Can sulfasalazine cause bald patches?

[cakenomore]

I have recently be told I have inflammatory arthritis. Been in pain for two years with many different diagnosis from early menopause to tennis elbow! I was started on sulfa, after going up to 2 tablets a day got terrible headaches and now have lost a big patch of hair on my crown. I know its vanity but I cried all day yesterday. Has anyone else experienced this and does the hair grow back? my GP is pretty sure its tablets and told me to stop taking them.

[Ms-D]

Hi there, i am sorry that you are in pain. I was taking sulfasalazine and yes i started to lose hair quite badly. I stopped taking the meds after i fainted at work and then second time round i got hives. Me and meds don't seem to like each other lol. Please do not worry to much and talk to the nurse if more hair is falling out. x

[cakenomore in reply to Ms-D]

Hi Ms-D,

Thank you for replying. This drug made me feel wretched, didn't help the pain and then this! I was putting my hair in a pony tail and suddenly saw a round bald spot about the circumference of a tennis ball. It was quite a shock. Did your hair grow back once you stopped the meds?

[Ms-D in reply to cakenomore]

Yeh its growing back and like you i cried every morning. Even chopped it shorter to see if that helped. Its a side effect and i didnt tolerate the sickness or dizziness. If it gets worse please speak to nurse. There are always alternatives xx

[cakenomore in reply to Ms-D]

I spoke to my doctor and he told me to stop taking it. All my appointments have been cancelled, as they should be, but it is a very difficult time to navigate problems with meds . I'm lucky that at the moment I've got pain meds to manage pain until I get an alternative. xx

[Ms-D in reply to cakenomore]

Stop taking it as i had to before it got worse. Im sorry you are suffering. Im starting biologics monday and scared under the present sutuation.

[cakenomore in reply to Ms-D]

I always feel apprehensive when I first start meds. My GP has been really good. I've been able to have phone appointments and he has been speaking to clinic nurse when I can't get through. So I felt reassured that I've got someone to turn to if meds cause issues. But is a worring time for eveyone taking any kind of immune suppressants. I really hope they work for you xx

[JoLB]

I am sorry to hear this, how distressing. I get on well with most drugs but my reaction to sulpha was so extreme I came off it immediately. Try not to worry there will be something out there for you but very difficult at the moment when you can’t attend appointments etc. I feel for you.

[Thebill21]

Hi Cakenomore

I'm so sorry that you're in pain & struggling at the moment. I'll try & help. I've been on Sulfasalazine for a long time & I've not had any bald patches nor experienced any headaches. That said all our bodies deal differently with medication we take. I don't think it's wise to just stop the Sulfasalazine normally Drs suggest you reduce the dose gradually no matter how long you've been taking it. Maybe you can have a telephone chat to your GP. I know that at the moment we're living in uncertain & worrying times. GPs are still dealing with non coronavirus problems. I really hope you do get some help. Take care keep safe.

[sharon6768]

I took it for awhile after I stopped methotrexate. I lost 1/3 of my hair from methotrexate so I didn't notice it with the sulfa. What I did notice was how awfully sick I got for about 2 weeks. When I lost my hair to to methotrexate it was all over loss not just one spot. After that, I got a new rheumatologist and she put me on Leflunomide which is working well for me right now. For the hair loss, my rheumatologist prescribed Folic Acid and I added biotin to the mix. My hair has all grown out and is thicker than before. How ironic that I finally get my hair back and my stylist perfected my color and now I have sit back and watch it grow to a gray mess while waiting for the country to open up.

[cakenomore]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am coping with it by trying to be pro active. I'm going to get a wig topper so I can go to work without feeling worried that someone might see my bald patch. (I'm only 5ft so most people can see the top of my head!!) I've also read that rosemary and folic acid can help so i'll try that. I'm waiting to hear from my doctor to see what they want me to try next. Am only taking painkillers at the moment. xx