My Medications Seem to Stop Working. Can you help?
Do Medications Just Stop Working?
I’ve selected this question below for this week’s question of the week. It allows us to review the concept of perceived hair shedding in males.
Question
I am a 24 year old male. I have been on topical Rogaine and oral finasteride for 7 months and doing really well. My results were really good and everyone noticed the change. Now, in the last month I notice more hair shedding than normal. Do you think my treatment is now stopping working?
Answer
There are many many reasons why you are finding hairs on your pillow. It is important not to have blinders on to all the possibilities and it is also important to have a proper examination. No, if finasteride and minoxidil worked so well in just 6 months it does not just “stop working” like you have been wondering.
Possible options that you and your doctor can review are:
a) you have new onset seborrheic dermatitis or a flares or prior seborrheic dermatitis that now needs treating
b) you have various triggers of telogen effluvium like stress, low iron, thyroid problems, other medications or supplements started, new vaccinations received, and weight loss.
c) other conditions are extremely unlikely but include alopecia areata and other immune based issues.
You are going to want to go through all these factors carefully. Also your hair styling products will have different ability to pull out hairs so those need review.
If you have not had blood tests done you need them so be sure to see your doctor. The exact tests you need depend on your story but include CBC, TSH, ferritin, 25 hydroxy vitamin D at the minimum. Other tests will depend on your entire medical story including ANA, RPR, zinc, and others.
Conclusion:
It’s pretty unlikely that medications just stop working so quickly in a situation like this. This should not be the first focus here. The first focus should be on understanding what other factors could be contributing to shedding especially the triggers of telogen effluvium.