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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Thinning Of Hair After Using Fluorouracil Ointment?

My wife has just completed a several week treatment regimen of fluorouracil ointment for pre-cancers on her face (forehead and temple areas) and has noticed a thinning of hair, most noticeable on the sides of her head. From what we can learn, hair loss seems to be a possible side effect of this drug, but we can t tell how common this is. The information online also indicates that this is a temporary hair loss. If so, when can she expect her hair to grow back? Thank you for any information you can give; as you can imagine, she is quite upset by this.
posted on Thu, 13 Apr 2017
Twitter Wed, 10 Oct 2018 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 10 Oct 2018 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

As you mentioned, hair loss is a possible side effect of this medication. It can occur in 10 to 29% of persons who use this medication.

Hair can regrow after completion of the course of medication. Unfortunately, it can take from a few weeks (3 to 4) to months for hair to start regrowing after completion of chemo.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Michelle Gibson James,
General & Family Physician
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What Causes Thinning Of Hair After Using Fluorouracil Ointment?

Hi, As you mentioned, hair loss is a possible side effect of this medication. It can occur in 10 to 29% of persons who use this medication. Hair can regrow after completion of the course of medication. Unfortunately, it can take from a few weeks (3 to 4) to months for hair to start regrowing after completion of chemo. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Michelle Gibson James, General & Family Physician