I'm 61, aside from a little arthritis I am fit & healthy. Taking 40mg of Pravastatin (switched from Simvistatin about 4 months ago due to Pravastatin's lower cost). Last few months I have become increasingly upset about what seems to be significant hair thinning. I never had thick hair, but I don't think I'm imagining a very noticeable thinning; more hair in the sink, less on my head, especially around the front top. My only other Rx is a weekly (generic) Fosomax which I've taken for many years. I know hair loss is a rare but occasionally reported side effect with some statins. I didn't seem to suffer this under the previous statin; could the Pravastatin be the cause?
Does pravastatin cause hair loss?
Question posted by ladyrunner on 4 Oct 2010
Last updated on 21 October 2021 by papa719
Added 15 April 2012:
I wanted to add that 2 months ago (I am now nearing age 63) I went off my statin drug, with my doctor's OK. I will need to get a blood test in May to check my cholesterol, but he agreed that I don't have a lot of other risk factors (e.g., normal blood pressure, no family history of strokes, etc.) and that evolving medical opinion involves being a little less inclined to put everyone on statins as soon as their number hits a certain level. I won't know for another month how much my numbers have increased; I am certainly hoping I'm not immediately back in a danger zone, and will re-post at that time.
Meanwhile, I want to share that I have started adding a supplement of Chia Seeds (yes, like used on the old Chia Pet!) to my diet. Available in Whole Foods in bags of about 8 ounces, they cost about $6.00-$10.00 depending on sale prices.
I add 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons to my daily yogurt or apple sauce (they look like poppy seeds and are absolutely tasteless, just adding a little crunch). There is some anecdotal evidence that they are a help in controlling cholesterol, and I have a freind who is not able to take any of the statins due to severe reactions. Two months after starting with chia seeds, her doctor was amazed that she had shaved 20 points off her cholesterol.
As for my hair issue, it is too soon to see if I have any noticeable regrowth; it may never happen, or I may be entering a phase where my age and/or my DNA (mom had thin hair) may be working against me permanently.
At the very least, I hope to arrest further statin-related hair loss, if in fact the Prevasatin was the major cause.
Stay tuned...
Added 15 April 2012:I wanted to update that 2 months ago (I am now nearing age 63) I went off my statin drug, with my doctor's OK. I will need to get a blood test in May to check my cholesterol, but he agreed that I don't have a lot of other risk factors (e.g., I have normal blood pressure, no family history of strokes, etc.) and that evolving medical opinion stresses not rushing to put everyone on statins as soon as their number hits a certain level. I won't know for another month how much my numbers have increased; I am certainly hoping I'm not immediately back in a danger zone, and will re-post at that time.
Meanwhile, I want to share that I have started adding a supplement of Chia Seeds (yes, like used on the old Chia Pet!) to my diet. Available in Whole Foods in bags of about 8 ounces, they cost about $6.00-$10.00 depending on sale prices.
I add 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons to my daily yogurt or apple sauce (they look like poppy seeds and are absolutely tasteless, just add a little crunch). There is a fair amount of anecdotal evidence that they are a help in controlling cholesterol, and I have a friend who is not able to take any of the statins due to severe reactions. Two months after starting with chia seeds, her doctor was amazed that she had shaved 20 points off her cholesterol.
As for my hair issue, it is too soon to see if I have any noticeable regrowth; it may never happen, or I may be entering a phase where my age and/or my DNA (mom had thin hair) may be working against me permanently.
At the very least, I hope to arrest further statin-related hair loss, if in fact the Prevasatin was the major cause.
Stay tuned...
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3 Answers
papa719
22 Oct 2021
I used Pravastatin for sever years with no indication of hair loss. I have since stopped using this medication for reduction of medications by my doctor.
Lonestarlady61
26 Dec 2010
I just wanted to say that I too am experiencing significant hair loss and wonder if my daily dose of 80 mg of Pravastatin is the cause. I have no family history of hair loss and I used to have really thick hair. Now I notice that a lot of hair comes out when I shampoo or brush it. I am also losing mine around my center part and close to my forehead. It is becoming more noticeable all the time. I'll make a doctors appointment and I think I'll stop taking the Pravastatin for a while too.
Ryshekia
15 April 2012
I am 36 and started Pravastatin 10mg on 1/21/12 in addition to simvastatin 40mg. After a month, my beautician, who is my sister and a professional noticed my normally very thick hair was thinning at an alarming rate. I wash my hair and balls of hair are in the shower or sink. My hair has never been this thin. I've shared my concerns with my care provider but nothing has changed so I'm taking it upon myself to taper off the pravastatin and continue with simvastatin before I'm totally bald-headed.
Pat66
23 Sep 2014
Hi there, I noticed these are older posts. I am also losing quite a bit of hair. I assume that it is from the Pravastatin. I have talked to my Doctor and have stopped taking it, about 3 weeks now, and am still experiencing hair loss. Can anyone who has gone through this tell me when the hair loss stopped, or did they continue to lose hair? Has anyone experienced new hair growth? I would like to know how to deal with this as best I can. My doctor would like me to try Fluvastatin now, does anyone have any knowledge of that, and possible hair loss. Thanks for sharing any information for those who have gone through this .
ladyrunner
23 Sep 2014
I started this thread 4 years ago and am updating my status. I stopped taking statins several years ago as mentioned. My cholesterol numbers of course went up (statins do work quite well, as we know!) but my HDL and LDL were still in a good ratio and my HDL is very good (about 100) probably because I run about 10 miles a week (3.5 miles 3 days a week), though I don't do much other exercise.
I don't think stopping the statins helped regrowth, and I may never know if they caused the thinning to begin with, as fine hair runs in my family and I'm obviously getting older..
What I can say is I started using Rogaine about 2 years ago and I am extremely happy with the results. (and no, I am NOT a shill for the product!) It took about 3-6 months to see results, but I now have at least the same amount of hair at 65 as I did at 20. Of course it's quite gray now (I don't color it) and is a bit coarser than before but that is expected with the product.
One other thing I want to add, and I am not advocating this for all women, (and NEVER for pregnant women), and that is this: The dermatologist said to go ahead and use the MEN'S Rogaine (the liquid, NOT the foam) which at 5% is twice the concentration of the women's version. (The label says not for women, etc. etc). Another female friend of mine (about my age) uses the 5% and for both of us the results have been exceptional.
I have never seen anyone talk about women using the higher concentrate, and of course the company is worried about liability and would not advise it, etc., so I am sticking my neck out and saying that Men's Rogaine really worked for me.
I buy the 3-pak, which lasts for 3 months, either at WalMart or with a discount coupon from CVS, etc. (BJ's never seems to have the 3-month in the liquid.)
Pat66
5 Nov 2014
Thanks for sharing your information. I went to see my doctor and she also wants me to use the Rogaine, 5%, once a day. I stopped the Pravastatin about 2 months ago, but am still losing lots of hair daily. I have been on the Rogaine for almost 4 weeks now, still losing lots of hair, but my hairdresser said I have a bunch of new growth, just hope I don't lose all my hair. Do you remember how long the hair shedding lasted? Do you still experience that? Do you use the liquid or foam? I am using the liquid in the dropper and it makes my hair dry and stiff. I am going to look for a cap or hat today, cause my hair is so thin I am very self conscious. I just hate this, and it's hard to get information, so thank you for your help. Also, do you still use Rogaine? Thanks again, Pat
nrgerard
21 Sep 2015
I was prescribed Prevastatin a month ago and noticed I was losing handfuls of hair while showering and styling. I stopped taking it on my own, and noticed my hair loss has stopped. I'm also taking iron supplements and Biotin. I have an appointment with my doctor to discuss other options for a statin replacement.Losing hair is not cool.
leo2426
18 Sep 2017
Some of these comments are from a couple years ago and I was wondering if any new developments since. I am 73, exercise almost everyday and have had high cholesterol for ages. Both Hdl and Ldl are high, so my ratio is in the normal range and I thought wth exercise, the good ratio, and a normal weight, plus blood pressure medicine, I was safe. Then I had an ischemic stroke two months agao. Let me back up and say I tried statins a couple of years ago and they made my hair thin so I stopped taking them. Because my good cholesterol was balancing the bad, the doc said it would be okay. Then I had a root canal and the same night I had a stroke in my sleep. I think some plaque loose in the surgery and made me have a stroke. Anyhow now I'm back on 80 mg of Lipitor and my hair is thinning. It's very distressing and I'm almost ready to go off the statin and take what comes. I really believe the dental surgery had something to do with the stroke. I don't want to have another stroke but I dont'want to be bald either. Any suggestions?
ladyrunner
18 Sep 2017
I share your pain! I am now 68, have been off statins for several years, though still taking (generic) Fosomax for osteoporosis.
Like you, I had high HDL along with high LDL, so the "ratio" was good, but the bad cholesterol number was too high, which is why my doctor wanted me to go back on statins. Because I had no other risk factors and because the medical thinking on prescribing statins has evolved, my doctor and I agreed I could go off them and just keep an eye on the numbers, etc.
If the theory is that the stroke was caused by the dental procedure, is it worth consulting with an endocrinologist or other specialist to see if it might be safe to reduce or even go off the statin?
Meanwhile, I would like to urge you to try Rogaine. It saved my life!
In fact I no longer use Rogaine, as the generics are exactly the same and cost way less.
But here's the secret: you want to use the MEN'S version (twice the strength of the women's) and the LIQUID, not the foam. (You didn't say if you were a man or a woman).
You use the provided eye dropper to direct a little into the front sections of your scalp that need help. I then kind of run my fingers through it to massage it in a bit, and that's it. Don't wash your hair for at least 30 minutes to give it a chance to absorb. Twice a day, morning and night.
It will take a few months to see any results, so be patient, but I have been using it for several years now, and it's probably the first thing I would grab if the house were on fire! lol.
Good luck!
Inactive
4 Oct 2010
You are experiencing a rare side effect from pravastatin: hair loss.
Do contact your doctor and let him / her know about thi most unpleasent rare side effect.
Take care.
Related topics
Further information
- Pravastatin uses and safety info
- Pravastatin prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Pravastatin (detailed)
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