Sulfazalazine and hair loss

[helzbelz2]

So been on a build up dose of sulfazalazine for a week and I’m sure my hair is coming out. Am I being paranoid?

[EmmaS-NRAS NRAS]

Hi helzbelz2,

Hair loss isn't one of the most common side effects of Sulfasalazine and it is generally well tolerated. However, all medications affect people differently and hair loss can unfortunately also sometimes a symptom of RA itself. If you have any concerns about side effects at all, please do speak to your Rheumatology team.

There's also a good article on the US's Arthritis Foundation website which might be useful to read - arthritis.org/living-with-a...

Kind regards

EmmaS-NRAS

[NeonkittyUK]

Hi Helz, I took it for about eight years and hair loss wasn't a side effect for me ever. Hope your hair gets back on track. I've never heard of it doing that to be honest but i am no expert!

[Jesnaskah]

Nope! Not being paranoid. How long have you been on Sulfasalazine and when did your hair loss start?

All DMARDS as well as some biologics have the possible side effect of hair loss.

It may be a whole different issue all together, as I am learning might be the case with me.

I started MTX in mid August 2017, for 2 months, which is when my hair loss started, only in the shower though. After 2 months, I said enough, tried Leflunomide for about a week, couldn't deal with the neuropathy, then on to plaquenil for 2.5 weeks, neuropathy started up again so I stopped it all. Meanwhile been on Prednisone the whole time, although tapering. Around Nov-Dec, I wanted to take a break. I bought sulfa, but wanted to detox first so I did that for a month... Long story short, my hair loss progressed and now I can't even touch it without losing little clumps. Showering is the worst! I've lost half my hair density at this point. Went to dermatologist at the end of December. He thinks it may be telogen efluvium.

Stress plays a major role and it could also be that too. But what's the point of this whole post...

You are not paranoid. And I would first blame the drugs as opposed to the disease, RA itself.

Just my take on matters. I hope it calms down and it doesn't get too bad.

[Ruth12345]

Ive been on methx for 9 months aprox then went in to sulph the hydrochxin and my hair continues to shed. Not as dramatically as Jesnaskah tho. So no your not being paranoid. Im not sure if it started with methx or the sulph but it continues. My rheumy says I wont go bald.

[aco2]

Hi there! I had the same experience! I was on Methotrexate for almost a year, then went on sulphasalazine and as the dose increased I started to notice hair loss. It’s the only drug that has done this to me. You are definitely not paranoid.

[lhm8]

You aren't paranoid. I to have hair loss with severe thinning. Even the Rhuemetologists sometimes don't know if it's disease induced or medication side affects. There isn't always an answer as to whether it's a side affect but it's sure worth talking to your Dr. about. May I mention how brave you are? I've had RA for 22 yrs and this is the first time it's attacked my hair. This new symptom plus a recent Lupus diagnosis has really been stressful for me. Hair loss is embarrassing and scary. Hang in there and know that their are others that sympathize and know just how hard losing hair really is on self esteem.

[jessquilts]

I started to lose hair when I started to notice that I had a lot of autoimmune responses going on, so I think some of my hair loss was related to the disease. I started on MTX in 2017 and lost a ton of hair the first couple of months, but it has since started to grow back in abundance, although is coming in gray and curlier than my hair had been. Odd, but fine. Currently, I'd say that while the longest part of my hair is sort of thin because that's what was there during the majority of loss, that my hair is actually thicker than it's ever been near my scalp with the new growth. I am taking folic acid and it seems to really help. By the way, my fingernails are also healthier than they'd been in years also.