Somebody help me with accutane and hairloss

Hello, I am a 20 year old male and have been taking accutane (claravis) for about 5 months now. I am taking two 40mg pills twice a day... I have experienced a few annoying side effects but one of the major ones i have noticed is hair loss. I had very thick hair pre-accutane and i noticed hair-thnning lately and my hairline as also been receding. This is driving me crazy. Will this be a permanent side-effect or temporary and  will my hair come back to its original hair-line. My father has very thick hair and my mother has good hair as well. Someone please help!!!

[ic892003]

anyone?????

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hair loss is a common side effect of accutane. Hair loss will continue for 5 weeks to 5 months following the termination of Accutane. This hair loss is not permanent except when there is any male pattern baldness.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[ic892003]

I will thank you doctor, I am not sure if i have male pattern baldness, My hairline has receded along the temples, is this mpb?

[ic892003]

also doctor, you mentioned its not permanent but will it grow back?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Male pattern baldness or Androgenic alopecia is a common form of hair loss and typically occurs in M shaped pattern.

Men who have this type of hair loss usually have inherited the trait. Other causes may be use of some drugs, infections and underlying disease, such as lupus or diabetes. A biopsy (taking a small sample of cells to examine under a microscope) of your scalp may be needed to establish the correct diagnosis.

Depending on your type of hair loss, treatments are available. If a medicine like Accutane is causing your hair loss, your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine and if it is due to infections or systemic disease, then treating it will treat baldness.

Medicines which are useful are minoxidil and finasteride. Finally one can resort to hair transplantation also.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[kelly33230]

you should know that is bs..i took accutane 10 years ago..still have the hair loss..and im female--wth NO SIGNS of mpb in my family..