Tamoxifen & Hair Growth

Tamoxifen, brand named as Nolvadex, is an estrogen-inhibiting drug used to treat and prevent invasive breast cancer. The drug causes menopausal-like side effects, but few patients experience hair loss or lack of hair growth.

Menopausal Symptoms

The affect on hair growth with use of Tamoxifen can be associated with menopausal symptoms. Some women, during menopause (or when they are supposed to experience menopause), lose hair.

Genetics

Because some women are prone to lose hair due to genetics when estrogen is lacking, the same group of women on Tamoxifen may be confronted with the issue.

Time of Hair Growth Change

According to Dr. Kevin Fox, an assistant director at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, if hair loss occurs, in most patients it is only a temporary side effect and normal hair growth will eventually resume.

Other Medications

Another factor that can affect hair growth while patients are taking Tamoxifen are other medications that are concurrently being used in the treatment process.

Patient Population

Tamoxifen is said to rarely cause hair loss, and only 1 to 5 percent of patients on the drug see such a side effect.

References

• Tamoxifen: Questions and Answers
• Hair Loss in Rare Patients on Tamoxifen

Resources

• BreastCancer.org