Hi All,
Is anyone here had/have serious hair loss due to plaquenil side effect?
I found out that my hair loss is from the drug and not because of the lupus itself (if I stop taking it my hair loss stops in a month or two)
My doctor agrees its the cause but she doesn't have any answers for me except "buy a wig if necessary".
Maybe some of you had a similar experience and have a better solution for me?
Hi Mo144, I know how you feel as I also have lost hair over the last 10/15 years and am taking hydroxychloroquine. However I also take Azathioprine and Prednisolone and if you read the leaflets they all cause hair loss!! It’s the first thing I look for when starting any new medication. But, also like you, I have had no positive response when speaking about this to my Docs. I’ve managed to disguise the see through patches of hair but I’m now about to investigate hair augmentation (sewn in hair piece) as a solution. It looks very good but is expensive. A different solution to a wig but I’m hoping it will suit me and make my life a little easier. If you’re interested I’ll report back from my consultation.
Hair Loss was one of the 1st signs that my GP took seriously to get a Lupus diagnosis- after trying to get help for 5 yrs with:
major joint pain, extreme fatigue, feeling like having FLU all the time, dropping things, forgetfulness very random and weird, the list goes on....
Diagnosis was Postpartum depression, Allergies, and just “it’s really nothing” 🥴
So- with PATCH of hair loss it helped w/diagnosis & common in lupus patients.
That said- Placquenil can cause hair loss too.
A dermatologist could be helpful- if it is the Hydroxychloroquine/plaquenil, it’s the best non-invasive medicine for Lupus.
Without it I know people have much worse organ damage, etc - so unless a major allergic reaction (stomach issues or EYE TOXICITY, etc) it’s good to use w/correct low dose to keep lupus in check.
Dosage: By IDEAL BODY WEIGHT for height
Hair loss may not be drug induced!
IF it’s autoimmune alopecia then your immune system eg the T cells are attacking and damaging the hair follicles on the scalp. In fact the correct immunosuppressant medication may slow down autoimmune alopecia, often associated with lupus.
Hair loss and thinning problem
Hair loss and breakage 
Methotrexate + hair loss 
Hair loss
Where and what is your hair loss like?
