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6mp (Mercaptopurine) Hair Loss

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/5/2014 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sure Its been posted before but I figured I would see if theres any new info.

I was diagnosed with Pancolitis (ulcerative colitis) 4 years ago. I had a bad flare up in winter and started a new medication called Uceris along with Mercaptopurine in March.
I began to feel much better after 8 weeks on the Uceris with no side effects like the prednisone I used before. My doctor told me to stop the Uceris after the 8 week mark and continue with the mercaptopurine. I am still feeling better now, but I have less energy and I believe my hair is getting noticeably thinner..
Every time I run my fingers through my hair it comes out, the shower and sink get covered in more than before. I know it sounds vain but I am freaking out. My pony tail is about half as thick as it was and I had thin hair to begin with.
What should I do?? Im terrified of losing it all. I dont want to stop the medication because it is working for my UC but I hate this side effect..
Has anyone tried any shampoos or remedies to make it quit?

Please help cry
Posted 6/5/2014 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
That's normal. Happened to me too. The hair loss got less after some time
Posted 6/5/2014 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
How bad did yours get? Terribly noticeably? Is there any shampoo I can use or supplement?
Posted 6/5/2014 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
I've had it before but your new hair will start to grow back after your body heals. Some of your hair loss could be from mal-nutrition from the flare and some of the hair loss is from 6-mp but your body will adjust to that too.
Posted 6/5/2014 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I had major hair loss from a similar drug, imuran @ 150 mg back in 2006. It clogged the bathtub drain every time I took a shower, and I had to clean it out daily. It went away after discontinuation of the drug.
Posted 6/5/2014 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
I still don't understand why you can't take Uceris for more than 8 weeks. For God's sake, prednisone is FAR worse and I have yet to hear one GI say you can't take prednisone more than 8 weeks. Some wind up taking prednisone for years! I understand the studies with Uceris ended at 8 weeks and maybe insurances won't cover it for more than 8 weeks. Other than that, in the interest of patient's health, you should take the Uceris for 8 weeks and if it works well you should continue with it maybe every other day or every third day, NEVER stopping. This would have solved the 6MP problem. Uceris was already working and 6MP might not have ever been needed. Side effect wise it may have been much better to take Uceris every third day instead of taking 6MP at all.
Posted 6/6/2014 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I LOVED the uceris. I felt awesome.. Had energy and no side effects. I also wondered why this couldn't be used at a maintenance drug.. I never had the cravings, mood swings, moon face or other side effects that I had while on prednisone for the short 3 months I took it!
Uceris worked wonders for my severe UC, so I would recommend it to anyone.. And the 6mp seems to be keeping me in remission. It's just the stupid hair loss I hate.
I'm assuming I will continue to take the 6mp until I have another flare up.. Correct?
Or once I get to a nice plateau with my health I can stop the medicine ?
I'm new to my meds actually WORKING So I'm not sure what you do once remission is achieved for awhile.
Posted 6/6/2014 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
UC is forever. Meds have to be used forever. It's a horrible mistake to reach remission, quit drugs, and then have a flare worse than before where often what got you into remission won't work as well next time around, sometimes not at all. The secret is to never have another flare by continuing meds forever, even if you have been in remission for 30 years. Too many have learned this the hard way.
Posted 6/6/2014 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I too am taking Imuran (150mg) and have been since September 2011.

I also had thin hair before I started and lost a lot exactly as you describe.

It stopped falling out dramatically about May 2012. So that gives you an idea.

I think its an adjustment to your body and the 6mp.

You can have hope it will be back nice and healthy.
Posted 6/6/2014 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
I use regular shampoo, nothing special.

And I agree with Gary. Keep your maintenance drugs. Don't quit them. Next flares get harder to treat. I have 12 years of experience with this.
Posted 6/7/2014 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on 6mp for about 5 months now and have lost quite a bit of hair, too. I always had nice, thick hair and it's kind of jarring to be able to see my scalp where the part is. I keep telling myself it's better that than having painful diarrhea! But it def bums me out. I started using a volumizing shampoo and it seems to help a bit. I've been wearing my hair curly which also seems to fill in the thinner spots. I've read that once you go off the 6mp your hair will grow back in but my doc wants me on it for at least a year. I just had a colonoscopy and am still inflamed so it may be longer than that. I've even thought about hair extensions or wigs but haven't tried either.
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