Side Effects...

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in March and in April an ulcer perforated my colon and I had an emergency colectomy.  I have had two surgeries and I am awaiting my third to complete the ileoanal pull through.  Over the time I was sick I took a number of medictaions in large amounts including asacol, rowasa, prednisone, flagyl, prilosec, prevacid and ferrous gluconate.  Has anyone experienced dramatic hairloss on these medications?  I have found that I am rapidly losing my hair and I'm worried that this will not stop despite the fact that I am off those medications.  Thanks for any info.

[John W.]

Hi:

Of all of those medications which you listed...if one is to be the culprit, it would be the Asacol. I'm not sure how many people actually get that side effect, but it is listed as a somewhat rare side-effect in the packaging.  But if it is still happening well after treatment, I'd consider another cause.

Hope this helps,
John W. (R.Ph)