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Hydrochlorothiazide or Microzide (Brand Name)
Hello to all alopecia sufferers,
I want to describe my case to see if anyone else has had the same experience.
I started losing my eyebrow hair and some of the hair around my hairline, so I went to my Internal Medicine physician who referred me to a Dermatologist.
At the first visit, the Dermatologist diagnosed me with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia. Then he asked if I was taking Hydrochlorothiazide or Microzide (Brand name)
Unfortunately, I had started that medication (25 mg once a day) in January by my doctor to see if it would help "prevent" kidney stones.
He told me I was the 3rd patient to be diagnosed with FFA and all of us had been taking Hydrochlorothiazide.
I can't imagine how many other patients have been diagnosed with FFA that were taking this medication.
I am very upset that FFA was not listed as a possible side effect of Hydrochlorothiazide.
I would appreciate any feedback.
Thank you!
Terri
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alice on
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Terri, your tale is interesting and disturbing. I have not taken the medication you mention but the name sounds familiar. Is it the same drug that acts as a diuretic and is commonly used to treat hypertension?
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Permalink Reply by Terri on
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Alice, you are correct. Hydrochlorothiazide USP is a diuretic and antihypertensive.
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Hi Terri,
That is a disturbing thing, but I have never taken that medication and I also have been diagnosed with FFA. My hair loss started the exact same way...noticed my eyebrows thinning and then started losing hair around my hairline. I'm sorry that I can't be of more help.
Sandy
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Permalink Reply by Linda from Cincy on
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Appreciate your taking the time to share this information, Terri. I was diagnosed this summer but have not taken the medication you mentioned. Still, maybe others have and the fact that it has this side effect will possibly provide a clue as to what causes this condition in the first place.
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Permalink Reply by Anne Louise on
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How troubling, Terri. Among the side effects listed for Hydrochlorothiazide, the incidence is not known, are alopecia, sunburn, and tingling crawling sensations. These may be rare side effects, but it does appear to have effects upon the skin. Where FFA is considered rare, I doubt it would be listed as a side effect of any medication. Based on a lot of experiences of the ladies here, some medications seem to have triggered their FFA.
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Permalink Reply by Annie on
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Terri, I took Hydrochlorothiazide for a short time, but it was almost 20 years ago. I had a kidney infection, and my doctor prescribed it to relieve the water retention. It's hard to imagine that something I took so many years ago would have anything to do with my ffa.
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Wow - that is interesting. I don't take that medicine but I can recommend taking a cup of warm water every morning with lemon juice. It's a great detox - and the acid helps prevent kidney stones.
Thanks for sharing the info!
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The package insert I received with Hydrochlorothiazide from my pharmacist did not state there could be permanent hair loss or FFA as a side effect.Common Side Effects of HydrochlorothiazideBefore you start taking hydrochlorothiazide, it's important to tell your doctor if you have any allergies or medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have taken an antibiotic medicine called a "sulfa" and had any problems or an allergic reaction to it.
Be sure to give your doctor a complete list of all the medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements.
You should also let your doctor know if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding before taking hydrochlorothiazide. If you get pregnant while taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor right away.
Hydrochlorothiazide may cause side effects such as drowsiness. Alcohol may make this side effect worse. Your doctor may want you to avoid drinking alcohol while taking hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may also make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Be sure to protect yourself from exposure to the sun when you go outside.
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully when taking hydrochlorothiazide, particularly those related to changes in your diet and exercise routine. After you take hydrochlorothiazide, you will pass more urine and more frequently. Remember to take hydrochlorothiazide at those times of the day when you have access to a bathroom.
Hydrochlorothiazide can cause some side effects. If you have any side effect that becomes severe or does not go away, tell your doctor. Some common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide include:- Cramps and muscle weakness
- Dizziness, headache, or thirst
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Abnormal bleeding or bruising
- A skin rash, hives, or peeling of the skin
- Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
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http://medlibrary.org/lib/rx/meds/hydrochlorothiazide-89/
I went to this website and this was the information on Hydrochlorothiazide side effects, revised on March 10, 2014.
Nowhere does it mention FFA or state that hair loss or thinning of the hair could be permanent. This is how it reads: “As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects.” If I had known hair loss or FFA was a potential side effect, I would have never used Hydrochlorothiazide.
For the Consumer
Applies to hydrochlorothiazide: oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet
Some of the side effects that can occur with hydrochlorothiazide may not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine during treatment these side effects may go away. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. If any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome or if you have any questions about them, check with your health care professional:
Incidence not known
hair loss or thinning of the hair
pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
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Hi, Teri
I too was diagnosed with FFA recently and I was on Hydrochlorithiazide for quite a while in combination with another drug for high blood pressure. I had thought me hair loss might be due to the medicines I was taking but hydrochlorithiazide had been on the market for a long time and there were no reports of hair loss. I am now on spironalactone instead hydro, but I haven't really seen much change yet.
Virginian -
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Dr. Camisa is board certified in dermatology and dermatological immunology, practicing medicine for over 30 years. He is Director of the Phototherapy Department at Riverchase Dermatology and an Affiliate Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He specializes in psoriasis, lichen planus, bullous diseases, connective tissue diseases, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and diseases of the mouth and lips. Dr. Camisa is a leading expert in psoriasis, bullous disease, and other complex skin conditions, and patients throughout the country seek his experience.Update: information on HCTZCause and TreatmentWhile the cause is unknown, the conventional wisdom is that the skin disease is an inflammatory reaction in the skin caused by a malfunction of the immune system or a hypersensitivity reaction to an infection, such as a urinary tract infection, or an allergic reaction to a drug. Many drugs have been associated with lichen planus, but the more common ones in my experience are the non-steroidal anti-arthritis drugs such as naproxen and the common water pill called hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
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