It would be easy if all the different types of hair loss were treated similarly. But they are not. One type of hair loss may be treated completely differently from another type of hair loss. In alphabetical order below, Dr. Donovan outlines the different types of medications for hair loss. These handouts are prepared specifically for patients of Dr. Donovan's practice. Use of these information sheets is at one’s own risk - these information sheets are for patients of Dr Donovan’s practice.
Acitretin is a medication that is a type of vitamin A tablet. It is often used in the hair loss clinic for treatment of some scarring alopecia such as lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
Download our Acitretin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication that is used for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, it has also been found to help patients with lichen planopilaris – even those who do not have type 2 diabetes.
Download our Pioglitazone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Adalimumab (HUMIRA)) is an injectable medication that is used for treatment of some types of hair loss including dissecting cellulitis and sometimes other conditions such as lichen plnaopilaris and folliculitis decalvans.
Download our Adalimumab Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Spironolactone (sometimes prescribed under the name Aldactone) is an oral tablet that helps inhibit the effects ‘androgen’ hormones. The drug is sometime used to treat hair loss in females. One research investigation from Australia suggested that it helps halt hair loss in about 35-40 % of female patients and led to an improvement in hair density in another 35-40 % of female patients.
Download our Aldactone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Download our Topical Spironolactone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Amitriptyline is a type of anti-depressant medication. However, it can also be used in treating a variety of scalp symptoms associated with pain, itching, and burning. It is a common treatment in our clinic for the scalp dysesthesias.
Download our Amitriptyline Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
6. Anthralin
This is a a topical medication often used off-label for promoting hair growth in those with alopecia areata. Anthralin can sometimes be used with other treatments such as minoxidil. Hair growth can be seen in about 8-12 weeks, but can occur as early as 5 weeks.
Download our Anthralin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
7. Anti-dandruff and anti-seborrheic shampoos
A variety of shampoos are available for patients with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Among the most effective agents are shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulphide, zinc pyrithione and ciclopirox. The following list has several sulphate free brands for those with sensitivities to sulphates.
Download our Anti-dandruff Shampoo List for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
A variety of shampoos are available for patients with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Among the most effective agents are shampoos containing ketoconazole, selenium sulphide, zinc pyrithione and ciclopirox. The following list has several sulphate free brands for those with sensitivities to sulphates.
Download our Apremilast (Otezla) Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
9. Aromatherapy for Alopecia Areata
Aromatherapy refers to the use of aromatic plant-based essential oils for massage into the scalp. A well conducted study from almost 2 decades ago showed benefit of aromatherapy in the treatment of the autoimmune disease alopecia areata.
Download our Aromatherapy Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a cholesterol medication. It is used to lower cholesterol and sometimes used to reduce inflammation in certain hair loss conditions.
Download our Atorvastin Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
11. Avodart (Generic: Dutasteride)
Dutasteride is an oral medication which is sometimes used "off label" in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men and post menopausal women as well as frontal fibrosing alopecia in post menopausal women. Those dose is typically 0.5 mg per day. The drug blocks the production of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone or “DHT.”
Download our Dutasteride Handout for Male Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Download our Dutasteride Handout for Female Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant used to treat several autoimmune conditions including lupus, dermatomyositis and alopecia areata.
Download our Azathioprine (Imuran) Handout for Patients
12. Azithromycin
Azithromycin is an antibiotic which is used to treat conditions such as folliculitis decalvans.
Download our Azithromycin Handout for Patients
13. Bicalutamide (Casodex) for Women
Bilcalutamide is an antiandrogen used “off label” in treating female androgenetic alopecia.
Download our Bicalutamide Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
14. Bilastine (trade name: Blexten)
Bilastine, which is also known by the trade name Blexten is an H1 non-sedating anti-histamine which is used for treating allergic symptoms such as allergic rhinitis and hives (urticaria). It is also used off label in our clinic for treating symptoms associated with scarring alopecias as well as in some of the dysesthesias.
Download our Bilastine Handout for Patients
Bimatoprost is FDA approved for helping promote longer eyelashes. It can sometimes be used 'off-label' for treating eyelash loss in individuals with alopecia areata and for promoting eyebrow growth in a whole range of different conditions.
Download our Latisse Handout and Consent Form - for Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
16. Casodex (Bicalutamide) for Women
Casodex, also know by the generic drug bilcalutamide is an antiandrogen used “off label” in treating female androgenetic alopecia.
Download our Casodex (Bicalutamide) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
17. Cellcept (generic mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
Cellcept (Mycophenolate mofetil) is a medication which reduced inflammatory - it is a type of immunosuppressive medication. It is sometimes used 'off-label' for scarring hair loss conditions such as discoid lupus and lichen planopilaris and rarely frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA).
Download our CellCept Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
18. Cephalexin
Cephalexin is an antibiotic which is used to treat conditions such as folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis.
Download our Cephalexin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
19. Cetirizine
Cetirizine is an antihistamine which is used to treat conditions such as lichen planopilaris.
Download our Cetirizine Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
20. Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is an oral antibiotic used to treat conditions such as folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis.
Download our Ciprofloxacin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
21. Clindamycin
Clindaymycin is an oral antibiotic used to treat conditions such as folliculitis decalvans.
Download our Clindamycin Handout for Dr. Donovan’ Patients
22. Cloxacillin
Cloxacillin is an oral antibiotic used to treat conditions such as folliculitis decalvans.
Download our Cloxacillin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
23. Cromolyn Sodium
Cromolyn sodium is a medication used in treating allergy type symptoms. It is FDA approved for mastocyctosis but its often used off label is some severe disabling allergy symptoms. The medication belongs to a group of medications known as “mast cell stabilizers.”
Download our Cromolyn Sodium Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
24. Cyclosporine
Ciprofloxacin is an oral immunosuppressive medication which is sometimes used to treat conditions such as lichen planopilaris, alopecia areata, discoid lupus.
Download our Cyclosporine Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
25. Dapsone
Dapsone is an oral medication which is sometimes used to treat conditions such as folliculitis decalvans.
Download our Dapsone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
26. Depression, Medications with Risk of Causing Depression
About one third of the US population is on medications which may carry some degree of increased risk to cause depression. Understanding these medications and their risks are important for all physicians.
Download Medication Induced Depression Handout - For Physicians
27. Diflucan
Diflucan is an oral medication which is used to treat and prevent yeast infections.
Download our Diflucan (Fluconazole) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
28. Diphencyprone
Diphencyprone (or "DPCP") is a topical medication which is sometimes used to treat conditions such as alopecia areata. DPCP is applied to the scalp in order to cause irritation and an allergic response. In some ways, this “fools” the immune system into mounting a response against the DPCP chemical rather than against the hair follicle. This helps the hair to regrow in many patients.
Download our DPCP Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Download our DPCP Consent Form for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Information about our DPCP Program and FAQs about DPCP
29. Derma rolling for Ophiasis Alopecia Areata
Derma rolling is a home-based procedure that can be used by patients with alopecia areata (ophiasis pattern) with the goal to further enhance hair growth with the current agents they are using. Dermarolling is most commonly done with use of minoxidil but other growth promoting agents are sometimes used as well. Derma rolling is essentially a method of inducing micro-wounds into the skin to both enhance absorption of growth promoting agents as well as to itself induce activation of follicular stem cells.
Download our Dermarolling Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
30. Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Hair Care Products
A variety of formulas exist for do-it-yourself shampoos, conditioners, dry shampoos, hair sprays, gels and mousse. These products are popular with some as they avoid some potential allergens.
Download “Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Hair Care Products” Handout
30. Doxycycline
Doxycycline is an oral medication which is sometimes used to treat conditions such as lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, folliculitis decalvans and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. The medication is an antibiotic, and closely related to tetracycline. Despite its role as an antibacterial agent, it can also be used to reduce inflammation in many types of immune based hair diseases.
Download our Doxycycline Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Download our Low Dose Doxycycline Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
31. Dutasteride
Dutasteride is an oral medication which is sometimes used "off label" in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men and post menopausal women as well as frontal fibrosing alopecia in post menopausal women. Those dose is typically 0.5 mg per day. The drug blocks the production of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone or “DHT.”
Download our Dutasteride Handout for Male Patients of Dr. Donovan
Download our Dutasteride Handout for Female Patients of Dr. Donovan
32. Dupilumab (Dupixent)
Dupilumab is an injectable treatment that is sometimes used off late for the treatment of alopecia areata. It is not formally approved for hair loss but is approved for children 6 and over and adults who have atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is also approved for some types of asthma (eosinophilic type and steroid dependent types) and some types of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
Download our Dupilumab Handout for Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Famotidine is an H2 receptor antagonist used for several reasons including reducing acid and blocking the effects of histamine in those with allergy.
Download our Famotidine Handout for Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
34. Finasteride
Finasteride is an oral medication which is FDA approved to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) at a dose of 1 mg per day. The drug blocks the production of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone or “DHT” and helps approximately 90 % of men to either halt hair loss or increase hair density.
Download our Finasteride Handout for Male Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Download our Finasteride Handout for Female Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Download our Topical Finasteride Handout
Finasteride Renewal Form for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
35. Fluconazole
Diflucan is an oral medication which is used to treat and prevent yeast infections.
Download our Fluconazole (Diflucan) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Download our Fluconazole Handout for Seborrheic Dermatitis for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Furosemide (also known as Lasix) is a medication that helps reduce the fluid retention that some medications (like minoxidil might cause). Furosemide is not used for treating hair loss but is used (short term) to manage some of the side effects that hair loss medications might cause.
Download our Furosemide (Lasix) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
37. Gabapentin
Gabapentin is an anti-seizure medication which blocks nerves. It can also be used to reduce itching, pain, burning in the scalp. Topical gabapentin refers to a form of gabapentin that is used topically rather than orally.
Download our Oral Gabapentin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Download our Topical Gabapentin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
38. Hair Transplantation
For a link to hair transplantation about how modern hair transplants are performed, click here
Adalimumab (HUMIRA)) is an injectable medication that is used for treatment of some types of hair loss including dissecting cellulitis and sometimes other conditions such as lichen plnaopilaris and folliculitis decalvans.
Download our HUMIRA (Adalimumab) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Hydrochlorothiazide is a blood pressure medication and diuretic. It is sometimes used for managing blood pressure issues and sometimes used for managing fluid retention (edema).
Download our Hydrochlorothiazide Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
41. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
Hydroxychloroquine (sometimes referred to to under it's popular trade name“Plaquenil”) is a type of anti-inflammatory medication used to treat some types of hair loss such as lichen planopilaris and sometimes discoid lupus and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
Download our Hydroxychloroquine Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Many typical shampoo ingredients can cause allergy and irritation. These include fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, MCI/CI, propylene glycol, parabens, formaldehyde releasers and vitamin E (tocopherol). The following are shampoos which are useful for patients with particular allergens.
Download our Hypoallergenic Shampoo List for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
43. Hypoallergenic Hair Care Products
It’s possible to create hypoallergenic products oneself. These can be made with few allergens and can be helpful for those who wish to limit allergens or needs to limit allergens due to allergy.
Download our Hypoallergenic Do it Yourself Hair Care Products
Imuran (azathioprine) is an immunosuppressant used to treat several autoimmune conditions including lupus, dermatomyositis and alopecia areata.
Download our Imuran (Azathioprin) Handout for Patients
44. Iron Supplements
Iron supplements may be recommended when iron storage levels (ferritin) are deemed to be low.
Download our Iron Supplementation Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Dr. Donovan's Articles on Iron 1: What does an elevated ferritin mean?
Dr. Donovan's Articles on Iron 2: Ferritin Levels: Factual or Frantic?
Dr. Donovan's Articles on Iron 3: The Benefits of Checking Iron in Women with Hair Loss
Dr. Donovan's Articles on Iron 4: The General Principles of Taking Iron
45. Isotretinoin
This is a type of vitamin A pill. It is rarely used for certain types of scarring hair loss conditions, such as folliculitis decalvans and dissecting cellulitis.
Download our Isotretinoin Handout for Dr. Donovan’ss Patients
Itraconazole is an anti-fungal medication. It belongs to a class of drugs known as the ‘azole antifungals.' In some cases, it is used for management of refractory (tough to treat) seborrheic dermatitis.
Download our Itraconazole Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
47. Ivermectin (Stromectol)
Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic agent. In the hair clinic, it is commonly used for treating scalp Demodex infestations and scalp rosacea subtypes.
Download our Ivermectin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Ixekizumab is an injection based treatment FDA and Health Canada approved in 2016 for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The drug is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that selectively finds with IL-17 A and inhibits its interaction with the IL17 receptor. The cost of ixekizumab for a typical patient is $4,104 a month, or approximately $ 50,000 per year.
Download our Ixekizumab (Taltz) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
49. Jakafi/Jakavi (Ruxolitininb)
Ruxolitinib (also known by the name “Jakafi” and "Jakavi") is a newer medication now approved for use in various blood disorders). In fact, the drug is formally approved by the FDA for patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Ruxolitinib is presently being investigated for potential use in treating alopecia areata.
Download our Jakafi/Jakavi Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Cortisones are medications which act to reduce inflammation. The injection forms are a key part of the treatment for many types of hair loss, including alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, discoid lupus, pseudopelade and traction alopecia.
Download our Kenalog Injection Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Terbinafine (Lamisil) is an oral medication which is sometimes used in the treatment of refractory scalp and skin seborrheic dermatitis.
Download our Lamisil (Terbinafine) Handout for Donovan’s Patients
52. Lasix (Furosemide)
Lasix is a medication that helps reduce the fluid retention that some medications (like minoxidil might cause). Lasix is not used for treating hair loss but is used (short term) to manage some of the side effects that hair loss medications might cause.
Download our Lasix (Furosemide) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
53. Latisse (generic: bimatoprost)
Bimatoprost is FDA approved for helping promote longer eyelashes. It can sometimes be used 'off-label' for treating eyelash loss in individuals with alopecia areata and for promoting eyebrow growth in a whole range of different conditions.
Download our Latisse Handout and Consent Form (Only for Patients Who Have Seen Dr Donovan)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a cholesterol medication. It is used to lower cholesterol and sometimes used to reduce inflammation in certain hair loss conditions.
Download our Atorvastatin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
It has come to be understood that low doses of naltrexone (i.e. 1.5 to 4.5 mg) have a remarkable effect on some people’s immune systems. Studies have suggested possible benefit in halting lichen planopilaris.
Download our Low dose Naltrexone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
56. Low level laser therapy (LLLT)
In recent years, many studies have shown that LLLT based laser treatment with red light wavelengths can help promote hair growth. Nowadays, a number of devices are available on the market. No head to head comparative studies have been done to show one laser device is more effective than the other.
Lyrica is a medication that is believed to work by calming or settling overactive nerves. It can also be used for scalp pain and burning in the so called ‘scalp dysesthesia’ syndromes
Download our Lyrica Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Metformin is a medication that is formally FDA approved for treating type 2 diabetes. The drug helps restore the body’s response to insulin. Metformin can reduce the liver’s ability to make glucose, reduce the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to absorb glucose and increase insulin sensitivity. Metformin may have other mechanisms as well. It is for these reasons below that we often consider using it in hair loss conditions. The drug may have an impact on autoimmune diseases (including effects on monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils). The drug may improve gut microbiota and have an “anti-fibrotic” effect as well. These effects together make them ideal to consider for some patients with scarring alopecia as well as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Download our Metformin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
59. Methotrexate
Methotrexate is a tablet which is used to “reduce” the activity of the immune system. Unlike many pills, methotrexate is used only once per week. It is used for many hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata, discoid lupus, frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris.
Download our Methotrexate Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Link to Folic Acid Dosing in Children
60. Metronidazole
Metronidazole is a type of antibiotic medication. Interestingly, it can also help to stop inflammation and is therefore occasionally used in condition such as lichen planopilaris.
Download our Metronidazole Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
61. Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the first FDA approved treatment for hair loss. It is applied directly to the scalp. Despite its use for nearly 30 years, the exact means by which it promotes hair growth is not completely understood. Minoxidil, however, does not affect hormones.
Download our Minoxidil Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
62. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
Mycophenolate mofetil is a medication which reduced inflammatory - it is a type of immunosuppressive medication. It is sometimes used 'off-label' for scarring hair loss conditions such as discoid lupus and lichen planopilaris and rarely frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA).
Download our Mycophenolate Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
N-acetyl cysteine is an oral antioxidant medication sometimes used in the treatment of trichotillomania.
Download our N-acetyl cysteine Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
It has come to be understood that low doses of naltrexone (i.e. 1.5 to 4.5 mg) have a remarkable effect on some people’s immune systems. Studies have suggested possible benefit in halting lichen planopilaris.
Download our Low dose Naltrexone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
65. Onion Juice Mask
Onions are on the list of treatments that work in alopecia areata based on a 2002 study that compared the benefits of onion extract in 23 patients with alopecia areata to 15 patients who used placebo (tap water). Participants applied it twice daily for 2 months. At the end of 2 months, 86.9 % of participants had regrowth compared to just 13% (2 of 15) using tap water.
Download our Onion Juice Mask for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
66. Otezla
Otezla is a medication which targets a pathway inside cells known as the PDE4 pathway. It is typically used to treat a skin disease known as psoriasis but may occasionally be used for other reasons as well.
Download our Otezla Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Pimecolimus is a non steroid topical cream that is used to stop inflammation in many types of inflammatory hair loss conditions such frontal fibrosing alopecia.
Download our Elidel Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
68. Pioglitazone
Pioglitazone (Actos) is an oral medication that is used for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, it has also been found to help patients with lichen planopilaris – even those who do not have type 2 diabetes.
Download our Pioglitazone Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
69. Platelet rich plasma
Platelet-rich plasma, (shortened to PRP) is increasingly being used in hair loss around the world. PRP has been used by physicians since the 1990′s in various areas of medicine. PRP treatments involve using a small amount of the patient’s own blood to generate an injectable form of hair treatment. PRP contains many growth factors that stimulate hair follicles. We do not perform PRP in our practice.
70. Plaquenil (generic: hydroxychloroquine)
Hydroxychloroquine (sometimes referred to to under it's popular trade name“Plaquenil”) is a type of anti-inflammatory medication used to treat some types of hair loss such as lichen planopilaris and sometimes discoid lupus and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
Download our Plaquenil Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
71. Prednisone
Prednisone belongs to a class of medications called corticosteroids. Drugs like prednisone are commonly used to reduce the activity of the immune system. Usually, the drug is prescribed in situations where the immune system is too active - such as autoimmune conditions. The actual dose of Prednisone will vary depending on the type of hair loss being treated. In most situations, oral corticosteroid medication are recommended for short periods of time (a few weeks to a few months). Prednisone is sometimes prescribed for a few months in patients with alopecia areata and lichen planopilaris. Used carefully, cautiously and for short periods, the medication can be very helpful.
Download our Prednisone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a medication that is believed to work by calming or settling overactive nerves. It can also be used for scalp pain and burning in the so called ‘scalp dysesthesia’ syndromes
Download our Pregabalin (Lyrica) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
73. Propecia (generic: finasteride)
Finasteride is an oral medication which is FDA approved to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) at a dose of 1 mg per day. The drug blocks the production of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone or “DHT” and helps approximately 90 % of men to either halt hair loss or increase hair density.
Download our Finasteride Handout for Male Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Download our Finasteride Handout for Female Patients of Dr. Donovan’s Practice
Download our Topical Finasteride Handout
74. Reactine
Reaction (cetirizine) is an antihistamine which is used to treat conditions such as lichen planopilaris and alopecia areata.
Download our Reactine Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
75. Rifampin
Rifampin is an antibiotic medication. It is a well known medication for treating tuberculosis but interestingly can be used in many other conditions -such as the hair loss condition folliculitis decalvans.
Download our Rifampin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
76. Rogaine (Minoxidil)
Minoxidil is the first FDA approved treatment for hair loss. It is applied directly to the scalp. Despite its use for nearly 30 years, the exact means by which it promotes hair growth is not completely understood. Minoxidil, however, does not affect hormones.
Download our Minoxidil Handout for Patients
Download our Oral Minoxidil Handout and Consent Form - for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
77. Ruxolitinib
Ruxolitinib (also known by the name “Jakafi” and "Jakavi") is a newer medication now approved for use in various blood disorders). In fact, the drug is formally approved by the FDA for patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Ruxolitinib is presently being investigated for potential use in treating alopecia areata.
Download our Ruxolitinib Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
78. Shampoos for Sensitive Scalp
A variety of shampoos are helpful for patients with scalp allergy, scalp irritant contact dermatitis, burning scalp syndrome, and scalp dysesthesias in general.
Download our List of Shampoos for Sensitive Scalp
The cholesterol medications simvastatin and ezetimibe may help treat some forms of alopecia areata.
Download our Cholesterol Medication Protocol Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Acitretin is a medication that is a type of vitamin A tablet. It is often used in the hair loss clinic for treatment of some scarring alopecia such as lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia.
Download our Acitretin Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
81. Spironolactone
Spironolactone (sometimes prescribed under the name Aldactone) is an oral tablet that helps inhibit the effects ‘androgen’ hormones. The drug is sometime used to treat hair loss in females. One research investigation from Australia suggested that it helps halt hair loss in about 35-40 % of female patients and led to an improvement in hair density in another 35-40 % of female patients.
Download our Spironolactone Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Download our Topical Spironolactone Handout
Sporonox (Itraconazole) is an anti-fungal medication. It belongs to a class of drugs known as the ‘azole antifungals.' In some cases, it is used for management of refractory (tough to treat) seborrheic dermatitis.
Download our Sporonox (Itraconazole) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
83. Steroids, topical forms
Topical formulations of corticosteroids include steroid lotions, creams, gels, foams, ointments and shampoos. A variety of different strengths are available form the very weak hydrocortisone strength (so called class VII) to the very strong clobetasol strength (so called class I). Topical formulations of steroids are used for a range of hair loss conditions that have inflammation - including alopecia areata alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia, lichen planopilaris, discoid lupus, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.
Download our Topical Steroid Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Read more about topical steroids:
Article 1 - Clobetasol for Hair Loss
Article 2 - Are topical steroids safe?
Cortisones are medications which act to reduce inflammation. The injection forms are a key part of the treatment for many types of hair loss, including alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, discoid lupus, pseudopelade and traction alopecia.
Download our Steroid Injection Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
85. Stromectol (Ivermectin)
Stomectrol (generic name ivermectin) is an anti-parasitic agent. In the hair clinic, it is commonly used for treating scalp Demodex infestations and scalp rosacea subtypes.
Download our Stromectol (Ivermectin) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
86. Sulfasalazine
Sulfasalazine is a medication which is commonly used in treating inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis but has been shown to be helpful in a proportion of patients with the hair loss conditions called alopecia areata. Your doctor will advise how this is to be used. Baseline blood tests will be ordered BEFORE you start sulfasalazine (complete blood counts, kidney and liver, folate, B12 levels, urinalysis with microscopy, G6PD). Blood tests will be checked every few weeks for a couple of months, then less often afterwards.
Download our Sulfasalazine Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
87. Sunscreens (for frontal fibrosing alopecia patients) - non-nano titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sunscreens
There is only a very limited amount of evidence right now to support that sunscreen use contributes in some way to the development of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA). The exact mechanism still has to be determined but my recommendations at present is that patients with FFA consider avoiding cosmetic products with titanium dioxide “nano particles” and avoid organic filter ingredients as well until we get better evidence one way or another. Avoidance of zinc oxide nanoparticles might make sense too - although granted there is less evidence for this. It’s important for our patients to be aware that we can’t say for sure if this is actually the right way to proceed. For now, I encourage patients for now to look for sunscreens that:
1) do not contain “nanoparticles” of either zinc or titanium dioxide and
2) do not contain organic filter ingredients such as avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone.
Download our Sunscreen Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
Sunscreens, Facial Moisturizers and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Are we barking up the wrong tree?
Tacrolimus ointment (also known by the brand name Protopic) is a "non-steroid" topical treatment. Like topical steroids, tacrolimus helps to reduce inflammation and is often even used together with topical steroids. Tacrolimus is used topically in several scarring hair loss conditions.
Download our Tacrolimus Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Ixekizumab is an injection based treatment FDA and Health Canada approved in 2016 for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The drug is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that selectively finds with IL-17 A and inhibits its interaction with the IL17 receptor. The medication costs an average patient $4,104 a month, or approximately $ 50,000 per year.
Download our Taltz (Ixekizumab) Handout for Dr Donovan’s Patients
Lamisil (Terbinafine) is an oral medication which is sometimes used in the treatment of refractory scalp and skin seborrheic dermatitis.
Download our Oral Terbinafine (Lamisil) Handout for Donovan’s Patients
91. Tofacitinib
Tofacitinib (also known by the name “Xeljanz”) is a newer medication now approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In fact, the drugs is formally approved by the FDA for patients with moderate to severe RA. Tofacitinib is presently being investigated for potential use in treating alopecia areata.
Download our Tofacitinib Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
92. Topical Ketamine, Amitriptyline and Lidocaine (TKAL)
This is a topical formulation of ketamine, amitriptyline and lidocaine. It may help to block itching and burning in patients with various scalp dysesthesias. TKAL is a topical compounded product containing 10% ketamine, 5% amitriptyline, and 5% lidocaine.
Download our Topical TKAL Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
93. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF inhibitors)
TNF is a chemical (cytokine) that is often produced in great amounts during inflammation. TNF blocking medications helps stop the action of TNF. These include medications such as etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), and infliximab. These drugs are used in a limited number of hair disorders, including dissecting cellulitis.
94. Xeljanz (generic: tofacitinib)
Xeljanz (also known by the generic name “tofacitinib”) is a newer medication now approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In fact, the drugs is formally approved by the FDA for patients with moderate to severe RA. Xeljanz (Tofacitinib) is presently being investigated for potential use in treating alopecia areata.
Download our Xeljanz Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
Zinc plays a key role in cell metabolism, including hair follicles. The body can’t store zinc, so humans need to get from the diet each day. You may be advised to start zinc for your particular type of hair loss. Depending on your type of hair loss, Dr. Donovan uses different amounts of zinc and for different periods of time.
Download our Zinc Handout for Patients
96. Zopiclone
Zopilcone is a medication that is sometimes used to manage sleeping difficulties in patients using higher doses of corticosteroids. The medication itself is not a hair growth medication.
Download our Zopiclone Handout for Patients
Roflumilast is an inhibitor of PDE-4 and used for the treatment of psoriasis. Dr Donovan may use Roflumilast off label in the treatment of select hair and scalp issues.
Download our Zoryve (Roflumilast) Handout for Patients
98. Zyrtec
Zyrtec (cetirizine) is an antihistamine which is used to treat conditions such as lichen planopilaris and alopecia areata.
Download our Zyrtec (Cetirizine) Handout for Dr. Donovan’s Patients
