Hair loss with sulfasalazine?

[Vad7170]

Hey everyone. May I please get your advice? I’ve been to several rheumatologists and dermatologists and am getting conflicting answers. Last fall, I started on 2000 mg sulfasalazine. Major hair loss started a few months after - I mean, major. I’ve never experienced anything like this, am relatively young, ethnic so have lots of hair to come out (and oh it did). Docs didn’t believe it was sulfa, just stress. Reduced me to 1000 mg nonetheless. But although I was okay, I could feel the inflammation increasing. I decided to slowly start to raise my level to 1500 mg - everyone keeeps raving about sulfa, how it’s more benign than other arthritic drugs. I’m not so convinced. Although my inflammation is very controlled at 1500 and I feel good, I have this nagging feeling that I’m losing hair again. I don’t want to admit sulfa is not for me as I’m afraid of other DMARDS and biologics. Can you please tell me if you’ve experienced this with sulfa? And what has/has not worked for you? I’d be very grateful, thank you.

[Hidden]

Hi Vad7170,

Sorry to hear you’re having issues. I haven’t taken Sulfa (as I’m allergic), but I have taken Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine) and experienced hair loss - not super dramatic, but it was happening.

Unfortunately, it’s a possible side effect of immunosuppressants - so a bit difficult to avoid if you have RA and you’re affected. However, it does stop once the medication is ceased.

I guess you just have to weigh up the risks and benefits. If Sulfa is working for you, maybe that’s the risk/benefit thing you have to do. Sulfa is quite mild. If it’s controlling your symptoms, it’s probably worth continuing and seeking a solution to the hair loss - which actually may stop once your body adjusts, cheers Deb

[VeronicaF]

Sorry to hear that, I was on it for a week but had bad reaction, no hair loss, what pain killers are you on? sometimes it can take 3 months for hair loss to happen, what were you taking 3 months ago? just a thought just in case its not the S, as its working so well for you it would be a same to have to stop it

[barbieg]

Hello, I’ve taken Sulfasalazine since I was diagnosed 17yrs ago. I too suffer hair loss and it worried me a lot as it blocks my vacuum, and everything. Have to say though I have no bald patches and nobody has ever said anything. I just thought if the Sulfasalazine was working , it was a small price to pay. It’s a side effect of most of our RA drugs unfortunately. Try not to stress over it .