Fred asked
I have been on atorvastatin for a long time but just recently I noticed some hair loss. Is atorvastatin the culprit?
Answer
Lipitor (atovastatin), a cholesterol lowering medication, is associated with hair loss, although it is relatively uncommon.
The prescribing information for Lipitor does not list hair loss (sometimes referred to as alopecia in medical literature) as a possible adverse reaction but it has been reported during post-marketing experience with the drug. The overall incidence of hair loss with Lipitor appears to be less than 1%.
It should be noted that although the prescribing information for Lipitor does not mention hair loss, it does report a variety of general adverse reactions to the skin, including:
- Elevated skin lesion
- Skin discoloration
- Dryness of mucous membranes
- Changes to hair/nails
Additional Information About Lipitor Hair Loss
Although studies that specifically reference hair loss with Lipitor are sparse, there have been a variety of case reports published that discuss potential hair loss. The American Journal Of Medicine published a case report in which a 38 year woman experienced hair loss on the drug, which was subsequently was reversed upon discontinuation. From the report:
Although usually well tolerated, some persons may experience alopecia due to atorvastatin [Lipitor]. Our patient’s hair loss occurred within 6 weeks of her initial exposure to atorvastatin, abated when the drug was discontinued, and recurred within 2 weeks of a second exposure to the drug.
Additional studies have reported that hair loss is likely a class effect of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, of which Lipitor is a part of.
If you are experiencing hair loss on Lipitor, be sure to speak with your doctor so you can be properly evaluated and explore alternative therapies as necessary.
