talkhealth forums

Does taking Either Zapain (painkiller) or Co-Codamol cause hair loss? Tried Betnovate Scalp Application prescribed by Dermatologist but it has not worked. I am 72 and have fibromyalgia which I manage. What other medication can I use please? Thanks

Hello and thank you for your question.

All medications can potentially cause hair loss but co-codamol is not one of the most common culprits. It also depends on the timing of hair loss and when medications were started. If co-codamol is a long standing regular medication you take and yet the hair loss is recent, I doubt this is the cause and there should be no problem in you continuing with this to manage the fibromyalgia. If the hair loss started soon after starting the medication I would suggest taking paracetamol only (and not the codeine) to see if this could be the issue.

Additionally there are many potential causes of hair loss and many different types of hair loss - it may be nothing to do with your medication at all. It is best to see a Dermatologist to have your hair loss fully assessed and diagnosed before considering any treatment.

Best wishes