Hairloss caused by antidepressants??

[cgeiger71]

Has anyone ever experience hairloss from use of antidepressants?  I have been taking Pristiq (the new Brand Name replacement for Effexor) for the last 3 months. This morning when I took a shower, my hair started coming out in large clumps...enough that it completely clogged the tub drain. I was mortified! My sister experience hairloss from taking Wellbutrin several years ago, but she had been on an unusually high dose and for an extended period of time. I am also on several other meds for Migraines and also am taking Mirtazapine and Xanax. If anyone has a clue if this might be the cause please let me know...Thanks.

[delmars]

Hello to you,

    I don't care what ANYONE says. I was on Lexapro for years and it DID make my hair thin out first and then start to fall out.  I eventually was able to stop the meds and six months later my hair was full and normal again.  You will be o.k.

[cgeiger71]

Well, here's my doctor's answer to my hair loss. Between July and September of this year when I was going through the most severe period of my depression I lost a significant amount of weight. (around 50 lbs). I have now gained back about 15 of what I lost, but she says the hair loss is a residual effect of the weightloss. I'm not sure if I buy that explanation or not, but there it is. I am still losing hair..I hope it doesn't keep up for too much longer. My hair is fairly thick, but it won't be for very long if this doesn't stop.

So does anyone else have an opinion on this explanation?

Thanks so much for your input!!!

[jdtm]

My sister had some hair loss when she was taking Celexa.  We don't know if the medication was the reason or not.

[Asib]

Yes I have been on pristiq it says for women over age 50 it can happen. It’s happening to me. Huge clumps in the vacuum. Horrid. Or either that or an increase in Wellbutrin.

[specialmom]

wow, that would be bad. You aren't pulling it out, it just comes out?

[cgeiger71]

I called the pharmacist and he said that hair loss is not listed as a side effect for any of the meds I am on. I called my doctor and I am going in to see her tomorrow. I guess I'll see what she has to say and let you know. Someone else suggested that it might be the Topamax that I take for my migraines. Hopefully I can get this all cleared up tomorrow.

[Lizz67]

I've never had severe hair loss from meds, but I have had diffuse loss which began when I started Lamictal three years ago. I have a slight bald spot on the crown of my head.  I just noticed it and I don't know if it's noticable to other people.

But with my ongoing loss I lose hair most noticably in the shower.  I clogged my drain last year.  But my hair is think and curly, which makes the it less of a cosmetic problem.  (The bald/thin spot is bothersome, but I feel the Lamictal is helping me too much to stop over this).

[birdie0907]

Call a pharmacist (preferably yours) because they can look all this up and put your mind to rest instantly if it is not a side effect.