Vicoprofen Causing Hair Loss?

Hi. About two years ago, I was diagnosed with chronic prostatitis, a condition that causes frequent pain in my penis and testicles (particularly in the evenings). My doctor began treating me with vicoprofen about six months ago -- he wrote a prescription for two pills a day, but I only take that many if the pain is severe and I have to stay up later than usual. I never take more than the recommended dosage at any given time.

Two months after I was put on vicoprofen, I noticed that my hair had thinned considerably. My hairline has appeared to recede as well, though it's entirely possible that it hasn't and I'm just mindful of it for the first time. I started taking Propecia, and after four months, I haven't noticed much of a difference (I still lose as much hair as I used to in the shower, and my hair doesn't appear much thicker). I'm 24 years old, with no baldness in my family at all, and what hair I do have is fairly thick and curly, so my hair loss seems unusual.

Also, I have been under a tremendous amount of stress during the past two years, both in my job and personal life. The main cause of my stress is my health problems, so there has been literally no escape from it. I'm always tired and depressed as a result. The hair loss is yet another thing over which I am stressed - I have to admit, I think about it constantly throughout the day. I'm in the process of seeking counseling.

My question: which is the most likely cause of my hair loss -  the vicoprofen, normal male pattern baldness, or stress? While the vicoprofen does produce mild flushing in my cheeks and what feels like a slight tingling on my scalp (though I noticed this only after I noticed the hair loss, which leads me to believe the tingling is caused by anxiety), I've read no reports of it causing hair loss; my gut feeling is that it’s either normal hair loss or caused by stress.

If you reach the conclusion that the vicoprofen is likely causing my hair loss, what would you recommend instead?

Thanks.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I agree that the medication you're taking is not likely to be the cause of your hair loss.  The likely causes are, as you suggest, heredity and/or stress.  Propecia is your best bet for holding on to the hair you have, and perhaps growing some.  Perhaps you haven't been on it long enough yet, so I would persevere.  It's not at all likely that you'll lose a lot more hair if you stay on it.  That, plus knowing that you're not aggravating the problem with the prostatitis drug, should help alleviate your stress, at least to some extent.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff