The AlopeciaBoy Network
Living Life Alopecian Style!
Drugs, Chemicals... Treatments??
Remember, just because something worked for one person, doesn't mean it will work for you, but here are SOME suggested drugs and forms of treatment others pursued.
I haven't tried any and I'm not endorsing anything listed here; they're listed for informational purposes only. I personally tell everyone to throw the pill bottles away, take a walk outside and enjoy the sunshine! :) Cheers
Diovan Also known as Valsarten, it was originally used to treat high blood pressure. Genomed used this in their research and developed it as an ACE inhibitor (moderating the human body's immune system), publishing their results in medical journals recently as a "valued treatment" for alopecia and other medical conditions.
Losartin Used to treat high blood pressure. It blocks the action of certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly. Also sold under the name of Cozaar. This is an ACE inhibitor, which can be available in a non-diuretical format. This treatment for alopecia has mixed results (meaning some experienced ore or continued hair loss).
DCP or DPCP (Diphenylcyclopropenone) Treatment local side effects: typical: burning, itching, blistering, crusting, urticaria, eczema. Less common side effects: vitiligo, 'dyschromia in confetti'
Tacrolimus (also known as Protopic) an immunosuppresant, helps to suppress itching, redness and inflammation symptoms which are a reaction caused by the body's immune system. It can be used for short-term or long-term intermittent treatment. It is often used when other types of treatment are not working or not tolerated by the patient.
Side effects include skin flushing in areas of ointment application when drinking alcohol; cough; loss of appetite; general aches and pains; sneezing; weakness; skin burning; itching skin in children; headache; fever, as well as eye problems, increased skin sensitivity to the sun, and hives.
Tacrolimus ointment may increase the risk of skin tumors, when patients are also exposed to sunlight.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. Your doctor will want to make sure the tacrolimus ointment is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.
Dinitichlorobenzidine/Dinitrochlorobenzene These are mutagenic, which means they potently threaten your genes
Betamethasone Dipropionate (a topical cream)
Squaric Acid Dibutyl Ester Another very popular form of treatment for people with alopecia. Mixed results that vary with usage.
Isoprinosine Another popular choice among dermatologists to treat alopecia, also with mixed results.
Cyclosporine Mixed results, but many say they lose the hairs that grew once they stop the treatment. Potentially harmful, as it's an immune suppressant used in transplant patients.
Intralesional Triamcinolone
Corticosteroids The most widely used and are dispensed like candy prescriptions.
Propecia & Rogaine These two hair loss suppressants are also used on milder forms of alopecia, but with discontinued use the symptoms generally return (as do regular baldness symptoms).
Prednisone A popular form of treatment, oral steroids, wth mixed results, short term use only. Side effects may include nausea, ulcers, weight gain, psychotic episodes, facial swelling. Caution!
Protopic Another popular prescription but it doesn't really work on the people who mentioned trying it.
Sulfasalazine Relatively new to the alopecia scene, some doctors originally prescribed it for Crohn's disease, but apparently it does spurt a regrowth for those with extensive alopecia. But like Propecia and Rogaine, if you stop the treatment you lose the hair.
Traimcinoline Something I just heard of, waiting to hear about its results... but someone mentioned it wasn't any good, or didn't work. I'll keep this updated soon.
Olux Foam an anti-itch cream used for those being prescribed itchy medication or skin treatments. This is not for treating alopecia, but rather the discomfort due to the principle prescription treating your alopecia.
Photo Treatments Also referred to as UV treatments, the patient is given a pill that rends their skin or body more sensitive to UVA and/or UVB rays (ultraviolets). Your skin will burn, as if over tanned, but it's hoped the body's immune system gets so busy repairing skin tissue that it lets your hair begin to grow. Most say it doesn't help and that it's very painful.
Methoxsalen (meth-OX-a-len) belongs to the group of medicines called psoralens. It is used along with ultraviolet light (found in sunlight and some special lamps) in a treatment called PUVA is used as a medication in photo treatment processes to make your skin more susceptible to light damage. In addition to causing serious sunburns if not properly used, it has been reported to increase the chance of skin cancer and cataracts. Also, like too much sunlight, PUVA can cause premature aging of the skin.
Anthralin Usually dispensed in 1% formulas. Also known as Dithranol or Cignolin is a topical psoriasis treatment also used to stimulate hair growth in alopecia areata cases. Must be used for an extensive period of time before results appear. Anthralin has been shown to cause tumors in animals. However, there have been no reports of anthralin causing tumors in humans.
If anthralin ointment is applied to the skin at night, any ointment remaining on the affected areas the next morning should be removed with warm liquid petrolatum followed by bathing.
If anthralin ointment is applied to the scalp at night, shampoo the next morning to clean the scalp. You may notice scales appearing - wash to clean your scalp.
Side effects include redness or other skin irritation - rashes.
Finasteride An enzyme inhibitor generally used by balding men to stimulate hair growth - side effect in men includes shrinking of the prostate gland. Finasteride comes in a tablet form. In men, side effects include impotence (inability to have or maintain an erection), decreased libido (interest in sex), decreased volume of ejaculate (amount of semen). Overdose may cause you to physically collapse and you may stop breathing.
Eledil also known as Pimecrolimus recently being administered to alopecians, it is an immunomodulator. Side effects include Abdominal or stomach pain; body aches or pain; burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at site; change in hearing; chills; cold or flu-like symptoms; congestion, ear or nasal; cough producing mucus; diarrhea; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; dryness or soreness of throat; earache or pain in ear, ear drainage ; fever, among others.
Ebastin a new treatment alternative being offered to alopecia sufferers. A second generation antihistamine, it was originially used to treat seasonal allergies. Ebastine inhibits T cell migration, production of Th2-type cytokines and proinflammatory cytokines. In one research, of 22 patients with different types of alopecia, it proved to help 13 of 22 subjects.
Enbel FDA is advising physicians about new safety concerns regarding the use of etanercept (Enbrel), a product recently approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). New postmarketing reports indicate that certain patients receiving Enbrel have developed serious infections, including sepsis, and that several of these patients have died from their infections. This is a new form of treatment for alopecia that has recently been under advisement.
Betamethasone valerate foam (BVF) is a new topical corticosteroid formulation. In scalp psoriasis patients BVF has induced a significantly greater clinical improvement in comparison with corticosteroid lotions. No data are available to date regarding the efficacy and safety of BVF in mild-to-moderate alopecia areata (AA). Sold under name: Luxiq
Other websites for further information:
American Medical Association
MedlinePlus
National Skin Center
Information on this page for general purpose use only. Please contact a dermatologist for more information on the treatments and medications mentioned on this page.
Please feel free to print out this page to bring with you to your appointments.
What is Alopecia?
All information, images and audio remain intellectual property of Nathan Paul Prince, unless otherwise stated. Public educational use permitted.
No reproduction of website content without expressed written permission of the author or photographer.Information ©Nathan Paul Prince . com 2004 - 2009
