Hair loss & Cosopt?

[culleys]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has experienced hair loss taking Cosopt?

My hair starting shedding out of no where after a number of months on Cosopt.

I'm 50 years old and was diagnosed with IOP about 10 months ago.

I had an awful reaction to Lumigan and other drop in the first few months, maybe it was those drops that caused it. I still struggling with dry eye, burning and irritation. I've mentioned it to my specialist but tend to get brushed off.

I've been following the forum for awhile and appreciate your information sharing.

Many thanks,

Sandy

Ontario, Canada

[JanD236]

That’s an interesting question! I’ve suffered hair loss over the years I’ve been taking Cosopt but have never associated the two. Is it listed as a side effect?

I was in my mind 50s when I started taking Cosopt and put the hair loss down to menopause, age, a vitamin B12 deficiency or all of the above.

Just to mention that I would mention again the burning and irritation to the specialist. My mum is allergic to Cosopt and had the same symptoms which got worse rather than better with continued use. In the end her drops were changed to a different type.

[culleys in reply to JanD236]

Hi Jan, Thanks for your note. I happen to work in a medical library and was able to locate one case report of a gentleman who experienced hairloss with Timolol which resolved upon discontinuation. I'll continue taking all my vitamins (omega, D, & iron) and will follow up with my GP for some additional blood work. I was just curious if there were others who'd experienced this.

[muddledme]

Hello Culleys,

A fairly common cause of thinning hair is also an underactive thyroid gland. A simple blood test (Thyroid Function Test ) at the G.P surgery may help rule this out. Thyroid disfunction tends to be more common in women and as we age.

[culleys in reply to muddledme]

Yes we thought the same thing. My dry eye specialist actually had me do a second thyroid test as he thought for sure it was thyroid levels too but I couldn't have been more middle of the road there. The investigation continues. Thanks for your note!

[Vich81]

Hello. I’ve been on both Cosopt and lumigan for years and years and my hair is still very thick (I’m 40). I have been on preservative free eye drops for a long time as my super sensitive eyes cannot take the normal ones. Maybe you should ask to be switched to preservative free and if you don’t take any moisturising drops too then it’s no wonder you have sore eyes! I use hyloforte at various points during the day and clinitas gel during the night. If you don’t keep your dry eyes moist it can lead to a whole host of problems (especially if you wear contact lenses). If you haven’t been on eye drops that long then don’t suffer for the sake of it. There will be other ones you can try.

[culleys]

Hi Vich! Moisturing drops are my friend I alternate between Hylo and Thealoz Duo.

I did feel like I was brushed off when I complained of my reaction to the Lumigan. I could barely function day to day and everyone kept telling me to patient and maybe it was allergies. I've actually switched to a new ophthalmologist as I felt like I wasn't being heard. This learning to advocate for myself is a new thing to me. I appreciate forums like this, so thanks for your sharing your experiences. It is appreciated.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Culleys. hair loss from using Cosopt can happen but is under the rare side effects. If you can relate the hair loss since using the Cosopt, there a strong chance that it is related.

If you are experiencing bad side effects from drops, the consultant has to sit up and take notice. Their main aim is to make sure your glaucoma is controlled and maintained, BUT they have to take other things into account, such as side effects. There is a risk that someone may want to stop taking their drops because of the side effects, which is never a good thing.

In the UK, the NICE guidelines state that a person can be tried on 2-3 eyedrops, but if they do not work as well as expected or the patient experiences side effects, they have to look at other options, such as laser or surgery.

It may be worth asking your consultant if these are an option for you, as you are having such a horrid time with the eye drops.

[culleys in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks for your kind words Trish. That is very interesting to know regarding the NICE guidelines, and I appreciate your reassurance to keep advocating. I feel like my life has been turned upside down since last July. I'll keep the forum updated on any news.