Question
I am having trouble with hair loss, is it as a result of the HIV meds?
28 February 2011. Related: All topics, Side effects.
Dear all,
Once again thanks for your continued advise and guidance.
I was diagnosed HIV positive and in Dec 2009 I started meds immediately with a CD4 count of 150 and viral load of over 500,000.
I am on Atripla, I reached an undetectable viral load of 47 for the first time in June 2010 and this has also remained the only time that I’ve tested below 50 since than my viral load has always remained slightly above detectable between 54 and 60 (most recently). My HIV-clinician seems not concerned about this as it is not increasing significantly and the margin is so very small (in her words).
My question relates to my hair. I used to have strong, thick, bushy dark hair but have noticed since a month or two now how my hair suddenly has become thin and soft and it barely grows. My sister in law is on chemo-therapy and loosing her hair due to that but people have asked me if I am on chemotherapy as this is what it reminds people of. Can you see from the brief details above or from my medication any reason why this may be happening (thining of the hair and reduce speed of growth)? Is it just a case of me getting older (I am 39), the effect is so suddenly noticable though.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with hair loss. There are lots of things that can cause hair loss including stress, genetics, age and medication. In relation to HIV medication, 3TC has been known to cause hair loss, although this is rare. Whilst you are not taking 3TC, one of the drugs in Atripla called FTC or emtricitabine is very similar to 3TC. It is possible that changing to a combination of drugs which does not include FTC may stop the hair loss from occurring. You should talk to your HIV doctor about this.
As far as your viral load is concerned, your HIV doctor is right that having a detectable value of between 54 and 60 is not significant and could just be as a result of a lab error. If you find your viral load increases rather than just fluctuating around the 50-60 mark then you should first ask for an immediate re-test. If it is still increasing ask your doctor for a resistance test.
Many people get viral load ‘blips’ which is where the viral load increases to just above detectable levels and then goes down again. For more information about why this happens please follow this link
Please let us know how you get on.
Hi Kay,
The options that are available to you will depend on where it is that you live and what your treatment history is. The best thing to do is to talk to your HIV doctor.
What can I take that does not contain the FTC, losing my hair is becoming stressful…. help. Biktarvy put me as undetectable within a month of using, but this hair lost is not slowing down after 3 month .This is serious side effect
Hi Takeera, thanks. How much hair have you lost? This isn’t a common side effect with any of the three drugs in Biktarvy. If the hair changes are serious and happened very soon after starting one combination, you could talk to your doctor about trying a different combination – or switching back to the previous one. This is just to see whether anything changes but the timing might just be a coincidence. Many years ago, hair loss was reported as a rare side effect with lamivudine – which is very similar to emtricitabine that is in Biktarvy. This link was not supported by other studies though.
I’m currently taking Biktarvy and I want to know does this medication have loss of hair effect
Hi Victor,
Though not a known side effect, as Stribild contains FTC there is a possibility that the hair loss could be due to your meds. However, hair loss can be due to a number of issues. The best thing to do is to discuss this with your doctor. They may suggest that you use another combination.
I take stribild medication I”am starting to lose my hair does this medication have some type of FTC too please help me I”am starting to lose my hair
Hi Tony,
There’s no interaction between your ARVs and the other medication that you’re taking. Please see the following: https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/downloads/ajd45jg-4er5-67oy-ur43-009ert.pdf?interaction_ids%5B%5D=85756&interaction_ids%5B%5D=85752
Is your HIV under control? If it is, then I don’t know why you are experiencing weight loss. Hair loss isn’t a side effect of the ARVs.
I had high levels of bad cholesterol and triglyceride , also of PSA before taking Genvoya Should I have concern about this medicine ?
I am given ezetrol and gemfibrozil for cholesterol . Any worry about interactions.
I have lost a lot of hair and weight , skinny arms etc
Hi Kent,
Biotin is also called vitamin B7. But the website hiv drug interactions website only lists vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. With these vitamins it is recommended to separate taking elvitegravir/cobicistat and multivitamin preparations by at least 4 hours. But you can ask at the clinic about this to check.
Hi ,
I am currently taking Genvoya and my viral load is well undetectable. I was experiencing thinning of hair way before I’ve been diagnosed. I was wondering with the meds I’m taking , would biotin be of any harm to take in order to regain fullness of my hair ?