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Is Long Term Use Of Azathioprine Advisable For Alopecia?
Question: My question is regarding alopecia. I have visited my doctor who have recommended me to take Azathioprine 50mg (take one tablet in the morning and one in the evening) and XXXXXXX Oratorio (Prednisolone 5mg, 2 tablets in the morning. If I am taking the tablets, my hair fall issue is decreased but since they are steroids and I have been taking them for 1 year which is not good. If I stop taking these tablets, my hair continues to fall down and patches start to show up in the scalp.
My question to you is that, what should I do as taking steroids for a long term had adverse side effects and if I stop taking these tablets, my hair continues to fall. Can you please suggest me anything in regards to this matter?
Looking forward to your positive response.
My question to you is that, what should I do as taking steroids for a long term had adverse side effects and if I stop taking these tablets, my hair continues to fall. Can you please suggest me anything in regards to this matter?
Looking forward to your positive response.
Brief Answer:
Need more information and Images
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed your treatment.
Judging from the treatment prescribed, which consists of immunosuppressives like azathioprine and oral steroids, it seems that you have either alopecia areata Or a particular form of cicatricial alopecia e.g Lichen planus pigmentosus Or pseudopelade
I would like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better..
Do you have any or history of skin lesions?bumps?Or scaling at the sites of hair loss?
Do you have any symptoms like itching?redness?discoloration of skin?
I would request you to kindly upload a few Images so that I am able to assess the condition better and hence guide you appropriately. You may upload an Image either at "Reports Section" Or You may mail me at YYYY@YYYY with the subject line as Attention:Dr.Kakkar.
Regards
Need more information and Images
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed your treatment.
Judging from the treatment prescribed, which consists of immunosuppressives like azathioprine and oral steroids, it seems that you have either alopecia areata Or a particular form of cicatricial alopecia e.g Lichen planus pigmentosus Or pseudopelade
I would like to gather more information from you in order to be able to guide you better..
Do you have any or history of skin lesions?bumps?Or scaling at the sites of hair loss?
Do you have any symptoms like itching?redness?discoloration of skin?
I would request you to kindly upload a few Images so that I am able to assess the condition better and hence guide you appropriately. You may upload an Image either at "Reports Section" Or You may mail me at YYYY@YYYY with the subject line as Attention:Dr.Kakkar.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Hi Dr. Kakkar,
Thanks for replying back to me.
I don't have any history of skin lesions but it does itch.
If I am taking the medicine, its absolutely fine but after leaving the medicine, the symptoms start back. It does itch plus there is a feeling like a lice is roaming around the scalp. There is no discoloration of the skin as well.
Do you recommend any other treatment or change of medicine?
Regards, XXXXXXX
Thanks for replying back to me.
I don't have any history of skin lesions but it does itch.
If I am taking the medicine, its absolutely fine but after leaving the medicine, the symptoms start back. It does itch plus there is a feeling like a lice is roaming around the scalp. There is no discoloration of the skin as well.
Do you recommend any other treatment or change of medicine?
Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Switch to topical steroids
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I would suggest switching over to topical steroid lotion e.g clobetasol propionate 0.05% solution, rather than Oral prednisolone. Azathioprine is safe and it is not an oral steroid. However, since azathioprine is an immunosuppressive it cannot be continued for ever and it requires monitoring of liver function and blood counts at regular intervals. What was the diagnosis suggested by your doctor, as a cause of your alopecia?
Regards
Switch to topical steroids
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I would suggest switching over to topical steroid lotion e.g clobetasol propionate 0.05% solution, rather than Oral prednisolone. Azathioprine is safe and it is not an oral steroid. However, since azathioprine is an immunosuppressive it cannot be continued for ever and it requires monitoring of liver function and blood counts at regular intervals. What was the diagnosis suggested by your doctor, as a cause of your alopecia?
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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