Can Omeprazole Cause Hair Loss? Understanding the Risks and Reversibility

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

While considered a rare side effect, clinical resources like RxList and Cara Care list hair loss (alopecia) as a potential adverse reaction to omeprazole. This can occur through different physiological pathways, impacting individuals on the medication in distinct ways. If you're concerned and wondering, 'Can omeprazole cause hair loss?' and whether it is the reason for your thinning hair, understanding the science is the first step.

Quick Summary

Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, can rarely cause hair loss, potentially via nutrient malabsorption or triggering conditions like alopecia areata. This drug-induced hair loss is often reversible upon discontinuation. Management involves consulting a doctor to confirm the cause and discuss alternatives or supportive therapies like dietary changes.

Key Points

Hair Loss is a Rare Side Effect: Clinical evidence suggests that alopecia is an uncommon to rare side effect of omeprazole use.
Possible Nutrient Deficiencies: Long-term omeprazole use can decrease stomach acid, potentially leading to malabsorption of nutrients like iron and B12, which are vital for hair growth.
Association with Alopecia Areata: A study noted an association between PPIs and an increased risk of alopecia areata, though more research is needed to confirm a direct causal link.
Often Reversible: In most cases, drug-induced hair loss, including that potentially caused by omeprazole, is temporary and can resolve after the medication is stopped.
Consult a Doctor First: Never stop taking omeprazole without first speaking to your doctor, as they can help determine the actual cause of hair loss and recommend safe alternatives.
Manage with Diet and Supplements: Addressing potential nutrient deficiencies with a balanced diet rich in iron, zinc, and B vitamins can support hair health, especially for long-term users.
Topical Treatments Can Help: Products like minoxidil can be used to stimulate hair growth while investigating the root cause of hair loss.

Is Omeprazole-Induced Hair Loss a Common Concern?

Omeprazole, marketed under brand names like Prilosec, is a widely prescribed proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers. For most users, it is a safe and effective medication. However, like many drugs, it carries a risk of side effects, including hair loss, although this is considered an uncommon to rare occurrence. It is important to remember that not everyone who takes omeprazole will experience this side effect.

The Mechanisms Behind Omeprazole and Hair Loss

For those who do experience hair loss while on omeprazole, the mechanism is not fully understood but may be linked to several factors. These factors can disrupt the natural cycle of hair growth, leading to shedding or thinning.

Nutrient Malabsorption and Its Role

One of the most well-documented effects of long-term PPI use is a reduction in stomach acid. Stomach acid is essential for the proper absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency in these key nutrients can directly impact hair health:

Iron: An iron deficiency, a possible risk with long-term PPI use, is a known cause of hair loss. Iron helps red blood cells deliver oxygen to hair follicles, and without adequate levels, hair growth can be stunted.
Vitamin B12: Chronic reduction of stomach acid can impair vitamin B12 absorption. A deficiency in B12 can impact cell division and growth, including the hair follicles.
Zinc: Some evidence also suggests long-term PPI use could affect zinc absorption, a mineral vital for hair tissue growth and repair.

Omeprazole and Prostaglandins

Research has explored the link between omeprazole and prostaglandins, hormone-like substances involved in many body functions, including hair growth regulation. While some studies have reported omeprazole-induced hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) by increasing prostaglandin E2 levels in rare pediatric cases, it highlights that PPIs can affect the delicate balance of these chemical messengers. Disrupting the normal prostaglandin balance is a theoretical pathway that could, in some individuals, lead to hair loss rather than growth.

Association with Alopecia Areata

A 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found an association between proton pump inhibitors and an increased risk of alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to patchy hair loss. While the study established a correlation, it does not prove a direct causal link, and further research is needed to understand this relationship.

Comparison: Omeprazole vs. Other Common Causes of Hair Loss

It's crucial to consider other potential causes of hair loss, as they are often more common than medication side effects. Here is a comparison of omeprazole-induced hair loss versus other frequent triggers.


Feature	Omeprazole-Induced Hair Loss	Telogen Effluvium (Common)	Androgenetic Alopecia (Common)
Likelihood	Rare	Common, often temporary	Very common, often hereditary
Onset	Delayed, weeks to months after starting medication	Sudden, 2–3 months after a trigger event	Gradual, over months or years
Pattern	Diffuse thinning, generalized	Diffuse thinning, all over the scalp	Patterned thinning; receding hairline or crown in men, wider part in women
Cause	Possible nutrient deficiency, prostaglandin changes, or autoimmune trigger	Significant stress, illness, surgery, diet, childbirth	Hormonal (DHT) sensitivity and genetics
Reversibility	Often reversible upon discontinuation of drug	Usually resolves on its own once the trigger is removed	Progressive and often permanent without treatment

What to Do If You Suspect Omeprazole is the Cause

If you believe omeprazole is contributing to your hair loss, the first and most important step is to consult your prescribing doctor. You should never stop a medication without medical supervision, as doing so can be dangerous.

Your doctor will help you assess the situation by:

Excluding other causes: They will perform a thorough evaluation to rule out other, more common reasons for hair loss, such as nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or other medications.
Considering alternative treatments: Depending on your condition, your doctor may suggest switching to a different type of acid reflux medication, such as an H2 blocker (e.g., famotidine) or exploring alternative strategies.
Discussing discontinuation: If omeprazole is confirmed as the likely cause, your doctor may recommend a supervised plan for tapering off the medication, potentially exploring alternatives.

Supporting Hair Health While on Medication

For those who cannot stop taking omeprazole, or for those dealing with general hair thinning, focusing on overall health can be beneficial. Consider these strategies:

Prioritize nutrition: Ensure your diet is rich in hair-supporting nutrients. Good sources include lean protein (chicken, fish), iron-rich foods (spinach, lentils), biotin (eggs, nuts), and zinc (shellfish, nuts).
Use targeted supplements: Discuss taking supplements with your doctor to correct any potential deficiencies caused by long-term omeprazole use. Iron and B12 are particularly important to monitor.
Explore topical treatments: Topical minoxidil (e.g., Rogaine) can stimulate hair growth and increase density and is available over-the-counter.
Reduce stress: Stress is a known trigger for telogen effluvium, a type of temporary hair loss. Incorporating stress-management techniques can improve overall health.

Conclusion

While the possibility of omeprazole causing hair loss exists, it is a rare side effect. Potential mechanisms include nutrient malabsorption and, possibly, triggering conditions like alopecia areata in predisposed individuals. The good news is that drug-induced hair loss is most often reversible once the offending medication is discontinued under a doctor’s guidance. If you are experiencing thinning hair while taking omeprazole, do not stop the medication suddenly. Instead, talk to your doctor to determine the underlying cause and explore the safest and most effective management strategy for your specific situation. Addressing potential nutrient deficiencies and adopting a healthy lifestyle are also valuable steps to support hair health.

For more information on drug-induced hair loss, you can consult reputable sources like the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should never stop taking omeprazole or any other prescription medication without first consulting your doctor. A healthcare provider can help you safely and effectively explore potential alternatives or discontinuation plans.

Omeprazole may cause hair loss through a few mechanisms, including nutrient malabsorption (particularly iron and B12) due to reduced stomach acid and potentially triggering an autoimmune response like alopecia areata in rare cases.

Hair loss that is a side effect of medication is typically a temporary condition known as telogen effluvium. It is often reversible, and hair growth usually resumes within several months of discontinuing the drug.

The hair loss associated with omeprazole is most likely to be diffuse thinning (telogen effluvium) or, less commonly, linked to an autoimmune reaction causing patchy hair loss (alopecia areata).

For telogen effluvium, hair growth typically resumes within 6 to 9 months after stopping the medication, corresponding to the natural hair growth cycle.

Contact your doctor immediately. They can help identify if omeprazole is the cause and recommend a safe and effective plan, which may include switching medications, managing nutrient intake, or using topical treatments like minoxidil.

There are alternatives to PPIs, such as H2 blockers (e.g., famotidine), which may have a different side effect profile. Your doctor can help determine the best course of action for your specific medical needs.