Does Metformin Cause Hair Loss?

Key Takeaways

Metformin is not known to cause hair loss. However, taking metformin can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency, which may contribute to various health complications that can cause hair loss.
A sudden loss of eyebrows and eyelashes was reported in a person with Type 2 diabetes who took Janumet, a combination pill containing metformin and sitagliptin, for 4 months. However, the cause of the hair loss is unclear.
Keeping your diabetes under control is essential to improve and maintain your overall health, which may help to regrow hair in the long run.

Metformin hydrochloride is a prescription drug that is commonly used, along with a healthy diet and exercise, to treat high blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.

A healthcare provider may use this prescription medication off-label to treat PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or weight gain associated with antipsychotic drugs. Another common off-label use of metformin is to treat gestational diabetes.

Hair loss and hair thinning are not common side effects of metformin therapy. However, taking metformin can affect vitamin B12, which can trigger hair loss in some people. Please continue reading to find out — Does metformin cause hair loss?

What does metformin do to your hair?

Metformin is not known to cause hair loss. Excessive hair loss or hair fall is not a commonly reported side effect of this medicine. Metformin lowers blood glucose and is used to treat diabetes along with diet and exercise.

However, it is possible that metformin affects the hair growth cycle and hair health indirectly. This is because taking metformin can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency in diabetes patients. Deficiencies of essential nutrients, including vitamin B12, are associated with excessive hair fall. Therefore, diabetes medications such as metformin may indirectly cause hair loss and thinning hair due to nutritional deficiencies.

A sudden loss of eyebrows and eyelashes was reported in a patient who took Janumet for 4 months. Janumet is a fixed-dose combination of metformin 850 mg and another diabetes drug, sitagliptin 50 mg. However, because the hair loss occurred after concomitant treatment with two drugs, it is unclear whether the prescribed metformin caused the hair loss.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that supply hair follicles. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the hair follicles, causing them to receive less oxygen and nutrients, resulting in hair loss. Taking metformin can control blood glucose levels and prevent the negative impact of diabetes on the hair growth cycle.

Experiencing hair loss is undoubtedly very distressing for many people. Additionally, a small study including 100 men in India has found that male pattern baldness can be an early warning sign of metabolic syndrome. You should talk to your doctor if you’ve noticed new or unusual hair loss.

Will hair loss from diabetes grow back?

Hair loss can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes due to hormonal imbalance and poor circulation. However, diabetes does not usually cause permanent hair loss. Hair loss due to diabetes can usually be reversed by taking metformin or other antidiabetic medications to get blood sugar levels under control.

If diet, lifestyle modifications, and diabetes medications do not result in hair regrowth, talk to your healthcare provider. There may be some other reasons for your hair loss, such as female or male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), thyroid disease, hair-pulling disorder, and other conditions that affect hormone levels and your immune system.

Keep in mind that excessive exposure to heat or chemical treatments such as a perm or hair dye can weaken your hair, leading to shedding and hair loss.

What is the biggest side effect of metformin?

Common side effects of metformin are gas, bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, metallic taste, headache, flushing, muscle pain, and nail changes (discoloration of toenails or fingernails). Losing hair is not a known side effect of metformin.

Is metformin still the first-line treatment for Type 2 diabetes?

Historically, metformin is considered the first-line treatment for Type 2 diabetes. With many new diabetes medications getting approved over the past few years, clinicians have other options if their patients cannot tolerate metformin’s gastrointestinal side effects or if metformin is not a safe option for them, such as:

A known hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to metformin hydrochloride.
Kidney disease or reduced renal function (due to an increased risk of a serious health condition called lactic acidosis).
Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis (this is treated with insulin).

This does not mean healthcare providers no longer prescribe metformin but that there are other effective alternatives to prescribe in place of or in combination with metformin. Also, if metformin’s side effects are bothersome, your doctor can adjust the metformin dose or determine if alternative therapy is a better option for you.

Your doctor may ask you to temporarily discontinue metformin before undergoing imaging studies using intravenous iodinated contrast because these contrast agents can affect kidney function.

Notably, certain brands of extended release metformin tablets were voluntarily recalled in 2022 due to the presence of a potential carcinogen.

Takeaway

Metformin does not usually cause excessive shedding of hair. Additionally, taking metformin exactly as prescribed can help keep your blood sugar under control, which is ultimately beneficial for your overall health and may even help you regrow hair. Metformin reduces glucose formation in the liver and decreases insulin resistance while reducing glucose absorption in your stomach and intestines. Keeping diabetes under control can help lower your risk of serious diabetes-related problems, including heart disease.

If you think metformin or other prescription medications are causing hair loss, talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive assessment with physical exams and blood tests to look into other potential problems that may contribute to your hair loss.

Depending on the cause of your hair loss, your provider may recommend natural remedies for healthy hair or hair loss treatments to prevent further hair loss. You may benefit from a hair loss treatment with a medication such as topical minoxidil or oral finasteride.

Women who have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) may benefit from taking birth control pills if they experience hair loss.

If you experience hair loss, it is best to minimize heat exposure for your hair, such as with hair drying and straightening, and avoid chemical treatments.

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