in weeks or months.
I have GERD for more than a year now.I had been taking omeprazole for months continously,like for 4 months.And after that have tried all proton inhibitors,zantac,nexum,rabeprazole,ranitidne etc.But my hairs didnt fall at all.
I too have been on omeprazole for a couple years now and I have about 1/2 the hair I used to have. Fortunately I had a really full nice head of hair and compared to a lot of people I still do have. However, I just found a hair ball on the floor. I have been telling my husband now that I have lost have my hair and I do think it is related to this medication!
Also, my daughter in law was taking it and started loosing her hair and so she quit taking the medication but is still loosing her hair!