Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 9287

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 40. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Dr. Bob - Wellbutrin and hair loss?

Posted by Gale on July 28, 1999, at 3:26:33

Would like to know if you or your colleagues have had any patient complaints about hair loss w/ Wellbutrin. I am doing well on this med. but have lost 50% of my hair(overall thinning), loss starting while taking Zoloft, before I switched to Wellbutrin. Thought it might grow back after switched med's but it didn't. Other meds stable for at least a year--Synthroid and HRT (Estradiol and micron. progesterone). Have read many posts on Wellbutrin/hair loss connection, but all patient anecdotes, would appreciate a med. prof'ls opinion.

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 1999, at 1:21:28

In reply to Dr. Bob - Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Gale on July 28, 1999, at 3:26:33

> Would like to know if you or your colleagues have had any patient complaints about hair loss w/ Wellbutrin.

I'm sure if I've heard of this happening with Wellbutrin in particular, but it can with other antidepressants:

http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Hair-loss-with-medication.html

Bob

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss

Posted by Debbie Dubose on August 11, 1999, at 10:24:23

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 1999, at 1:21:28

> > Would like to know if you or your colleagues have had any patient complaints about hair loss w/ Wellbutrin.
>
> I'm sure if I've heard of this happening with Wellbutrin in particular, but it can with other antidepressants:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Hair-loss-with-medication.html
>
> Bob

>Everything I have read on Depakote lists hair loss as a major side-effect, and yet I don't recall reading anyone complaining about it. It doesn't seem to be such a major problem to me (I take vitamins and herbs along with it), but I don't want to wake up with my pillow covered with hair one morning. The weight gain is bad enough and it came almost overnight. Can you give me any details about Depakote and hair loss? I know each person reacts differently to the meds, but I do wonder why my docs warned so much more about hair loss and said I would either gain or LOSE weight with the Depakote. Now, I hear of no one loosing hair and very few loosing weight. But after a few months or years, will my hair fall out? Thanks, Debbie.

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?

Posted by Marly on January 22, 2002, at 16:18:14

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 1999, at 1:21:28

Just found your online thread, posted in 1998. I have been on Wellbutrin for two months and have been steadily losing my normally thick hair. I am *very* alarmed, and had no idea it was a side effect until coming online today.

Did the hairloss ever stop and did new hair grow back after a while, or did you quit taking Wellbutrin? I really like the drug but may quit taking it for this reason. If you quit taking it, did your hair grow back to its original state?

Thank you for sharing your experience,

Marly

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss? » Marly

Posted by Lorraine on January 22, 2002, at 23:55:19

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Marly on January 22, 2002, at 16:18:14

I did too on Wellbutrin. I think it's a listed side effect for the drug. (Go to RXlist.com). Apecia or something like that. Anyway I lost hair on it.

Lorraine

> Just found your online thread, posted in 1998. I have been on Wellbutrin for two months and have been steadily losing my normally thick hair. I am *very* alarmed, and had no idea it was a side effect until coming online today.
>
> Did the hairloss ever stop and did new hair grow back after a while, or did you quit taking Wellbutrin? I really like the drug but may quit taking it for this reason. If you quit taking it, did your hair grow back to its original state?
>
> Thank you for sharing your experience,
>
> Marly

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?

Posted by IsoM on January 23, 2002, at 1:41:29

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Marly on January 22, 2002, at 16:18:14

Marly, there's a number of ADs that can cause hair loss. Not every med will affect the same people the same way. I, too, lost hair on my ADs. I was rather alarmed but at least for me, the cycling of the hair follicle growth seems speeded up. I've been on ADs for +15 years & while I still lose lots of individual hairs, the total feel of my hair still feels as thick as before.

I think it's replaced as fast as I lose it. If I wished to grow my hair long, I'd probably find that it wouldn't grow as long as before. But seeing I keep it short now, I don't mind.


> Just found your online thread, posted in 1998. I have been on Wellbutrin for two months and have been steadily losing my normally thick hair. I am *very* alarmed, and had no idea it was a side effect until coming online today.
>
> Did the hairloss ever stop and did new hair grow back after a while, or did you quit taking Wellbutrin? I really like the drug but may quit taking it for this reason. If you quit taking it, did your hair grow back to its original state?
>
> Thank you for sharing your experience,
>
> Marly

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?

Posted by daltrey on October 6, 2002, at 22:09:18

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Marly on January 22, 2002, at 16:18:14

Dear Marly,

I took Prozac in 1994 for depression and within three months I had lost the majority of my hair. I had VERY THICK BEAUTIFUL HAIR! Since then, doctors had me on different meds but nothing really worked. I've been off medications for 3 years and just started wellbutrin three days ago. After reading your post I am so frightened to take any more of it as I don't want any more hair loss. I did regrow some hair but my hair has NEVER returned to its original stage. The texture has changed. I used to have curly course hair and now it's baby fine and frizzy. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS SAME REACTION? I also feel that these drugs erased my memory. I would be grateful to hear other stories and get further information.

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss? » daltrey

Posted by Marly T. on October 7, 2002, at 0:34:53

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by daltrey on October 6, 2002, at 22:09:18

Dear Daltry,

I did a lot of research during the time I posted that note, and unfortunately hair loss is *not* uncommon with Wellbutrin. I took myself off of it immediately, and now, nine months later, my hair has grown back to 90% of what it was before taking the drug. In another couple of months it may be completely back to normal, but frankly, I'm already thrilled with the 90%. It was a horrible time in my life, watching my hair grow thinner by the day. If drugs have already made your hair fall out in the past, then you are PRONE to drug-related hair loss. If I were you, I'd stop taking it now and do a ton of research on anti-depressants to find one that will work for you without hair loss. Just go to google.com and put in a drug's name and add "and hair loss" and see what comes up. It really is unfortunate about Wellbutrin. I took it for two months, and it worked wonders in other aspects of my life, but I could NOT bear to lose my hair. You'd think the Wellbutrin folks would solve this. I was thankful that I figured out what was causing the hair loss before I took it any longer. Good luck.

Marly

> Dear Marly,
>
> I took Prozac in 1994 for depression and within three months I had lost the majority of my hair. I had VERY THICK BEAUTIFUL HAIR! Since then, doctors had me on different meds but nothing really worked. I've been off medications for 3 years and just started wellbutrin three days ago. After reading your post I am so frightened to take any more of it as I don't want any more hair loss. I did regrow some hair but my hair has NEVER returned to its original stage. The texture has changed. I used to have curly course hair and now it's baby fine and frizzy. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS SAME REACTION? I also feel that these drugs erased my memory. I would be grateful to hear other stories and get further information.
>
>

 

Re: Has anyone tried zinc/selenium?

Posted by Tabßitha on October 7, 2002, at 14:51:07

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss? » daltrey, posted by Marly T. on October 7, 2002, at 0:34:53

Dr Bob's tips recommend this, though I'm not clear if it's just for Depakote-induced hair loss. I lost a lot of hair on Effexor, stopped that med, but still lose hair on neurontin+celexa. With this combo, I don't think my hair is noticeably thinner overall, it's just all different lengths since it's constantly falling out and growing in. The worst thing is the mess-- hair everywhere in my house, car, and the shower drain, yuck.

 

Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?

Posted by samara on October 22, 2002, at 8:29:01

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss? » daltrey, posted by Marly T. on October 7, 2002, at 0:34:53

I had a seizure last week, which my doctor believes was triggered by Wellbutrin. In searching the web for more info I came across a list of side-effects for this drug that included hair loss. I went to a dermatologist two months ago because my hair was falling out, but she did not make the connection and just put me on Rogaine. I have now stopped Wellbutrin and like others in this thread am scared to death of my hair not growing back. If you have experience with this I'd love to hear it. Has anyone else tried Rogaine for this problem?—- NB to anyone who is taking this drug: Take the risk of seizure seriously!! It was the most frightening thing I have ever experienced and I am now having to get CT scans, MRIs, etc.

 

Re: Hair loss » Dr. Bob

Posted by Dinah on October 22, 2002, at 12:02:49

In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and hair loss?, posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 1999, at 1:21:28

I started losing hair by the handfuls after a brief trial of Effexor. Unfortunately it did not end with discontinuing the Effexor and still continues three months later, although at a lesser rate.

I just went to get my hair cut and mentioned that I wanted it short so that it at least wouldn't look so scary to see it come out. My hairdresser said that it might be the medication, but she's seen it happen from severe stress alone. Well the Effexor definitely stressed me, and I've been somewhat stressed since.

The good news is that I have noticed little tendrils growing back. (Which is kind of neat since I've never had that ballerina tendril kind of look before). She also confirmed that she could see new growth. The bad news is that it's growint in mostly grey, but then I'm getting to that age. :)

So don't worry about the hair loss overly much. I think our bodies adjust to those things.

I hope things go well with all the tests. That alone has to be causing you significant stress.

Dinah

 

Re: Sorry, obviously meant for Samara (nm)

Posted by Dinah on October 22, 2002, at 12:03:49

In reply to Re: Hair loss » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2002, at 12:02:49

 

Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah

Posted by Tabßitha on October 24, 2002, at 3:20:55

In reply to Re: Hair loss » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2002, at 12:02:49

Samara, I've never heard of permanent hair loss from meds. It will come back if you stop the med, or even sometimes if you keep taking it. Mine falls out and grows back all the time, so I've always got a head full of those little tendrils. Overall my hair looks more frizzy than before. Someone else here posted about the same effect.

Dinah, I think 3 months isn't necessarily long enough to get over the med hair loss. The effect is delayed about 3 months from when your follicles get the shock to when it falls out, so it could still be falling from the effexor. I'm glad you posted anyway, b/c I also lost huge handfuls on effexor, and my pdoc was skeptical since it's listed as a side effect for only like 1/1000 people (yeah right). I posted an adverse reaction report on effexor at the FDA site, that helped a little.

 

Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah

Posted by samara on October 24, 2002, at 8:31:00

In reply to Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah, posted by Tabßitha on October 24, 2002, at 3:20:55

> Samara, I've never heard of permanent hair loss from meds. It will come back if you stop the med, or even sometimes if you keep taking it. Mine falls out and grows back all the time, so I've always got a head full of those little tendrils. Overall my hair looks more frizzy than before. Someone else here posted about the same effect.
>
> Dinah, I think 3 months isn't necessarily long enough to get over the med hair loss. The effect is delayed about 3 months from when your follicles get the shock to when it falls out, so it could still be falling from the effexor. I'm glad you posted anyway, b/c I also lost huge handfuls on effexor, and my pdoc was skeptical since it's listed as a side effect for only like 1/1000 people (yeah right). I posted an adverse reaction report on effexor at the FDA site, that helped a little.

Thanks dinah and tabitha for info and encouragement. Maybe I'm being paranoid but the incidence of certain side effects seems higher than that reported by manufacturers. I wonder if studies are ongoing or if they are relying on old data.

 

Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah

Posted by daltrey on October 24, 2002, at 11:27:14

In reply to Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah, posted by samara on October 24, 2002, at 8:31:00

I know this is a "strange" question, but, has anyone ever had a bad side effect from smoking marijuana and taking wellbutrin?

 

Happy to have something else to blame on Effexor! (nm) » Tabßitha

Posted by Dinah on October 24, 2002, at 11:46:41

In reply to Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah, posted by Tabßitha on October 24, 2002, at 3:20:55

 

Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah » samara

Posted by Tabßitha on October 25, 2002, at 1:35:48

In reply to Re: Hair loss, Samara / Dinah, posted by samara on October 24, 2002, at 8:31:00

I agree, the odious side effects always seem to be under-reported in the offical studies. I've never been in a drug trial, so I don't really know what goes on, but I'll bet the studies are short-term, and they use selective questionnaires about side effects. Once they get FDA approval I can't imagine they'd bother to keep up the studies. Something's fishy anyway.

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss

Posted by onlyme on June 12, 2003, at 0:02:27

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by Debbie Dubose on August 11, 1999, at 10:24:23

i'm a 25 yr old female who"s been taking depakote for nearly 10yrs to control seizures. Recently(within 2-3yrs) i've noticed hairloss. it started off at the top of my head then it started to proceed to the frontal part. and now its thining all over the top of my head, its so depressing to even look in the mirror nowadays. i've researched here and there a to see if it were the medication that's making my hair fall out or something else. i found out that depakote does make hair fall out and i was wondering is there something that makes my hair grow back or prevent more hairloss? such as certain types of vitamins or herbs? and also another thing if u dont mind answering...depakote is pregancy D...so does that mean its not a good idea to get pregnant? i would be grateful if u could answers these questions. thank you:)

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss » onlyme

Posted by fallsfall on June 12, 2003, at 7:18:10

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by onlyme on June 12, 2003, at 0:02:27

I took Depakote for a couple of months and it made my hair fall out. I noticed it in my brush and particularly in the shower. I have very thin hair (and I think hair is a particularly important feature for people), so I panicked. The Depakote wasn't working well, so I stopped taking it. It took another month for the hair to stop falling out.

I went to a hairdresser and asked what I should do. She had me try products called Nioxin. There were 3 products: shampoo, conditioner (called "Scalp Therapy"), and a liquid you squirt on when combing your hair out. These are supposed to encourage hair growth. I think that they have. They have a minty scent and you can only get them in beauty salons.

You might want to go to a stylist and see what they would recommend for you. There is also Rogaine for Women.

Good luck!!

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss

Posted by Abby91902 on June 13, 2003, at 10:24:39

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by onlyme on June 12, 2003, at 0:02:27

Hi, I attended a workshop yesterday and it just so happens that hairloss from Depakote was a subject. The psychiatrist recommended selium and zinc for hairloss. He also suggested that Centrum Silver has both selium and zinc in the dosage recommended. Good luck

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss

Posted by Sunnely on June 13, 2003, at 21:58:01

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by onlyme on June 12, 2003, at 0:02:27

Hair Loss (Alopecia) and Depakote (divalproex sodium or valproate):

First, make sure that the hair loss is not due to other medical/psychiatric reason(s). For example, underactive thyroid can cause cause hair loss. A psychiatric condition called "trichotillomania" (compulsive hair pulling) can also cause hair loss. If other conditions have been ruled, you are psychiatrically stable with Depakote and must remain on this medication, consider taking daily supplement of selenium and zinc.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for selenium is 70 mcg (microgram) daily while the RDA for zinc is 15 mg (milligram). For hair loss due to Depakote, higher doses of selenium/zinc combination is recommended such as 200 mcg selenium and 100 mg zinc. Those who are already taking a multivitamin could change to a brand called "One Source" from Wal-Mart, which already contains 200 mcg of selenium. However, it only has the RDA for zinc, so it would still be necessary to take an additional zinc supplement.

Depakote and Pregnancy:

The "Category D" based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) use-in-pregnancy ratings of drugs means there is positive evidence of risk, in this case, Depakote. Category D further indicates that studies in humans, or investigational or postmarketing data, have demonstrated fetal risk. Nevertheless, potential benefits from the use of the drug may outweigh the potential risk. For example, the drug may be acceptable if needed in a life-threatening situation or serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective.

Depakote can cause teratogenicity (fetal deformities) particularly neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida, anencephaly) with first-trimester exposure. Offspring of mothers taking valproate have been reported to have an incidence rate of 1% - 1.5%. Women of childbearing age, whether on Depakote or not, should take 400 mcg of folic acid, prophylactically (usually included in once-a-day multivitamins). Women who are on Depakote and planning to become pregnant should discuss this issue with their psychiatrist and obstetrician behorehand. If it is necessary to continue Depakote because of the significant risk of a disruptive relapse of the psychiatric illness during pregnancy, the patient should be started on folic acid 1 mg once a day, early in the pregnancy and an ultrasound should be ordered at 18-20 weeks to assess for fetal abnormalities.

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss

Posted by Antindies on December 3, 2003, at 11:56:12

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by Abby91902 on June 13, 2003, at 10:24:39

I have suddenly been having seizures and a neurologist prescribed Depakote ER, 500 mg 2 x day. He says there is new formulation where this (hair loss) is no longer a factor, at least not as bad as previously.

Can any doctor out there confirm this is right, or, alternatively, that there is no new reformulation other than extended-release?

 

Re: Depakote and hair loss

Posted by onlyme on December 3, 2003, at 22:54:27

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by Sunnely on June 13, 2003, at 21:58:01

hey guys...thanks for the relpies.
i've tried the selenium and the zinc, but no suck luck. it seems like its slowing down the hairloss but i'm not sure. Cause one day it may seem a tad bit fuller and the next day i still see loads of hair either in the shower or on my brush. but i'm grateful for all of those who relpied back. thank you, if u guys still have more information about Depakote (for seizure control) and hairloss please relpy back.
thanks:)

 

Re: Meds and hair loss - solution?

Posted by Mememe on December 16, 2003, at 0:40:28

In reply to Re: Depakote and hair loss, posted by onlyme on December 3, 2003, at 22:54:27

I mentioned the hairloss problem to my hairdresser, and she suggested Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. See: http://www.nioxin.com/faqs/index.cfm

I appreciate everyones' posts. I was about to ask my pdoc about adding Wellbutrin to the zoloft I am taking (because I have gained 30 lbs on Zoloft). Now I won't suggest the Wellbutrin! Any other suggestions for losing weight on Zoloft?

 

Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? » Mememe

Posted by Franz on December 16, 2003, at 13:07:55

In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution?, posted by Mememe on December 16, 2003, at 0:40:28

sorry but i do not see how that product could help with medicine induced hair loss


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