Does Naproxen cause hair loss?
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
Does Naproxen cause hair loss?
Naproxen may or may not cause hair loss. This side effect is not that common with occasional users of Naproxen. However, people who have been using this medication for a long period of time have complained of hair loss.
In fact, some case studies have reported bald patches upon chronic use of Naproxen. According to research studies, Naproxen and some other NSAIDs cause Telogen effluvium, the type of hair loss in which the medication attacks hair that is in resting phases. In contrast, hair present in the growth phase continues to grow normally.
Research studies on Naproxen and hair loss
There is limited research on Naproxen and hair loss and the incidence of this side effect is low. One case study included a woman who developed hair loss after taking Naproxen for pain relief91). A few other studies have also revealed such cases.
While these studies suggest a possible link between Naproxen and hair loss, more research is needed to confirm this relationship.
It is important to note that hair loss is a known side effect of many medications, especially some antihypertensives like beta-blockers (Propanolol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Labetalol, etc). So make sure you are not using any other medication along with Naproxen that may contribute to your hair loss.
Is hair loss on Naproxen reversible?
Yes, hair loss on Naproxen is reversible and as soon as the treatment with this NSAID is stopped, your hair starts going back to the normal growth cycle.
However, some people may recover earlier than others as our bodies heal at different rates. Talk to your healthcare provider if it’s been quite a while since you stopped using Naproxen but continue to lose hair.
What to do if Naproxen causes hair loss?
If Naproxen is causing hair loss, talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will determine the best possible way to prevent this side effect. Dose reduction may work for some people.
However, if Naproxen continues to affect your hair growth, your doctor will most likely switch you to another medication.
If your hair loss is severe, your doctor may also recommend topical Minoxidil – a medication well-known for its beneficial effects on hair growth(2).
According to the experts, Minoxidil produces an opposite effect than NSAIDs like Naproxen and causes hair regrowth after NSAID-induced hair loss(3).
This indicates that the use of Minoxidil could be quite beneficial for people who experience hair loss on Naproxen and other NSAIDs.
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References
1.-
Pichardo-Geisinger D, et al. Naproxen-induced alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;75(2):e69-e70. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.03.039
2.-
Rumsfield JA, West DP, Fiedler-Weiss VC. Topical minoxidil therapy for hair regrowth. Clin Pharm. 1987 May;6(5):386-92. PMID: 3311578. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3311578/
3.-
Michelet JF, Commo S, Billoni N, Mahé YF, Bernard BA. Activation of cytoprotective prostaglandin synthase-1 by minoxidil as a possible explanation for its hair growth-stimulating effect. J Invest Dermatol. 1997 Feb;108(2):205-9. doi: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12334249. PMID: 9008235. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9008235/
