A TEACHER took his own life after using an unlicensed hair loss drug he bought online, an inquest heard.
Sam Applegarth, 31, had no history of mental health problems before the tragedy.
Ben LackSam Applegarth took his own life after taking hair-loss drugs[/caption]
Ben LackHis girlfriend Anya Guy has warned of the risks[/caption]
The PE teacher had recently started a course of dutasteride, which is not licensed for hair loss in the UK.
An inquest was told there are no known “suicidal ideation” side effects for the drug as there has been a failure to report such feelings by men taking the drug.
Sam’s heartbroken girlfriend Anya Guy has now urged anybody having similar thoughts after taking dutasteride to inform medics.
She said: “People feeling by side effects with dutasteride should report them, especially if they are feeling suicidal.
“People need to be aware that they may be having suicidal ideation because of the drug.”
Wakefield Coroner’s Court heard Sam was concerned about losing his hair since 2015.
He had been visiting Dr Bessam Farjo at his clinic in Manchester but was never prescribed any drugs.
However, Sam did take minoxidil, which is easily available over the counter at Boots, and finasteride without any side effects.
In 2017, he had a successful hair transplant at the Farjo Hair Institute and underwent platelet-rich plasma treatment to rejuvenate his hair.
Sam also had his head tattooed to give the appearance of hair, which Dr Farjo said he seemed “happy” with.
Sam last saw Dr Farjo in July 2024 and confirmed he was still taking minoxidil and finasteride tablets.
The medic told the court he suggested Sam undergo cognitive therapy to ease his anxiety about going bald.
Dr Farjo added: “He was a young man with an exaggerated view about how big an issue his hair loss was,” said the doctor.
“I had no concerns he was having any side effects from the drugs.”
The court was told Sam moved to Dubai to teach in August, last year, with Anya planning to join him at a later date.
She said he had “struggled at times with his self esteem” due to his perceived hair loss but his condition was not a bad as he believed.
The inquest heard Sam had no history of mental illness or self harm he was a “bright and happy individual”.
Sam was discovered dead in his apartment by a work colleague on September 19 – just five weeks after arriving in Dubai.
He left no suicide note and a post-mortem found no alcohol or drugs in his system, the inquest heard.
Dr Farjo said that “suicidal ideation” is one recognised side effect of taking finasteride.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
He told the hearing he was unaware Sam had begun taking dutasteride, which he described as “more powerful” than finasteride.
The doctor said the known side effects of both drugs are the same, apart from finasteride has been reported by the BNF to cause suicidal ideation.
Dr Farjo acknowledged there may be an underreporting of suicidal ideation by patients following a course of dutasteride.
He added: “Dutasteride is not licensed for hair loss in this country and it is not commonly prescribed.
“The reason the BNF suicide ideation is not mentioned for dutasteride is because it has not been reported, whereas it has been reported for finasteride.”
Coroner Oliver Longstaff ruled a verdict of suicide.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Ben LackSam had become anxious about losing his hair[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
