I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2001 and put on tramadol. I always had a full head of hair and real long hair. After being on tramadol for a year and a half I noticed my hair was getting thin and not growing as fast as it used to and I had just turned 30 in 2001. I have been on tramadol for 10 years and my hair has just slowly gotten thinner. I know a few other people that are taken tramadol and their hair has gotten thinner to. Has anyone else commented on thinning hair and they take tramadol. I'm not a member and this is my first time on this site... My name is Tia thank you for your time and I hope I get the answer I'm looking for.
Does taking tramadol cause your hair to get real thin..?
Question posted by tia1971 on 12 Feb 2012
Last updated on 31 March 2020 by Parthena2
6 Answers
Parthena2
31 March 2020
I'm not 100% sure but, I had to stop taking tramadol temporarily (for about 3 months) due to a surgery that I got. I've not noticed improvement to my hair yet but I have my nails. My nails had gotten so weak they would separate like they had layers also they felt thinner. Now that I've been off tramadol for about 3 months they feel stronger and are growing nicely.
suzi rowe
1 Oct 2013
Hi Tia,
Yes TRAMADOL definately cuses thinning and hair loss, I was on it for only 6 months or so, realised what was happeneing and changed back to my old meds diahydracodein/paracetamol. Unfortunately the hair thinning is still ongoing, but I am now taking Vit.B6,E & iron as well as a multi vit. My doctor had never heard of tramadol and hair loss, he is now!! I just hope the vitamins wll help as I look a fright and will probably have to think about a wig!
sara12345
2 Oct 2013
Your hair loss is most likely not from Tramadol since your hair thinning is continuing after stopping the med and there is no known side effect of hair loss from Tramadol. You should take the advice above to have blood tests to test for your thyroid, plus there are other causes of hair loss which can be found through blood tests. I had all the blood tests after my hair came out when the doctor lightly stroked my hair. All were negative and the doctor then said that bad emotional or physical pain can cause hair loss. That was definitely the cause of mine as I answered above. And other meds, even over the counter ones, can cause hair loss. Tramadol may be important for the posting person to take, so I hope she listens to the other postings first.
Delila
2 Oct 2013
Hi Suzi & Sara, i just wanted to reply, as it is little know that Tramadol can actually cause hair loss. It is very rare, but has been listed as a potential side effect. I'm not sure if your hair loss, Suzi is from taking Tramadol, as Sara says, the thinning is continuing to be an issue. Just wanted to let you guys know this : )
Irene654
30 Nov 2013
I'm 46, German and surfing online on English websites to find out more about hair loss and opioids.
I used to have very thick, long blond hair. I started using Tramadol in July and after 5 month I've already lost 2/3 of my hair. I will be bold in 3 month.
At the beginning I didn't recognize it, because I had so much hair. But now it's pretty obvious.
I'm suffering from chronic pain, so I went on taking Tramadol because I don't see an alternative.
A week ago I got Morphine but the terror goes on. So the Morphine I took 2h ago in order to be able to sleep might be the last.
I don't know what to do. I seems useless to try a 3 opioid.
I don't want to live without hair... But I can't live with this pain...
But hair - it's dignity...
Well, I hope my comments (I wrote a few today) might help others.
I wrote a comment also in my country. There's not much to find about this problem and it might be of greater use to read my story.
I copied a link with an English Blog in which over 50 people report hair loss...
Well, all I found was a study on mice of a toxicologist. After being fed with lots of Tramadol or Tilidine they i. a. lost their hair. Well, and they got cancers etc...
Life can be so cruel, mean and unfair...
sara12345
3 Dec 2013
Tramadol was one of the medications that I was taking when I lost a lot of my hair, but Tramadol was not the cause. When the doctor lightly stroked my hair and got a handful of hair, she ordered every blood test to identify the cause. When all came back negative another doctor said that extreme physical or emotional pain could cause hair loss. Sure enough when my chronic extreme pain got better, my hair grew back. And when my pain got bad again, my hair fell out again. I'm not saying that the Tramadol couldn't be the cause, but it may be from your pain.
Irene654
3 Dec 2013
My hair loss is definitely caused by Tramadol, Morphine - and would go on with any other opioid. There is not the slightest doubt.
I'm in pain for more than 20 years - and had thick hair.
It started taking opioids... If one hasn't got a thyroid problem or a lack of iron than there is no real other explanation.
Of course people lose some hair aging, or males tend to have less and it can be genetic.
But to me it's a bit ridiculous to think of these causes if the hair loss starts after a few days or weeks with opioids.
It'd be such a strange an rare coincident - and therefore not very likely.
I don't remember my original post, if I mentioned that my GP and pain doctor didn't know about this side-effect...
I went to my GP yesterday and told him that I found many comments on English websites (not on German ones).
Suddenly he changed his opinion and admitted that there is this side-effect.
I might even have lost more than only 2/3 in 5 month. Maybe 3/4...
He said for him it wasn't such a big deal - but he's a male...
For me it's to surprising. I might need only some time to digest it. I don't know. I don't know how to live without pain meds. I'm in pain in several places. One are both hips - they are driving me crazy at night lying on the side. And it's only beginning arthritis. No one would operate me at this early stage. I know an older women, she has severe cox-arthritis but got her pain very late.
Me, personally - I hate this "psych-crap". MD's just want to blame their patients. They'd always try to avoid to blame themselves. That's pretty human.
So many people have emotional shocks in their lives - no one loses hair.
Or the 2 world-wars - the soldiers didn't come back without hair.
To me it's ridiculous to always look for a psychic answer.
I certainly won't talk to my hair and hope that it starts growing...
In the beginning I didn't want to see opioids as the cause too. I took iron pills... Checked my thyroid... Now I feel how ridiculous it was not to see the truth.
I'm more than sure - my hair will start to grow again - within the next days, weeks or month - if I manage to live without opioids.
But I'm not sure if I'm strong enough - after 20 years I've lost most of my strengh... A life with such great pain is simply inhuman. I'm not religous, to me it wouldn't be a sin to make an end to it. But it's not easy either and I'm still quite young...
I might accept to live without any hair one day... I could start googling cheap
wigs...
I'm 2 days off morphine - everyday I'm observing if the hair loss stopps.
Not to mention the withdrawal symptomes.
I'm German - my English isn't perfect...
sara12345
4 Dec 2013
It does sound like your hair loss is not from physical pain as mine was. Wish you the best with your pain and hair issues.
P.S. Your English is fine.
rollerskater
19 Feb 2012
Tia, have you had your thyroid checked? Thinning hair can be a side effect of a thyroid problem. Getting a T3, T4, TSH, Thyroid Peroxidase AB and Thyroglobulin AB could be helpful. Please discuss this with your doctor. I hope you find your answer soon. Feel free to ask more questions. Let us know what you find out. You may end up helping someone else. Blessings, Rollerskater
Shellica
17 Feb 2012
I would ask Ur Dr. But I did know a gal that was loosing her hair due to taking a LOT of pain meds & stress... plz, remember we R NOT Dr.'s, so plz ask Ur Dr.
DzooBaby
13 Feb 2012
Do you take any Advil or ibuprofen on a regular basis? Some of the OTC drugs will thin your hair if you are taking them on a regular basis.
Inactive
12 Feb 2012
Hello Tia,
No such possible side effect has been reported as of yet. I am sorry this is happeninig to you and welcome to the site.
I suggest you speak to your DR.
Click on the link please:
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/tramadol-side-effects.html
All the best,
Andres.
ddog12
12 Feb 2012
I agree tramadol does not effect your hair growth !
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- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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