Diovan and hair loss?

[Jackie]

Sandra in Birmingham wrote:

I have been taking Diovan for about 18 months. No energy at the end of the day. Just started regular exercise and BP drops to 104/65 during the evenings. Hair loss is noticable. Will stop the Diovan today, continue the exercise and start a home remedy for high blood pressure. If it works, I will share it with you.

HI Sandra, I have been taking diovan for four years and he only gave it to me because my family history of hbp. I didn't take it for about a month and then I started it, "THE WORST THING I COULD HAVE EVER DONE". I don't have hbp, my family does and now I have went from having long, healthy hair to cutting it all the time. I am going to a new doctor in North Carolina to tell him that I want off and now!. Too young to be taking this stuff. Anyway does the home remedy work for you? Please let me know thanks

[harvey]

I,have been on diovan for 6 years.I have had very bad coughing spells. also I have noticed very bad hair loss.I stopped taking ther med 7 days ago and feel much better.I did not have any problems the first five years but the last year has been bad.I am going to try holistic remidies as I cant take this poison anymore.

[Richard]

My experience with Diovan is that it caused the loss of 20-30% of my hair density over 9 +/- months as well as almost immediate E.D. On the plus side I went from 202 lbs to under 180 in the same period and have kept off the weight. The first two side affects are disturbing and I have gone off the pills for as long as 10-14 days with the idea of quitting entirely (when off them by bp is 140+/-/70 +/- so that is something I can cope with); however, within a few days I gain 8-10 lbs. This is just water but it is mentally depressing so I go back on them (and lose the extra water within 2-4 days).
This is a powerful drug. I guess I would rather be bald than a stroke victim but the latter is speculation and the former is happening.

[paul]

Screw these doctors they always say it isn't from the medication. If thats the case what are side affects? Why ask us if we have any? We are the guinea pigs we would know. I don't trust doctors, I wish I did.

[Abigail Hughley]

I've been on Diovan HCT for about 9 months now. Within two months I noticed lots more hair loss on my bathroom sink and floor, and my daughter who had not seen me in 6 months immediately noticed the hair loss and thinning. I also felt flu-like symptoms for the first 3-5 days. Afterwards I felt fine, but gradually noticed fatigue and I suppose "anxiety" as the best descriptor. Two good things: my bp plummeted, and I lost over 20 lbs, coupled with a walking program. I can't stand to lose much more hair, and I'm not at my top performance with fatigue and anxiousness going on, so I'm looking for something else. Otherwise fit at 57.

[lee brown]

i have been on diovan 80 mg since 1999
and have gained so much weight. my dr
said i just need a good aerobics program.
it is impossible to lose no matter what
i do. i am so releived to know that i am not the only one. leg cramps have also been a problem.

[Lisa]

I have been taking Diovan 80mg/HCT 12.5mg for about 3mo. I have noticed an alarming amount of hair loss daily which I have attributed to the Diovan. I am otherwise healthy, work out and take no other meds.

[Gwen Alpharetta Ga]

Have been taking Diovan for several months along with Lamisil for toenail fungus. It did nothing for my BP until the dr. added a diuretic. I have noticed a gradual increase in the amount of hair I am loosing daily, an alarming amount!. Not sure if it is due to Diovan or Lamisil. Finished the Lamisil a week ago and no improvement in hair loss, so I am going to ask for another BP drug, maybe just the diuretic.

[Kelley]

I have studied the side effects, and it appears that the diuretic is the most common cause for hair loss.

[Roseanne]

Thanks guys; I am a beautician; and my head of hair was always like a mop; on Diovan for almost a year now; and boy do I have thin hair. Didn't relate it to the Diovan until I actually sat down and read. I know about drugs; but being a recent widow and my bp so high I felt comfortable with it; I only have the hair loss and I don't like it; I am going to tell the doctor about it, and I know my doctor will do something for me. She is the greatest. Sure wish I would have read the paraphenaila sooner.. good luck all

[Angie]

Janet wrote:

Has anyone experienced hair loss?
I was looking up side effects because in the several weeks I've been taking Diovan, I have experienced nausea and lightheadedness to the point of having to lie down to avoid fainting, along with a general "sickly" feeling.
I already suffer from hair loss due to Lupus. I have been alarmed by the recent notable increase in hair loss but I didn't think of Diovan as a possible cause of the increase until I read about it on other sites, including DrKoop.com .

Hi Janet, Yes, I am taking Diovan and have been
experiencing severe hair loss. I also did not think that Diovan could be
the problem but after taking a blood test to determine whether I could have thyroid or hormonal issues there is nothing left but Diovan that could
be the problem. I am going to ask my doctor to prescribe something
else for my blood pressure.

[Angie]

Question for all of you have gotten off Diovan .......did your hair grow back after you stopped taking the Diovan? Also, is it dangerous to just take oneself off this medication without a replacement? I am so tired of all
these side effects of medications. I was also given a medication for cholesterol and I had such severe pain in my muscles and joints I could not sleep or hardly walk. It took over a month to feel good again but I was
so miserable and in so much pain I cried myself to sleep at night. Now I am dealing with severe hair loss. Any replies would be appreciated. thanks!

[Gder27]

I've been on diovan for a few years 80 mg once a day, never thought the leg cramps foot pain etc were associated with the drug. He upped the dose to 160 mg made me bonkers severe heart palpatations, anxiety. I split the pills went back to the 80 mg,(my bp was always borderline 140/90 it's familial I'm relatively thin exercise etc) but for the past 6 mos or so my hair has thinned to almost seeing my scalp (ahhh) but it's the texture that's awful like straw so dry and when I wash it it feels like brillo I have to dble condition it to get my hands thru it (which rips out more hair :(. Long story... switched PCPs new Doc said it could be the diovan yeah going off diovan...does anyone know how long does it take for the hair to come back? Or if does it?

[frank - hilton head]

I have been taking several drugs including diovan 160/12.5 and am wondering if that is causing a gradual hair loss - these drugs may be helpful, but they do have side effects.

[elizabeth]

I am on Diovan hctz. My hair started thinning and I did not know why. My weight gain has been 60 lbs. in the time that I have been taking this drug. I am asking my doctor to change the drug. It helpls with the pressure, but the side effects are not worth it. Someone told me about hair loss and high blood pressure meds. When I thought about it, my problems started around the same time I started the meds. Dr. Oz completely agrees, that high BP meds will cause weight gain. The problem with drugs is that they all have side effects many with ill effects. Why is that? Being the 21st century it is a wonder that modern medicine isn't more safe. Either the medical condition or the meds for the condition can kill. Where is the happy medium. I am afraid there is none.

[meg new jersey]

did anyone who was experiencing hair loss regain thier hair after dicontinuing diovan hct??

[diane morris]

For me, Diovan worked with Tenoretic plus much effort on my part. Started with 80 mg and Dr. doubled to 160 - now my hair has fallen out and my nails keep breaking. Plus I have had swollen hands, and joint pain, Recently my uric acid level, creatnine have increased. Prior to lower dosage I never experienced any problems except for slight itching at times. It's time to come off Diovan. Plus on other meds I used to pay $60 annually (mail order) now am paying close to $360 per yr.

[Miguel]

I have been taking Diovan for years now. I have always been healthy until I suffered personal trauma and stress. BP shot up so they put me on one other pill that caused hacking and cough. They switched me to Diovan hct 160/12mg. Now realizing that hairloss probably due to diovan. I never had weak hair or loss of hair ever. Mucle ache, joint pain, no muscle stamina for exercise-feels like lactic acid buildup, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, chestpain at times; AND I'M ONLY 37! what the heck is going on?

[Betty]

I have had problems with high bp for several years. I have tryed eating well and drinking 1/2 an oz. of water for each pound that I weigh and doing some light exercise. But over the last 3 months I have been working (driving, sitting) 12 hrs. a day, eating fast food and not drinking enough water (most people don't). My bp went up to 178/118, scary! My Dr. gave me Diovan. I called for an acupuncture appointment as I left her office. He said come in now. He checked my bp, got the same reading, did his thing. Took it again and it was down to 155/98, better. Six days later I went back in and it was 132/80. He gave me the same treatment and I quit taking the meds. He says it is because my illiocequill(I know that is spelled wrong, sorry) valve needed to be closed. I only took it for 6 days but I could taste it the entire time. Thousands of years of this practice seems to be working, at least for me. I would encourage any one who wants to get off the meds and still be well try this. During the six days I have also gotten back to better eating,(for me that is no grain or sugar) more water and a little light cardio. If you don't already, try mercola.com . The best to all!

[Linda toronto Canada]

excess hair loss average 300 to 400 strands a day
I stop counting after 300. Average hair loss per day should be between 50 to 100 strands.
Texture has dramatically change from thick to extra fine hair and I used to have very thick hair and a full head of beautiful hair. I'm down to half the volume and original thickness. I'm shocked and disturbed that my doctor has not mention the possibilty that the drug could be the cause when I went in to see him with a bag of my lost hair. Sent me to see a dermatologist waiting for blood test. I strongly believe it's the drug that I've been on since the past 3 months.