avonex and hair loss

jasonc · Getting to Know You... Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 13

I've been taking Avonex for about a year now, and i've noticed my hair has begun to thin out quite significantly. Does anyone know how to stop this without stopping the interferon?

Thanks.

carolsue · Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 9:02 pm Post subject:

I noticed similar hair thinning on Rebif. I started supplementing with Vitamin E and Selenium. Can't say I noticed any difference or not.

carolsue

HarryZ · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:22 am Post subject: Re: avonex and hair loss

Carolsue,

Hair loss, although not common, is a possible side-effect of Avonex. You can read about all the possible side-effects of this drug by going to this site:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/203537.html

Harry

jasonc · Getting to Know You... Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 13

Actually my doctor said that NOTHING could be done Rolling Eyes

seelie · Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2004 6:59 am Post subject:

Ayuup Ayuup -

Was first noticed by my hair dresser, then my wife... then me.... Men are always the last to know (or acknowledge hair loss)...

Supposedly baldness is a sign of virility for men - but prolly not when it's interferon induced......

I've switched to Rebif now - and expect more (less) of the same. I'm not especially worried about it... but if I were of feminie persuasion, I would likely be more concerned.

If it's bald and walking around or a full head of hair in a wheelchair... I think this is a no brainer...

Hugz n Blessed Be )O(
=Greg
_________________
I'm learning to breathe under water. It's quite beautiful down here.

I used to think that if I tried, I would drown.

kareng7 · Family Member Joined: Mar 21, 2005 Posts: 79

Just followed an interesting line of research about thyroid problems and MS--since thryoid runs in my family. I found a study that says up to 24% of the people on interferon 1-a and 1-b develop hypothyroidism within the first year of treatment. Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss.

This study suggests you get tested if you're using interferon.

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/jc.2004-2326v1

BeckyLA · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 1:17 pm Post subject:

I've always shed quite a bit of hair, but lately it seems I'm loosing more. I've only been on Rebif for about 4 1/2 months, so I guess It might be awhile before I know for sure, but that would suck. A 24 yar-old woman going bald?

wintergirl · Newbie Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 8

I did experience hair thinning/loss around the 5 or 6 month of using Avonex. I was lucky that I started out with a ton of hair to begin with I guess. Anyway.....it settled down and I can honestly say that after using Avonex for almost 5 years now.....I have just as much hair as before I started.