Effexor and hair loss - Hair Loss / Alopecia Message Board

wishn · 07-10-2004, 07:48 PM

Hi everyone,

I have recently started taking Effexor and after two weeks my hair is starting to fall out "a lot." I have been on antidepressants in the past and the same thing happened and each time the doctor said it does not happen that fast, it would have to take at least 4 mos if it were because of medication side effects. Each time I immediately stopped the antidepressant. This time I would like to hang in there as I have fibromyalgia and anxiety is one of the problems it carries. My question is, has anyone ever experienced the same problem and it stopped within a short period of time? I am a woman and very concerned because I have thin hair as it is. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

quincy · 07-10-2004, 10:22 PM

Hi, no thinning hair from the Effexor. It wouldn't happen that quickly, for sure.

Has your doctor checked your thyroid?

Excess worry can cause your hair to fall out as well.

q

wishn · 07-11-2004, 10:46 AM

Thanks for your reply, but why did it all of sudden start falling out after taking the effexor? They have tested my Thyroid in the past when this happened the same way with other antidepressants. Thanks!

jtu91952 · 07-11-2004, 12:27 PM

wishn, it is probably the med. i take lisinopril for bp and notice my hair is thinning. drs don't like to admit when a drug is hurting you. do your own test by stopping the med and see if the problem improve. if so, then it would prove the med caused hair loss. i did the test and discovered lisinopril had caused my hair loss.Even if it wasn't listed as a side effect doesn't mean it can't happen. Usually the pi would said a 2% had side effects, well maybe you could be a part of that 2%, like me. And that's my 2-cents

wishn · 07-11-2004, 03:00 PM

JTU, Yes I agree. I have taken antidepressants in the past and the same thing happened and immediately I stopped taking it. I would really like to give this a chance if only I thought this would be "very short lived." If the hair loss thing is only something for a few days than it wouldn't be so bad, but I don't want to lose and continue losing. The problem is, I can't find an antidepressant that doesn't have this side effect. Yikes! Thanks!!