Hair loss is a potential but uncommon side effect of Humira (adalimumab). Hair loss wasn’t reported during the drug’s studies, but has been reported since Humira was approved for use.
Humira is a prescription medication used to treat a number of chronic (ongoing) autoimmune and inflammation-related conditions in adults and some children.
Hair loss is considered a rare side effect of Humira, since there were no reports of this side effect in the drug’s studies. Since Humira came on the market, there have been reports of hair loss, but it’s unclear how many people were affected or if Humira was the actual cause.
In one small study, there were 62 cases of different types of hair loss reported by people who had taken a TNF blocker. (This is the group of drugs Humira belongs to.) These people typically lost a few small patches of hair during TNF-blocker treatment, but their hair often grew back after the treatment ended.
How TNF blockers cause hair loss is uncertain. Hair loss may be an autoimmune response to the condition the drug is being taken to treat, a side effect of the drug itself, or caused by another reason entirely.
Depending on the severity and cause of your hair loss, your doctor may recommend treatment options. These may include light therapy, topical medications such as minoxidil, or other hair loss treatments.
Biotin (a B vitamin) is sometimes recommended to help treat hair loss because of the role it plays in keratin production. (Keratin is a protein that makes up your hair, nails, and skin.) While biotin may help strengthen hair and improve its overall health, there’s little scientific evidence to support its effectiveness in stopping or reversing hair loss.
If you’re taking Humira, and you notice hair loss, it’s important to contact a doctor. It’s possible that Humira could be causing hair loss as a side effect, but it could be a different condition or factor.