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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 16 to 40 of 40. Go back in thread:
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
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.
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:)
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!!
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
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.
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?
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:)
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?
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
Posted by Mememe on December 17, 2003, at 13:05:53
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? » Mememe, posted by Franz on December 16, 2003, at 13:07:55
> sorry but i do not see how that product could help with medicine induced hair loss
If my hair were falling out or breaking off due to the meds, I would try it. I had questions about it, too, when I first heard about it, but I still wanted to pass on what I was told, just in case it does work.
Posted by mike_toronto on July 9, 2004, at 4:22:48
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by Mememe on December 17, 2003, at 13:05:53
I've been on 15mg of Remeron & 450mg of Wellbutrin for about six months and I've starting losing hair. I've always had a really thick, full head of dark hair and there's no baldness in my family on either side so I was really shocked to see it happening to me! I'm going to talk to my doctor this week about it being a possible side effect of the meds. The thing is it mostly looks like it's thinning all over the top but not so much on the sides. Does Wellbutrin usually cause this kind of hair loss or am I just (..gulp) natuarally losing my hair?? I don't want to get my hopes up but if it is indeed the Wellbutrin then this will in effect make me more depressed than if I went off it. If it is the case I hope it all comes back as the drugs leave my system. I'm actually really worried by site of the thinning hair & lately it's all I think about.
Posted by upsndowns on July 9, 2004, at 10:21:37
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by mike_toronto on July 9, 2004, at 4:22:48
Wellbutrin caused the same kind of hair loss with me, one of the reasons I will not take it. The loss was not only from the roots, but also breakage in mid-shaft. The feelings of lack of self-esteem and depression caused by losing my hair only made things worse rather than the antidepressant helping me to feel better. I had doctors who denied this was a side effect of the medication.....that was in the days before I discovered this board.
Posted by Zenclearer on July 11, 2004, at 0:56:59
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by mike_toronto on July 9, 2004, at 4:22:48
Wellbutrin is a known culprit for hairloss, for some, not all people.
Posted by violetskyye on October 24, 2005, at 18:44:45
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by upsndowns on July 9, 2004, at 10:21:37
After I was on Remeron (15mg) and Wellbutrin (100mg) for a few months, I had my usual hair lightening procedure, and that night, about 50% of my hair broke off and/or fell out. I stayed on the meds and it got better, my hair started growing out and getting shiny again, and then 2 weeks ago it happened again.
I've been coloring my [now] blond, formerly brown hair for years, and this never happened before I took these meds. Now I'm all choppy, shaggy and frizzy. I'm not sure if it's the meds, but I've stopped the Wellbutrin and am tapering off the Remeron.
I wouldn't recommend stopping one's meds just for this reason, but I was toying with doing it anyway, and this was just the last straw.
Posted by elisacov on August 23, 2007, at 13:42:26
In reply to Re: Hair loss » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on October 22, 2002, at 12:02:49
I took wellbutrin back in 2004 for about 6mo. I started with one pill, then took to splitting a second pill for an additional half dose at the behest of my doctor. Before I could tell what was happening, my hair began to fall out in mobs just for running my fingers through it. I had long, thick, beautiful hair too. I was 28 years old when it happened. I stopped taking the medication immediately, been on nothing at all since, but the hair still has not grown back. I keep it short because it just looks frayed and thinned out as it gets longer, even if I go and get it evened out, it just grows like that. All I can say is that I thank God for changing me for the better internally inspite of everything.
Posted by infectedmushrooms on August 26, 2007, at 11:53:55
In reply to Re: Hair loss, posted by elisacov on August 23, 2007, at 13:42:26
> I took wellbutrin back in 2004 for about 6mo. I started with one pill, then took to splitting a second pill for an additional half dose at the behest of my doctor. Before I could tell what was happening, my hair began to fall out in mobs just for running my fingers through it. I had long, thick, beautiful hair too. I was 28 years old when it happened. I stopped taking the medication immediately, been on nothing at all since, but the hair still has not grown back. I keep it short because it just looks frayed and thinned out as it gets longer, even if I go and get it evened out, it just grows like that. All I can say is that I thank God for changing me for the better internally inspite of everything.
are you male or female?...B/c wellbutrin is a dopamine agonist i would say it has the potential to increase levels of testosterone or fool around with one's signaling even after taking the drug..Increased testosterone is also responsible for hairloss sometimes in men and women......This is probably very rare but obviously it happened and is most likely from the drug like you say...Maybe trying to increase you serontonin levels could increase hair growth back bylowering T levels slightly as well as taking biotin supplement... They are both safe supps when taken at proper doses..
Posted by kestrel on June 2, 2008, at 8:08:18
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by upsndowns on July 9, 2004, at 10:21:37
Hello everybody, I just found your discussion and hope you're still around.
I've been on Wellbutrin for years already and have had issues with hair falling out for years as well. Thyroid values always came back normal until a lump and subsequent biopsy prompted surgery and thyroid cancer was confirmed. I've been on Levoxyl ever since and supposedly my levels are okay.
Add two knee surgeries this year, each anesthesia lasting about 45 minutes.
Hair loss now is downright criminal. But my therapist discouraged stopping the Wellbutrin due to lots of stress, so reluctantly I resumed taking the drug. But, as several of you have pointed out, the thought of going bald and the awful look of my head brings on an even worse depression. With a knee replacement being inevitable, the stress from trying to figure out how to make it through that, will it work, or will things worsen, and what will I look like by the time I'm finally back on my feet, has me faltering.
I used Nioxin while undergoing thyroid treatment and it worked great. But I had the feeling that it merely held hair in place, not actually fixed the problem, because the first time I used a different shampoo the drain clogged again. Currently I'm using Wal Mart's generic Rogaine but so far am not having any luck.
How to survive this year, that is my big question. Weight gain from loss of physical independence is bad enough, but losing hair at this rate will make me bald within the next few months. Not sure how much longer I can cope with that on top of all else.
Posted by brooke484 on June 2, 2008, at 22:52:05
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by kestrel on June 2, 2008, at 8:08:18
Not sure if this will help, but it worked for me. Ever since I started taking iron (Slo-Fe 3 tablets a day) my hair stopped falling out. Even though my TSH is "normal" I still kept losing hair so I tried iron. Have you had your ferritin (stored iron) level checked? It should be between 70-90.
brooke
Posted by Molybdenum on June 3, 2008, at 8:22:19
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by brooke484 on June 2, 2008, at 22:52:05
Hi,
my hair started falling out when I was about 35. Typical male pattern baldness. I couldn't stand the thought of that on top of depression too. So I started taking finasteride - 1mg per day. Actually it used to be cheaper to buy the 5mg tabs, so I used to cut them in 1/4 & take it 4 out of every 5 days.
As I recall, the idea was that the hair falls out & then the follicle dies 6 months later. The finasteride stops the follicle from dying & helps the hair to grow back. So you start taking it & soon you end up back with your hair like it was 6 months ago. Then you keep taking it to maintain the effect.
I took it for years and then one day I decided I just didn't care any more, so I stopped. Funny thing is, the hair loss never got any worse. I'm 41 now and I don't think it's gotten any worse since I stopped at all.
Whether the finasteride had some lasting effect or whether I was only ever going to lose the amount I have - I don't know. It definitely works though.
Good Luck :)
Posted by kestrel on June 5, 2008, at 12:50:10
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by brooke484 on June 2, 2008, at 22:52:05
> Not sure if this will help, but it worked for me. Ever since I started taking iron (Slo-Fe 3 tablets a day) my hair stopped falling out. Even though my TSH is "normal" I still kept losing hair so I tried iron. Have you had your ferritin (stored iron) level checked? It should be between 70-90.
>
> brookeThanks, Franz and Brooke!
Franz, what you recommend, is that for males only?
I just looked through my recent blood workup and can't spot ferritin or any levels that would point to it. I take top quality multi vitamins daily. TSH is normal. Next week I have an appt with a nurse practitioner who "likes complex medical cases" and hope to make some headway, no pun intented.
I wish I could blame something like poor food choices or the like, but I eat extremely healthy, except that I can't swallow 64 oz water every day as recommended unless I want to live in the bathroom.
I'll post an update when I learn more. Feeling a little less depressed today, probably because I hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Posted by KarenRB53 on September 26, 2010, at 10:20:38
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by kestrel on June 5, 2008, at 12:50:10
> > Not sure if this will help, but it worked for me. Ever since I started taking iron (Slo-Fe 3 tablets a day) my hair stopped falling out. Even though my TSH is "normal" I still kept losing hair so I tried iron. Have you had your ferritin (stored iron) level checked? It should be between 70-90.
> >
> > brooke
>
> Thanks, Franz and Brooke!
>
> Franz, what you recommend, is that for males only?
>
> I just looked through my recent blood workup and can't spot ferritin or any levels that would point to it. I take top quality multi vitamins daily. TSH is normal. Next week I have an appt with a nurse practitioner who "likes complex medical cases" and hope to make some headway, no pun intented.
>
> I wish I could blame something like poor food choices or the like, but I eat extremely healthy, except that I can't swallow 64 oz water every day as recommended unless I want to live in the bathroom.
>
> I'll post an update when I learn more. Feeling a little less depressed today, probably because I hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.I know this is an old post but wondered if you had found out any information on hair loss from medications. I'm on Wellbutrin and my hair is falling out so will have to stop if I can't find a solution. Hope somebody does soon!!
Posted by Maxime on September 26, 2010, at 19:25:04
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz » kestrel, posted by KarenRB53 on September 26, 2010, at 10:20:38
Zinc and selenium are good, along with Biotin (a B vitamin. The is a shampoo that helps, but I can't remember the name. I even tried to search for it on the internet. I am sure it will come to me soon.:-)
Posted by Maxime on September 26, 2010, at 19:27:15
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz » KarenRB53, posted by Maxime on September 26, 2010, at 19:25:04
> Zinc and selenium are good, along with Biotin (a B vitamin. The is a shampoo that helps, but I can't remember the name. I even tried to search for it on the internet. I am sure it will come to me soon.:-)
The name of the shampoo is Nioxin. You have to get it at a hair salon. Gee, not remembering the name of it was stressing me out!
Posted by KarenRB53 on October 8, 2010, at 12:36:44
In reply to Re: Meds and hair loss - solution? -Franz, posted by Maxime on September 26, 2010, at 19:27:15
> > Zinc and selenium are good, along with Biotin (a B vitamin. The is a shampoo that helps, but I can't remember the name. I even tried to search for it on the internet. I am sure it will come to me soon.:-)
>
> The name of the shampoo is Nioxin. You have to get it at a hair salon. Gee, not remembering the name of it was stressing me out!
>Thanks, I'll give it a try.
This is the end of the thread.
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