Can Simponi (golimumab) cause hair loss?
Hair loss has been reported with Simponi (golimumab), but it is not one of the most common or defining side effects. Like other medicines in the same class (TNF-alpha inhibitors), it can occasionally cause skin or hair-related reactions in some people.
What types of hair loss might happen?
Reports typically describe hair shedding or thinning rather than a guaranteed pattern of baldness. If hair loss occurs, it may show up weeks to months after starting treatment, but timing varies by person.
When to contact a doctor
Seek medical advice promptly if hair loss is sudden, severe, or comes with other symptoms such as:
- new rash or scalp irritation
- signs of infection (fever, sore throat, wounds that don’t heal)
- patchy hair loss that could suggest a different cause (for example, an autoimmune condition affecting the scalp)
Could something else be causing it?
Hair loss in people taking Simponi can also be related to non-drug factors, including the underlying condition being treated (for example, inflammatory arthritis can be associated with hair changes), recent illness, stress, iron deficiency, thyroid problems, or other medications. A clinician may check labs or review other drugs if hair loss persists.
What do patients usually do if it happens?
Patients commonly continue Simponi unless a clinician advises otherwise, since stopping or switching biologics can affect control of the underlying disease. A doctor may recommend scalp care, evaluate for reversible causes (like iron or thyroid issues), or consider alternative treatments if the hair loss is clearly linked and persistent.
Source
Sources cited
- DrugPatentWatch.com - Simponi (golimumab)