antidepressant/cause of hair loss? - Hair Loss / Alopecia Message Board

grlfrnd · 08-08-2006, 10:59 AM

I'm sorry, but this post is a repeat - no one responded to my other thread so I changed the title name for those who are unfamiliar with the name "Wellbutrin" but can help me if they knew it was an antidepressant. Thanks

Hello, I've been taking 150mg of Wellbutrin XL for approx. 2 years without a problem. My doctor upped my dose to 300mg a day. Approx. 3 months elapsed and I began to notice hair loss which quickly and progressively got worse within just a few weeks. Not knowing what else to blame, I began to wean myself off of Wellbutrin. It's been approx. 2 weeks since my last dose but I'm still experiencing major hair loss. I also occasionally experience a very "hot" sensation over the entire back of my scalp which has me stumped.

My question is... does Wellbutrin cause hair loss and if it does, how long might it take for it to completely flush from my system and how soon will I be able to notice any hair loss improvement?

Thanks in advance for any input!!

laura ~ *

Intrigue50 · 08-08-2006, 06:54 PM

Yes, Wellbutrin, as well as the other SSRI's and most anti-depressants in general, do cause hair loss. If you google for wellbutrin hair loss, you'll find many people who have experienced major hair loss from Wellbutrin. What baffles me is my doctor swears hair loss is not associated with Wellbutrin....but my own personal experience, and well as that of many online, say differently. Since you didn't experience the loss at a lower dosage, hopefully it will cease now that you've lowered the dose again. I no longer take antidepressants, but my hair never fully grew back. I hope your experience is different than mine.

grlfrnd · 08-08-2006, 07:45 PM

Thank you Intrigue50 for taking the time to respond.

I would like to know, if you can recall, how long did you experience hair loss and how long did it take to taper off? I'm sorry to hear your hair never fully grew back (my worry also) but has your hair at least stopped falling out?

I've completely weaned myself off of Wellbutrin as I mentioned... now all I can do is wait. Everyday I hope to not see as much hair in my shower/sink, but I'm still shedding considerably. I've even had to wear my hair differently due to the loss. I'm just praying it will stop!!

Thanks again for your comments.

CINDERELLA · 08-10-2006, 03:36 AM

I used another ssri for a year and didnt have any hairloss, I stopped taking it October 05 and this year had lots of hair loss, you dont notice at first, then you see the thin patches and start to panic. I went to the doctor for blood tests and she found I was deficient in iron. I took a supplement for 2 months and it stopped falling so much. Now my hair is showing signs of regrowth and I just had my blood checked again and my iron is in a better range.

My point is, dont just presume its the drug. It can be stress, hormones, thyroid, iron etc. Get checked out first. I know how stressful losing your hair is. My head got very itchy but looking back I think it was just the stress causing that.