Hair Loss from SSRIs
Hi, I would like to request clarification on something. I saw a post where you mentioned Sertraline causes hair loss as well as Zoloft. I also saw on some posts where SSRI’s are said to cause hair loss. The questions is how common is this? I have seen different sources use different percentages to represent how rare or often this can occur. I ask this because online it appears as a significant amount of people have voiced their concerns about Sertraline or Zoloft possibly contributing to their hair loss. However, there have to be many people who simply will never come to these forums because they are not affected. Also, how long does the hair loss take? Some posts mentioned period from 2-8 days, while some people blame the meds after they have used them for 4-6 years.
I have been told by several physicians that hair loss with SSRI’s is simply an alergic reaction which is rare. Do you agree with that? Thank you for your help.
Hair loss from SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs are relatively uncommon, but they can occur. First and foremost you need to find out if there is a pattern to your hair loss. Is the hair loss everywhere or just confined to the front/top (in a pattern)? If the hair loss is happening in a pattern like those shown here, then it is most likely not from the drug. Hair loss from drugs will often impact the donor area, which is what we generally refer to as “permanent” hair not susceptible to genetic factors.
Most doctors (and even the doctors that treat hair loss, such as myself) do not know the exact mechanism of why some people lose hair from certain medications. We must believe the patient when they say that they are noticing some correlation with the timing of starting these medications and the hair thinning, but these things are often very difficult to narrow down. It is just not that simple, as the patient may also have underlying genetic hair loss as well. Remember that more than 50% of the population have some form of genetic balding which has nothing to do with SSRIs or other medications! I do not think hair loss from SSRIs (or other medication in general) is an allergic reaction, but more of a rare side effect. If hair loss is caused by a medication, I do not think it would happen in the time frame of a few days, but more likely several weeks to months.
Finally keep in mind of the big picture, rather than focusing only on hair. You are taking a certain medication for a reason, such as the SSRI to treat depression. What you are experiencing with respect to hair loss may or may not be related, but the reason of WHY you are taking the SSRI or other medication is real and the pros and cons (risks/benefits) need to be discussed with your physician before taking any action.
“If hair loss is caused by a medication, I do not think it would happen in the time frame of a few days, but more likely several weeks to months.”
I began taking an SSRI one week ago, and within four or five days noticed *substantial* hair loss, where sweeping a hand across your head could pick up 100+ individual hairs, so you may need to reconsider this opinion.
I immediately discontinued use of the drug (Citalopram) on the advice of my doctor and am awaiting further advice.
Bobby: did the hair loss stop and the hair grow back after you discontinued use?
I’ve been on a generic celexa, then about 6 weeks later (under medical guidance) started taking Ritalin. It was a few weeks later that I noticed substantial hair accumulating in the bathroom (floor, sink, tub drain, brush, etc). I know Ritalin increases plasma concentration of Celexa. I have no history of hair loss, and prior to begining medication had VERY thick hair. My question is: is it more likely that the hair loss is from the SSRI, or from the combination of the two? If I stop the Ritalin, thereby decreasing plasma concentration of Celexa, would my hair return. Another question is: Seems as though most SSRI’s have this “rare” side effect. If I react this way to one, would I react the same way to all of them?
My 16 year old daughter started taking Sertraline for panic attacks and within a little over a week of starting the medication, her very thick, long hair started shedding tremendously. We quickly weaned her off the medication and are now hoping that it grows back the way it was. If this is happening to so many people, the doctors that are prescribing these medications are not reporting this enough. Clearly, this side effect is not as “rare” as everyone says.
I took Zoloft for 4 days and had a terrible burning flush that went from my stomach up to my head. My doctor told me to stop it for 4 days and try again. I did this and in a week I started noticing my hair on my pillow and in shower.You can see the white root on the end of the hair. It’s been a month now and it
is still happening. Hoping it’s going to stop soon. I’m a woman in my 60s.