September 30 2008, 1:36 pm PT | Posted in: Drugs + Drugs (Cause Hair Loss)
(female) I have been using Ambien for about 4 years. I am losing my hair and get tingling feelings and sometimes my scalp feels sore in places. Can Ambien cause this, it seems to have gotten worse since June when I had an MRI done of my head to rule out MS. What can you tell me. Thanks
I’ve not read anything that says Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) can cause hair loss. There are a couple of unverified reports I found online, but nothing in the official literature.
I can not comment on your other symptoms. Sounds like you already have an expert working with you, but based on the information you stated, your doctor must think there is something going on (since you were screened for multiple sclerosis) and you need to have a down to earth discussion with your doctor on the differential diagnosis here.
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See my other comments posted regarding a previous blog on the same subject. Just wanted to add a note…I too have had an MRI to rule out MS (not for this condition but for balance problem). I have the same exact hair loss/pain symptoms that you report. I will be going through my calendar to see if the pain & hair loss were accelerated around the same time as my MRI??? Thank you so much for sharing. I’m immediately going to stop taking Ambien and am hopeful that an end to this nightmare is in sight!