Risedronate and hair loss

[Crategeus]

I commenced Risedronate in March 23 and tolerated this medication well. In July of 23, my hairdresser commented that my hair was thinning. I felt devastated at the time as I've always had thick hair. It is noted on the BNF that it is a common side effect of Bi Phosphonates but not on the information leaflet. Has anyone else experienced this side effect and observed hair re growth on stopping the medication?

[pjwjgw]

Hi, I was on Risedronate for 5 years (too long), it resulted in fracture of my right femur! This was repaired by my surgeon, told I also had a partial fracture in left femur, Risedronate stopped immediately. Although I had a few side effects from the medication I never suffered with thinning hair. I hope you find out what is causing it.

Regards

Pjw

[hjskev in reply to pjwjgw]

I experienced hair loss when I was on alendronic acid. I can't say my hair is thicker now I've stopped taking it but it has stopped shedding as much

[Crategeus in reply to hjskev]

Thank you for your reply. My hair has started to grow back three months after stopping the medication. It is still thin but no longer have a bald patch on the crown.

[Barrow2 in reply to pjwjgw]

Hello there. I have always had fine thin hair. In late 2022 I was diagnosed with osteopenia following an altercation with a garden hose in June resulting in an ankle fracture. Just after accident I went down with Covid. I noticed my hair was thinning a couple of months or so after Covid and my hairdresser told me hair loss after Covid was fairly common and it should regrow. I started Alendronic acid in Jan 2023. My hair loss did not seem to be any worse. In June I changed to Risendronate as I had been feeling as if my feet were made of concrete and even with Omeprazole I was suffering from gastritis. A year of Risendronate and I now have thinner sadder hair. No matter what I do I cannot get it to look as if it has any volume. The only good thing is that the gastritis has improved. I was just borderline osteopenia and am considering whether to just up my calcium and Vit D intake.