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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RB on September 11, 2000, at 22:23:36
Hello...
I suffer from Major Depression and I'm currently taking Effexor and Neurontin. I've noticed a significant amount of hair loss and it's getting to the point to where I am nervous. My hair is passed my shoulders and I certainly don't want to be bald AND depressed. I'm shedding more than my cats do!Please let me know if any of you have experienced this.
Thank you,
RB
Posted by Erinn on September 11, 2000, at 22:49:53
In reply to Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RB on September 11, 2000, at 22:23:36
I had the same experience when I first started
Effexor. It lasted about three weeks but seems to
have lessened to a great extent, so there is hope!
Posted by Sunnely on September 12, 2000, at 0:31:32
In reply to Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RB on September 11, 2000, at 22:23:36
> Hello...
>
>
> I suffer from Major Depression and I'm currently taking Effexor and Neurontin. I've noticed a significant amount of hair loss and it's getting to the point to where I am nervous. My hair is passed my shoulders and I certainly don't want to be bald AND depressed. I'm shedding more than my cats do!Hi RB,
A number of antidepressants (old and new) have been reported to cause hair loss (alopecia). Mood stabilizers such as Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, and yes, Neurontin, have also been implicated in hair loss.
Posted by Anna P. on September 12, 2000, at 11:35:56
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by Sunnely on September 12, 2000, at 0:31:32
> > Hello...
> >
> >
> > I suffer from Major Depression and I'm currently taking Effexor and Neurontin. I've noticed a significant amount of hair loss and it's getting to the point to where I am nervous. My hair is passed my shoulders and I certainly don't want to be bald AND depressed. I'm shedding more than my cats do!
>
> Hi RB,
>
> I loss significant amount of hair while on Moclobemide and Revia.
Recently, while on Reboxetine and Neurontin, my hair became beautiful again, curly and bouncy as they used to be.
It all depends on the person, though.Anna P.
Posted by noa on September 14, 2000, at 15:39:53
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by Anna P. on September 12, 2000, at 11:35:56
I have had some hair loss and thought it was due to ADs, but then since my hypothyroid has been treated more aggressively, it seems to me the hairloss is less of a problem. My hair feels thicker again. I have no idea if the perception is what has changed, or the actual hair loss, though, since I am feeling so much better now.
Posted by Lexie on September 21, 2000, at 17:50:27
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by noa on September 14, 2000, at 15:39:53
> I do not believe I am reading this. I had exactly the same experience last year and was told I was wrong by my doctors and I called the drug manufacture and was also told it was not the Effexor. I lost tons of hair. I had very thick long hair. I noticed it mostly when I combed it or washed it. My doctors to this day insist it was not the drug. But I insisted they take me off of it and the hair stopped failing out! Explain that. Good luck to you. You need to explain to your doctor that you know of at least one other case of someone elses hair falling out. Lexie
Posted by Vanejha on September 13, 2003, at 4:00:45
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss » noa, posted by Lexie on September 21, 2000, at 17:50:27
> > I do not believe I am reading this. I had exactly the same experience last year and was told I was wrong by my doctors and I called the drug manufacture and was also told it was not the Effexor. I lost tons of hair. I had very thick long hair. I noticed it mostly when I combed it or washed it. My doctors to this day insist it was not the drug. But I insisted they take me off of it and the hair stopped failing out! Explain that. Good luck to you. You need to explain to your doctor that you know of at least one other case of someone elses hair falling out. Lexie
It's definitely the effexor. I've been on it for over a year and my hair has thinned so bad that I now have a bald spot on top of my head. I wish I would've found this website when I first noticed my hair falling.
Thanks for your responses
Vanejha
Posted by Kacy on September 15, 2003, at 14:57:19
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by Vanejha on September 13, 2003, at 4:00:45
Alopecia is listed in the Effexor literature that comes with the drug. It is listed as an infrequent side effect. It's on the back side of the foldout, in the center panel about halfway down the page.
Posted by RubyLou on October 5, 2003, at 17:57:35
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by Anna P. on September 12, 2000, at 11:35:56
I can't believe I am reading this... I am ready to cry. I have been taking effexor for about 10 months and only recently noticed a slight bald spot at the front of my head, and my dermatologist witnessed female-patterned balding on the top. I am only 26 years old!
I appreciate hearing that other people are contending with this issue.
Posted by sarita0001 on October 5, 2003, at 19:49:36
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RubyLou on October 5, 2003, at 17:57:35
Hi,
I am sorry to hear that that happened. I had and am still having dermatological effects(less now) from Topamax that I stopped in May. Is there any way to change your meds?
I know how frustrating it is when meds start affecting you physically but- hang in there it takes time to resolve itself.
Sara
Posted by Kacy on October 7, 2003, at 13:04:09
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RubyLou on October 5, 2003, at 17:57:35
I think, Ruby, they change medictions. I would switch to another ssri. That response doesn't mean other seratonin medications would do that to you. It means Effexor does. I have seen posters from other boards saying that when they stopped the drug, their hair grew back. It isn't a permanent loss.
Posted by Patient on October 9, 2003, at 11:45:54
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RubyLou on October 5, 2003, at 17:57:35
Hi,
Here are some suggestions for this problem.
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Hair-loss-with-medication.html
Posted by chicago1975 on November 11, 2003, at 14:40:25
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RubyLou on October 5, 2003, at 17:57:35
I am an otherwise healthy 28 yr old female who has been on Buspar and then Effexor over the past 2 1/2 mos for anxiety. In that time I noticed significant hair loss, especially when I combed or washed my hair. After having seen my doctor and a dermatologist, they both chalked it up to stress (even though I didn't feel any) because all of my blood work came back normal - they also confirmed, as did the pharmacist, that neither drug could be responsible for the hair loss. Then I decided to check on-line for any related research and came across this site 3 wks ago - after reading this and consulting with my doctor, I stopped taking the Effexor. However, my hair continues to fall out (more than the ave. 100 hairs/day)when I comb or wash - for those of you that stopped taking an anti-depressant, how long did it take for your hair to go back to a normal state? Any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks!
Posted by marcel on November 12, 2003, at 12:17:52
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by chicago1975 on November 11, 2003, at 14:40:25
> I am an otherwise healthy 28 yr old female who has been on Buspar and then Effexor over the past 2 1/2 mos for anxiety. In that time I noticed significant hair loss, especially when I combed or washed my hair. After having seen my doctor and a dermatologist, they both chalked it up to stress (even though I didn't feel any) because all of my blood work came back normal - they also confirmed, as did the pharmacist, that neither drug could be responsible for the hair loss. Then I decided to check on-line for any related research and came across this site 3 wks ago - after reading this and consulting with my doctor, I stopped taking the Effexor. However, my hair continues to fall out (more than the ave. 100 hairs/day)when I comb or wash - for those of you that stopped taking an anti-depressant, how long did it take for your hair to go back to a normal state? Any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks!
> I too have been taking Effexor 300mg to 450 mg daily for 5 months. My hair is getting so thin, I'm worried. I asked the doc and pharmacists about the hair loss. The doctor says it isn't the drug. The pharmacist says it very well could be the drug. Does anyone know if your hair grows
back if you discontinue the drug? thanks jb
Posted by marcel on November 12, 2003, at 14:22:36
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss » noa, posted by Lexie on September 21, 2000, at 17:50:27
How long did it take for your hair to stop falling out and did it grow back?
Posted by scatterbrained on November 12, 2003, at 18:26:29
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by marcel on November 12, 2003, at 14:22:36
Are there steps you can take to prevent or regrow the lost hair while still continuing to take the effexor?
Posted by marcel on November 13, 2003, at 11:11:06
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by scatterbrained on November 12, 2003, at 18:26:29
I don't know, I'm trying to find out. I did some research, and am considering stopping the Effexor and taking a herbal product- SAMe (pronounced sammy). SAMe is for depression and cost almost the same as a month's supply of Effexor. It's fairly expensive. $25 and you get 30 pills. I pay $30 for 90 Effexors. I ma still researching the hair loss.
Posted by jflange on November 15, 2003, at 17:34:24
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by chicago1975 on November 11, 2003, at 14:40:25
Chicago'75:
I had the same problem with Effexor and Buspar, but now I take Zinc every day and my hair has stopped falling out. I got this tip from the Pharmacology Tips section on this site, the link to which someone has already posted.
Many ssris cause this side effect - causing healthy adult hairs to "turn over" or fall out prematurely. They don't damage your hair, but simply cause hairs to fall out at a faster rate than it takes to regrow them, thus, the appearance of thinning hair.
If you want to discontinue the Effexor because you don't feel it is effective, then that is fine. But don't drop it because of hair loss before trying Zinc (I take 30 mgs a day). Others have had success with Selenium, but I don't remember the dose.
jflange
Posted by responsiblek9 on November 19, 2003, at 8:21:28
In reply to Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by RB on September 11, 2000, at 22:23:36
Yes I noticed the hair loss and lack of growing , So did my neighbors . But I have noticed the shedding has stopped in the past week . So that was 6 weeks into the withdrawal it slowed up. I had long thick hair and it is very thin right now. But it grows like a weed though so I am not too worried about it.
-----------------------------------
> Hello...
>
>
> I suffer from Major Depression and I'm currently taking Effexor and Neurontin. I've noticed a significant amount of hair loss and it's getting to the point to where I am nervous. My hair is passed my shoulders and I certainly don't want to be bald AND depressed. I'm shedding more than my cats do!
>
> Please let me know if any of you have experienced this.
>
> Thank you,
> RB
>
Posted by lovemybabies on November 26, 2003, at 18:00:31
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by responsiblek9 on November 19, 2003, at 8:21:28
Woah. I can't believe I'm not the only one with this problem. I think it's time to stop this drug. I've been on it for 10 months and feel great, mentally/emotionally but the side effects are starting to be a big drag. Now this hair loss?? How quickly does it start to grow back once stopping?
Posted by feisty_chic on May 15, 2004, at 0:07:15
In reply to Re: Effexor and Hair Loss, posted by marcel on November 12, 2003, at 12:17:52
> > I am an otherwise healthy 28 yr old female who has been on Buspar and then Effexor over the past 2 1/2 mos for anxiety. In that time I noticed significant hair loss, especially when I combed or washed my hair. After having seen my doctor and a dermatologist, they both chalked it up to stress (even though I didn't feel any) because all of my blood work came back normal - they also confirmed, as did the pharmacist, that neither drug could be responsible for the hair loss. Then I decided to check on-line for any related research and came across this site 3 wks ago - after reading this and consulting with my doctor, I stopped taking the Effexor. However, my hair continues to fall out (more than the ave. 100 hairs/day)when I comb or wash - for those of you that stopped taking an anti-depressant, how long did it take for your hair to go back to a normal state? Any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks!
>
> > I too have been taking Effexor 300mg to 450 mg daily for 5 months. My hair is getting so thin, I'm worried. I asked the doc and pharmacists about the hair loss. The doctor says it isn't the drug. The pharmacist says it very well could be the drug. Does anyone know if your hair grows
> back if you discontinue the drug? thanks jbHi, I took Effexor last year for six months. I went to my doctor after I had broken up with someone and was left severely depressed and I said, "Do you know of a miracle drug that can take away sadness and pain, make me stop hating people, do something about OCD and possibly give me a boost with weight loss?" He said he had just the thing: EFFEXOR XR! At first, I liked it. I was feeling better, not washing my hands as much and I lost 20 lbs. I thought it was fabulous. Then, as time went on, I could see a dramatic change in my skin and I noticed that I was losing my hair. I have always lost tons of strands of hair on a normal day, but this was ridiculous. I also noticed that my once very shiny and healthy hair, not to mention super thick hair, was breaking and splitting and looked very lackluster. It became very thinned out and awful looking. Also, I was always fortunate enough to have great skin. Yeah, I did get pimples as a teen, but I was fortunate to grow out of it by the time I went to college. Anyway, I never noticed how bad my skin looked until my niece's birthday party last October. My best friend snapped my picture and I looked at it two weeks after the party. I remember leaving for the party thinking I looked pretty good, but all I saw in this picture was someone with thin, unhealthy hair and red, raw skin that looked like it was overscrubbed. You could also see these bumps that looked like acne that was under the skin. When I could really understand what was happening and that it truly was the drug, I stopped it cold turkey. Let me tell you, the withdrawal symptoms were the worst. I had sweats, chills, insomnia, swore people were out to get me, had rapid heartbeat issues, and panic attacks. My mother supported me so much during that time. She kept telling me that if I could get through the first week that I would make it. It was probably the wrong way for me to go off the drug, but my hair was falling out so bad that I had to stop cold turkey so that I wouldn't keep feeding the hair loss while I weaned myself off the drug. That first week was a killer, but I made it. I did consult my physician who told me that it was a bad idea for me to do what I was doing, and gave me a bottle of Wellbutrin. I threw that in the trash. I wanted to provide some backstory just because I felt it relevant to share because I kept these issues to myself and never even shared them with my friends. Anyway, in answer to your questions, the hair comes back. My hair is thick and full and shinier than ever. My skin is also clear and the tone is even. There are no blemishes. Also, I experienced high blood pressure and loss of sex drive on Effexor, and when I stopped it my blood pressure returned to normal and so did my desire to want to have sex. I have nothing against anyone who wants to take meds to feel better or help depression, but I have noticed after being on two different ones (first I took Prozac) that I like being in control of my emotions and knowing when I am truly happy or sad. There will always be sad times and tough times, but you can get through them and without drugs. I am living proof of that. I took Prozac the year before I took Effexor because I had fibroid tumors in my uterus and was taking heavy doses of hormones and other drugs to control the bleeding of the tumors. Needless to say, those heavy duty meds were making me sick and depressed so my gyn. gave me Prozac. I don't think that's a wonder drug either, by any means, but the only side effect I had there was weight gain. Effexor is one of the worst meds I have ever taken, but be patient and know that your hair does come back!! If you can make a change to another med or get off it completely, you will see a dramatic change in a month or two. I stopped the med cold turkey at the end of October and by Christmas my hair was looking fabulous. You will get your hair back, I promise!! Good luck! Also, I'm so glad I found this site. I found this back in October, and it was from knowing that other people lost their hair on this drug that made me stop it. Also, the doctors will tell you that it's not the drug, but it is. My doctor and nurse both said it wasn't the drug and that it was probably stress. Believe me, I know my own body like you know yours. It was the drug.
This is the end of the thread.
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