Taking medicine that could cause hair loss (PEP) 7 months after FUE?

Question

Dear DRs, Due to certain circumstances I had to take the PEP medicine (post-exposure-prophylaxis) for 28 days, dolutegravir, tenofovir, and lamivudin. It mentions specifically that lamivudin might cause hair loss, and I have read online that it did cause hairloss with some people. I am 7 months post FUE, I am quite happy with my growth so far, but could the medicine harm my growth? And in case it does fall out, will it grow out again after I stop using it? Many thanks!

Christopher Varona, DO · Answer

At this stage of your postop recovery, if shedding should happen because of PEP, it would happen diffusely and not specifically to the transplanted hairs. And its rare that it would happen at all. You should take the PEP if needed of course, but maybe speak to your surgeon about adding something like PRP or minoxidil to help strengthen your hair and potentially prevent extra shedding.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Personalized medical treatment advice on the Internet without a good history and examination is inaccurate and may lead to confusion and misinformation.

Justin Rome, MD · Answer

Doctors have to let you know the side effects of any medicine you take, but it doesn't mean it will happen to everyone that takes it.  Hopefully everything works out for you.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Sometimes medications like you are taking can cause hair loss. This is not always the case so you may have to cross your fingers and hope that you don’t lose hair

Taking medicine that could cause hair loss (PEP) 7 months after FUE?

Answers (4)