Hair loss with Enbrel

[Guerin]

Has anyone gone bald while taking Enbrel or do I have to stop taking it. I’m a woman and my hair is getting very thin fast. Help

[oldtimer]

It does sometimes feel as if everything is conspiring against you, doesn't it? I'm sure lots of people will reply about their own experiences with this.

Hair follicles go through a cycle of growth and what you are seeing now will be the result of what happened up to three months ago. Having any severe illness may thin your hair as a result, as may hormone changes and stress...and lots of other things.

So it might not even be the medication, and it's unlikely you will lose all your hair from this - but might find that you have to adjust to thinner hair and perhaps a different hair style?

[Guerin in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks. The Enbrel is working fairly well and I would like to stay on it. I’ll get used to thin hair.

🤠

[Ninaseven]

Hi. I started Enbrel 8 weeks ago. I am noticing hair loss especially when I blow dry the amount of hair on floor afterwards is worrying. I also notice my eye lashes are really getting thin. I’m not really worried as I hope it will all even out when my body adjusts. I am having good luck with the medication so I’m willing to sacrifice a lot for less pain. Good luck😘

[Guerin in reply to Ninaseven]

I’m on it since May. I didn’t notice it until a couple of weeks ago. My head is itching but I haven’t noticed anything else different. If I find anything that helps, I’ll let you know. If you are talking to your rhumy or hairdresser and you get a cure,can you let me know. Thanks in advance. 😊

[Ninaseven in reply to Guerin]

Yes I will. Take care😘

[Mall]

I take both methotrexate and Benapali (the biosimilar of enbrel, essentially the same drug) I noticed hair loss when I started taking methotrexate. I didn't notice anything substantial when I later started taking enbrel, now changed to the cheaper Benapali. My hair is thinner than before taking either drug but I am by no means bald. I have been on them for years so I am not expecting hair loss or growth to change. I did keep my hair short and layered To disguise the thinning but have recently started to grow it longer. I can put up with thinner hair in exchange for the relief from the pain and lack of mobility without the drugs. taking folic acid every day (apart from methotrexate day) helps with the side effects of methotrexate, I haven't heard if any supplements help with side effects of Enbrel.

If you self conscious of hair being thinner talk with your hairdresser, I had a good one who suggested a shorter style and layers, this did help my confidence.

[Guerin in reply to Mall]

Thank you for replying. I took methotrexate for about 10 years . I had a lot of health problems with it but never hair loss. I have been taking Enbrel for about 9 months and I noticed my hair was a lot thinner about 6 weeks ago. It does help with the pain so I would like to keep taking it. I was wondering if there was a supplement that would help reverse the hair loss or prevent me losing any more. My hair was thin to start with.

[4MS4]

ENBREL IS THE DEVIL!!!

I took Enbrel for four months back in 2016 and my hair and eyelashes have never been the same since!!! Every time I wash and comb my hair it falls out. (My only saving grace was that I had a super thick head of hair to begin with). My eyelashes however, went from very long and thick to basically non-existence!!! 4years later their still ultra thin, short and consistently fall out!!! THANKS TO ENBREL!!!

If your hair and eyelashes are important to you stay away from Enbrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, Enbrel did nothing to help with the RA pain. It wasn’t even worth it! Biggest regret of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wyaatch in reply to 4MS4]

Sorry for your hair—hair is a sign of health just like eyes—did you ever find another replacement ?