Copaxone and hair : Anyone who has been on... - My MSAA Community

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Copaxone and hair

Rileymom profile image
25 Replies

Anyone who has been on Copaxone have hair loss/thinning due to drug? My neurologist & Shared Solutions staff say “it was not reported in clinical trials.”

If anyone has experienced this, did anything help? I’m on 5,000 mcg of Biotin to see if that helps.

😊 thank you

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Rileymom profile image
Rileymom
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25 Replies
Kenu profile image
Kenu

I was on this for ten years with no hair loss👍🐾. Ken

hairbrain4 profile image
hairbrain4

I've been on it for 8 years & no hair loss until I went to the 40's 3x a week. I've been on that for 6 months now. During that time I also had a colonoscopy & after that my hair has really been falling out, I assume from the anesthesia. What I get from Copaxone are skin plaques. Spots where skin cells build up. They itch, are ugly and annoying. I can scratch them off but they grow back. But there are a lot of things that can cause hair loss. Several different medications & conditions will cause hair loss. Stress will cause hair loss, diet, shampoo & other hair products will also cause hair loss. You need to rule out any medical reasons, ie. low thyroid & medications to correct it. Then look at things you are doing differently than you used to, like eating habits, different foods, changing hair products etc. Take it one thing at a time and you will eventually find the culprit.

Rileymom profile image
Rileymom in reply tohairbrain4

Thank you! That’s s bummer about your skin plaques. I have been in this less than a year and will heed your advice👍🏼

Raingrrl profile image
Raingrrl

I was on Copaxone for 10+ years. No noticible hair loss.

greaterexp profile image
greaterexp

I had some thinning, but realized it was due to red yeast rice my doctor had prescribed. Once I stopped the red yeast rice, the thinning reversed. I haven't read of anyone having a hair thinning issue with Copaxone, but everyone is different.

kdali profile image
kdali

None for me. Any system shock can cause hair loss though. I hope the biotin works! Most dieting forums have postings on hair loss and what they take for it to help.

Shellilee profile image
Shellilee

I was on Betaseron and was in the 4% who had hair loss. It would come out in clumps, and I would save it in ziplocks to show my doctor every appointment. While it is rare, it is a side effect for a small small percentage of people. Maybe Copaxone is the same way. It eventually subsided after many months. My hair is not as full as it once was and I found hair everywhere. I was on Betaseron for 14 years so I put up with in a long time . No longer on it, and my hair is slowly getting thicker. I did 5,000 Biotin like you for years and years, and still do. Best of luck to you. It's not a fun side effect!

Anonymous52 profile image
Anonymous52

Was on copaxone for a few years, never experienced hair loss. However, i started Ocrevus in January (2 half doses) and had my first full treatment past July. I’ve had abundant hair loss the past 6-7 months. I pray supernatural healing over you in the Name of Jesus, may your health be fully restored and may your hair grow back as abundantly as your health is restored. Jesus loves you. ❤️

Fancy1959 profile image
Fancy1959

Rileymom, it's Fancy1959. I have never been on Copaxone so I can't really answer your question. I wanted to let you know though that I read your post and good luck with your hair. Biotin helps hair to grow quicker and be very careful brushing your hair. Make sure you don't rip tangles out but work them out instead. Good luck and talk to your neurologist if it continues to see what he can do. Fancy.

Crwatkins714 profile image
Crwatkins714

Yes, I have hair loss on one side of my head. I never heard of Copaxone being a cause. I am also on a mega dose of Biotin, 300 MG, from a compound pharmacy, but it doesn't seem to help any with hair loss or the MS. I am 65 and have had MS for 27 years and just thought it might be age related hair loss. I have been on Copaxone for 20 years maybe. It's not really doing me any good either, but I am afraid to take the Ocrevus for PML could be a side effect and I'm not willing to risk it. I hope you have some luck with the Biotin, it is supposed to help with the MS also.

LJMC profile image
LJMC

I've been on Copaxone for 15 years now & hair loss has Not been any issue.

Karen-x profile image
Karen-x

Hi. I was in copaxone for two years. My hair thinned so much during that time. I just thought it hereditary or something. And didn't connect the hair loss until recently. I have been off copaxone now for one year and my hair dresser showed me where I have had significant hair regrowth. At least three inches of regrowth now.

MTgurl profile image
MTgurl in reply toKaren-x

Did you go on any other medication to treat your MS?

eharoot profile image
eharoot

Hi. My hair has thinned. I’ve been putting it off to aging as I’m now 78. Wondering if it’s combination of the two. Thanks for the subject

stepsforNeeC profile image
stepsforNeeC

Yes, I have noticed during my 10 year Copaxone regime that my once wavy Beyonce' locks are now much much thinner! Hair Skin and Nails vitamins with doctor approval may help; discuss with your physician as we always do.

The best to you -

Neec

jackiesj profile image
jackiesj

Also there is a super vitamin packet of vitamins 5$ a packet at the Walmart salon.i cut it into 3rds and feed vit inside and out. genetics, hormones,thyroid, any other meds and vitamins can cause hair loss...Ive had 3 friends on chemo that once they got their hair back surprisingly it was the most fabulous hair they ever had...which they joked they had to go thru that to get it?!no..not suggggested..yes all are remission.yahhhh!

Jennyb65 profile image
Jennyb65

Yes I am losing hair, mine is thick....but it still puzzles me. My hair is also curly a nd frizzed in some areas.

Joc-42 profile image
Joc-42

Joc-42 to Rileymom. Yes, but I am 76 yrs old, and thought it was age related. I have been on Copaxone for eight years.

Rileymom profile image
Rileymom in reply toJoc-42

I’m 54 & been in Copaxone for less than a year. Also diagnosed last Nov. & changed eating & supplements. Figuring out which variables to rule out😬

Chrysmue profile image
Chrysmue

If I did it must've been very little cause I'm so vain I would've remembered.

Sharon5000 profile image
Sharon5000

Yes! Right after I started Copaxone I had a lot of thinning. Hair everywhere. I thought it could be from the stress of optic neuritis and being diagnosed but I think it's the drug. I had a second episode of slight thinning but not as bad as the first. Now two years later I have lots of regrowth and still on Copaxone.

Marcih profile image
Marcih

ME... Approx 2 years on Copaxone with hair loss.... Everytime I brush, i lose a good amount. Sorry, ... 🤗. But yes, i have hair loss unfortunately......

Rileymom profile image
Rileymom in reply toMarcih

Thanks for letting me know... I appreciate it

Krosie profile image
Krosie

Yes! I’ve thinned out considerably! I’m constantly shedding 😊

Neworleanslady profile image
Neworleanslady

I’ve been on Copaxone for years and fortunately have not experienced too much hair loss. I take 10,000 mcg of biotin a day. I can’t remember when i when i started taking it but i upped it when i saw a letter while i was waiting for my dr that spoke of a clinical trial fror MS with taking biotin. I asked dr anout it when she came in but she said trial was for taking way more biotin than i was taking but that it was ok for me to increase to 10,000 mcg if i wanted.I have issues with wavy fingernails. Anyone else experience this?

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