Hormone replacement and hair loss

Q: I am convinced that hormone replacement is contributing to my hair loss along with medications for cholesterol and blood pressure. Some of my friends also are complaining that their hair is thinning. One is on Prempro, another takes natural hormones and blood pressure medicine.

My doctor seems unconcerned, but this is a real worry. Do you have a list of medicines that cause hair loss so I can ask for a drug that is not on the list?

A: Hundreds of medications can contribute to hair thinning or loss. You are right that hormones such as Premarin and Prempro can trigger this problem. So can blood pressure pills such as atenolol, metoprolol and verapamil. Some cholesterol-lowering drugs such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor) also have been linked to hair loss.