Does Erivedge (visomodegib) Cause Hair Loss?
March 22, 2018
Erivedge & Hair Loss, Hair Thinning
What is Erivedge (visomodegib)?
Erivedge or visomodegib capsule is a prescription oral chemotherapy medication for adults with basal cell carcinoma skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or that has come back after surgery or cannot be treated with surgery or radiation. At Bauman Medical, chemo hair loss expert Dr. Alan Bauman has examined, evaluated and successfully treated patients who have experienced hair loss, baldness, hair thinning and-or alopecia from Erivedge (vismodegib).
What is the Mechanism of Erivedge – vismodegib?
Vismodegib is a Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor. By disrupting the hedgehog pathway signal which drives cancer cell growth, Erivedge prevents the cancer from growing. Hedgehog pathways may also be responsible for many of the side effects of Erivedge. For example, Sonic Hedgehog signaling is required for hair follicle development in a fetus and for regulating hair follicle growth and cycling in the adult.
What are some known side effects of Erivedge visomodegib?
In addition to loss of taste, muscle pain, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, birth defects, fetal death, diarrhea and fatigue, Hair Loss, alopecia, and-or thinning of scalp and body hair is a known side effect of Erivedge visomodegib. Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out when taking Erivedge. This means that hair breakage, shedding and changes in texture of your hair are possible side effects. In addition to scalp hair loss, Erivedge can cause loss of any body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, eyebrows and nose hairs. It is assumed that interruption of the Hedgehog pathway is a possible cause of changes in hair follicle function and hair fiber production in those taking the cancer drug Erivedge visomodegib.
Hair Loss and Erivedge Medication for Cancer
Hair Loss is the second side effect listed in the FDA-approved label for Erivedge and seems to be one of the more common side effects of this chemotherapy drug.
Is vismodegib hair loss permanent?
All of the details of hair loss due to Erivedge vismodegib are not known. Hair usually starts to regrow after the treatment is completed, but could take months or longer to fully regrow. Accounts of incomplete or partial hair regrowth have been reported.
What can be done about temporary hair loss or alopecia with Erivedge?
If vismodegib is causing temporary alopecia or hair loss, the use of a 3D-Printed Cranial Prosthesis or non-surgical medical-grade hair replacement system may be an excellent option. A CNC hair prosthesis functions beyond a typical medical wig or hair replacement system.
What should I do if I have hair loss related to Erivedge?
First, notify your prescribing doctor immediately of any side effects with Erivedge.
If hair loss side effects occur, seek out a qualified, credentialed (ABHRS, FISHRS, IAHRS) and experienced Hair Restoration Physician. Seek out an MD who has the ability to scientifically evaluate, measure and monitor your hair loss and hair regrowth and has access to the best treatments available. Bottom line, ask an expert. You may ask Dr. Alan Bauman a question about Erivedge hair loss and receive information about what to do if you experience hair loss with Erivedge vismodegib.
What kind of treatments will help hair regrowth after Erivedge vismodegib?
As long as hair follicles remain viable and not permanently damaged, treatments such as laser therapy (LaserCap 224 or CapillusRX), PRP Platelet Rich Plasma, Topical Formula 82M Minoxidil as well as nutritionals/supplements for hair support (Viviscal Pro, Nutrafol) may be good options. If some hair follicles are irreversibly damaged in small areas, FUE hair transplantation with SmartGraft, NeoGraft or ARTAS robotic-system may be required to restore coverage. If large numbers of hair follicles over a large area of scalp are damaged and do not respond to therapy, non-surgical hair replacement with CNC 3D-printed hair prosthesis may be an option.
Learn more about hair loss from Erividge visomodegib at http://www.baumanmedical.com/visomodegib-erivedge-hair-loss/