Posted by monkeypants on January 18, 2005, at 15:44:39
In reply to Re: topamax, Wellbutrin and hair loss » stresser, posted by redscarlet on January 15, 2005, at 20:44:46
I also took Wellbutrin & Topamax for about 3 years. I don't think the Wellbutrin contributed to hair loss because I've taken it for much longer than the tmax (10 years) with minimal side effects (I have mild difficulty falling asleep & hyperactivity at times).
My hair did thin a bit while I took Topamax, but even more bothersome was the extreme dry scalp it gave me (anyone else?) I know it can cause decreased sweating (causing the body to overheat at times), so I imagine that the cause of dry scalp is the reduction of moisture to the skin.
I've since switched from Topamax to Lamictal (2 months ago) and notice a mild improvement in my hair quality, but still have pronounced dandruff/dry, itchy scalp that doesn't respond to anti-dandruff shampoos. I'm not sure if the topamax has a long half-life or stays in your system after you stop taking it--does anyone know?
monkeypants
> I was on Topamax for over two plus years and I lost TONS and TONS of hair during the entire time I was taking it.
> I even took mega dosages of biotin and many other vitamins but they had no effect on the hair loss.
> My hair was also very dry.
> Unfortunately hair loss can be a side effect from both the Topamax and Wellbutrin for some people.
> I was also on Wellbutrin 450mgs for all of 2004 (just went off as of this month 1/05) but had no hair loss from it myself.
> (note: I was not on the Wellbutin & Topamax at the same time)
> But I have remained on all the vitamins even after being off the Topamax for a year.
> I'm still trying to get my hair back !
> I now take Zonegran (been on it since 1/04) which is very similar to Topamax. In fact they say it's a cleaner med then the Topamax, meaning the side effect profile is much less.
> You may ask her doctor about the Zonegran if the Topamax is working except for the hair loss.
> However I have heard of some people having the hair loss on the Zonegran, but that is not so for me and I think far fewer people have that side effect from the Zonegran then the Topamax.
> HTH... :-)
>
poster:monkeypants
thread:5053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/443780.html