Is Famotidine (Pepcid) effective for treating hair loss?

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Last updated: March 16, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Famotidine (Pepcid) is not an effective treatment for hair loss, and patients should instead consider established treatments such as minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia) under the guidance of a dermatologist. The provided evidence from the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of alopecia areata 2012 1 does not support the use of famotidine for treating hair loss. The guidelines discuss various treatments for alopecia areata, including topical corticosteroids, minoxidil, and systemic corticosteroids, but do not mention famotidine as a treatment option.

Some key points to consider when treating hair loss include:

  • The importance of consulting a dermatologist to diagnose the specific type of hair loss and recommend evidence-based treatments
  • The use of established treatments such as minoxidil (Rogaine) and finasteride (Propecia) for male or female pattern baldness
  • The potential side effects of treatments, such as folliculitis with potent topical steroids 1
  • The lack of convincing evidence for the effectiveness of certain treatments, such as dithranol (anthralin) and minoxidil lotion for limited patchy alopecia areata 1

In the absence of robust scientific evidence supporting the use of famotidine for hair loss, it is recommended that patients prioritize established treatments and consult with a dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for their specific condition.

From the Research

Effectiveness of Famotidine for Treating Hair Loss

  • There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as none of the provided studies mention Famotidine (Pepcid) as a treatment for hair loss.
  • The studies provided discuss various other treatments for hair loss, including finasteride 2, 3, 4, 5, minoxidil 3, 4, 5, 6, and dutasteride 4, 5.
  • These studies suggest that finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride may be effective treatments for hair loss, particularly for androgenetic alopecia 2, 3, 4, 5.
  • However, without further research, it is unclear whether Famotidine (Pepcid) would be an effective treatment for hair loss 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Finasteride treatment of hair loss in women.

The Annals of pharmacotherapy, 2010

Research

Hair Loss: Diagnosis and Treatment.

American family physician, 2024

Research

Oral minoxidil treatment for hair loss: A review of efficacy and safety.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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