Fatwa

Hair Loss Medication

Question

Assalamualaikum,

I have a couple issues I require clarification with.

1. I’ve been taking a medication for the past 3-4 years for treatment of hair loss, however I’m realizing it might be causing me sexual side effects (lower libido, erectile dysfunction, and such). I want to still take it because keeping my hair helps me with self-esteem a lot and I am not married so these side effects are not an issue for me, they possibly help me avoid haram sexual thoughts. However, these side effects could become permanent in very rare cases. But they haven’t for me when I got off it after all this time. Now, is it halal for me to continue this medication?
2. If this medication is haram for me in this case, am I allowed to lower the dose and see if the side effects still persist? Just to clarify, there’s nothing haram in the ingredients for the medication.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

If the medication does not contain any haram ingredient and does not have any long-lasting side effects, then it is permissible to take the prescribed medication for hair loss.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Muhammad I.V Patel

Concurred by
Mufti Bilal Pandor

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah

Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com