Love Wellbutrin, but scared of HAIR LOSS

[Marie83]

I love Wellbutrin, but noticed hair loss within about 3 weeks of starting the medication. My thyroid is fine, so I assumed Wellbutrin was the culprit. I stopped the Wellbutrin a week ago, replaced it with Prozac and have been feeling horrible. Now, what if Wellbutrin isn't even the culprit?

My aunt spoke to one of her friends who's an endocrinologist and he said that hair loss usually occurs about 6 months after the initial shock to the person's system. Am I being crazy in assuming that one could lose hair from Wellbutrin within a mere 3 weeks of starting it? What if my current hair loss is being caused by the stress I experienced from being hospitalized for a psychotic episode in March? Or what if the hair loss was induced by a different medication? I'm currently only on Wellbutrin, but have been on lithium, lamictal, abilify, risperdal, and trazodone. While I'm no longer on any of those, I had a horrible reaction to lamictal about 8 weeks before starting the Wellbutrin (flue-like symptoms, joint pain, swollen breasts, a rash, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, suicidal thoughts). What if the lamictal induced the shock to my system, but the hair loss only showed up by the time I was off the lamictal and on the Wellbutrin?

I feel so horrible right now without the Wellbutrin and would hate to waste the opportunity to not feel this depressed if it's not even the Wellbutrin that's causing the hair loss! My current psych has no insight whatsoever, so I'd appreciate your input.

I don't want to go bald on the Wellbutrin, but I don't want to feel this way either. I know I've only been on Prozac for a week, but my behavior and mood right now are really worrying me. Prozac isn't energizing me the way Wellbutrin was and I've been binge eating (on my roommate's food!) and spiralling into a deeper depression for the past few days. I spent all afternoon and night in the house yesterday binge eating and have been in bed all day today. I did not have these issues while I was on the Wellbutrin.

BTW, I'm already taking zinc, selenium, biotin, and a multi vitamin to try to counter the hair loss. I also recently added fish oil, iron and b12 and purchased the nioxin shampoo, which I'll be trying tomorrow.

I need to get out of this destructive depression, but I don't want to go bald, which is also extremey depressing and anxiety inducing. What have your experiences been like? What are your thoughts on likely causes? What do you suggest?

[AirMarshall]

I guess you've got 'seller's remorse' over quitting the Wellbutrin.

You need to stay the course and see how Prozac does. Three weeks was not enough time to see how Wellbutrin was doing. This is why docs recommend giving 2 -3 months on a drug to how it does.

Med changes are seldom very fun, so it's not a suprise you feel crappy after quitting Wellbutrin cold turkey and only on Prozac for a week.

Forget about the second hand medical advice. If "system shock" made people bald there would be a lot more bald people. Likewise, the ads for Wellbutrin don't feature only baldies. Some of the meds sometimes may cause hair thinning. In most cases it is mild, and often temporary.

Try not to worry yourself to death. Do you have a therapist that you talk to? If not, ask your pdoc about how it would be helpful.

Best, a.m.

[Silver]

I love Wellbutrin, but noticed hair loss within about 3 weeks of starting the medication. My thyroid is fine, so I assumed Wellbutrin was the culprit. I stopped the Wellbutrin a week ago, replaced it with Prozac and have been feeling horrible. Now, what if Wellbutrin isn't even the culprit?

My aunt spoke to one of her friends who's an endocrinologist and he said that hair loss usually occurs about 6 months after the initial shock to the person's system. Am I being crazy in assuming that one could lose hair from Wellbutrin within a mere 3 weeks of starting it? What if my current hair loss is being caused by the stress I experienced from being hospitalized for a psychotic episode in March?

"Hair loss" from medications/stress doesn't happen after 3 weeks. 2-6 months is more like it.

You won't notice what's working to counter the perceived hair loss for months either. Once the loss (aka telogen effluvium) starts, it takes a while. Sorry.

So... probably time to sit down and talk with your psychiatrist and/or therapist, and base your treatment on what works for your mood and your symptoms, rather than on density of hair. If your hair thinning becomes severe, then go see a good dermatologist for a consult.

[Marie83]

I guess you've got 'seller's remorse' over quitting the Wellbutrin.

You need to stay the course and see how Prozac does. Three weeks was not enough time to see how Wellbutrin was doing. This is why docs recommend giving 2 -3 months on a drug to how it does.

Med changes are seldom very fun, so it's not a suprise you feel crappy after quitting Wellbutrin cold turkey and only on Prozac for a week.

Forget about the second hand medical advice. If "system shock" made people bald there would be a lot more bald people. Likewise, the ads for Wellbutrin don't feature only baldies. Some of the meds sometimes may cause hair thinning. In most cases it is mild, and often temporary.

Try not to worry yourself to death. Do you have a therapist that you talk to? If not, ask your pdoc about how it would be helpful.

Best, a.m.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I should have been a little clearer. While I noticed hair loss within 3 weeks of starting the Wellbutrin, I didn't go off of it right then. I was on Wellbutrin for about 2 months before I stopped last week. I did taper somewhat also. While starting the Prozac I also allowed myself one Wellbutrin pill last Saturday and one again the following Monday.

Anyhow, you don't think the hair loss was stress induced telogen effluvium or perhaps telogen effluvium induced from a different med given the time line?

[Silver]

I don't think there's any good way to tell at this time.

Probably worth a derm visit. Get follicle counts. Track it if you're that worried.

[Marie83]

"Hair loss" from medications/stress doesn't happen after 3 weeks. 2-6 months is more like it.

You won't notice what's working to counter the perceived hair loss for months either. Once the loss (aka telogen effluvium) starts, it takes a while. Sorry.

So... probably time to sit down and talk with your psychiatrist and/or therapist, and base your treatment on what works for your mood and your symptoms, rather than on density of hair. If your hair thinning becomes severe, then go see a good dermatologist for a consult.

Hmmm, this is the type of explanation i was hoping for, because I really did like the way I felt on the Wellbutrin. The 2-6 month time line makes more sense to me as well. I had read all of these horror stories of people on line saying they'd lost hair within a short time of going on Wellbutrin, but maybe the posters were mistaken?

[Silver]

Well... hair loss takes a long time. Humans, however, are kind of wired to see causality in the immediate vicinity.

2 months is the usual earliest (2-4 mo is the peak). Here's the emed writeup on telogen effluvium, cites 1-6 mo as the range. This used to have a long section on 2 months as the peak incidence, but I don't see it there anymore. (It's in the UpToDate writeup, but I can't link to that.) Says nice things about minoxidil.

Seriously. Find a rx that works for you, and stick with it. If you needed to use some Rogaine, would that really the end of the damn world? Considering you were in the hospital, I think Rogaine is a pretty viable alternative, all things considered. Costco sells a generic Rogaine/minoxidil.

[olga]

I've been on Wellbutrin for two years and I've got lots of hair. I never heard of hair loss as a common side effect with it.

But I will say this: I would rather be bald and happy then have lots of hair and be paralyzed by depression. I can always get a hat or a wig. If the med works for you, talk to your pdoc about switching back to it. (I'm assuming that you consulted with him/her before going off it.)

Good luck and work on the stress stuff with your tdoc. Stress can definitely contribute to hair loss.

olga

[fluffybirdie]

Hi Marie, I'm sorry about your hair loss. I know it causes a lot of undue stress.

I've had a great deal of thinning myself. It started to become noticable almost a year after starting to take Lamictal. It was my second biggest reason for discontinuing, the first being "dull-ness".

I have since been taking Wellbutrin for almost 2 years. My doctor assure me that my hair issues don't come from Wellbutrin, but Lamictal could have started the ball rolling.

That's just me, everyone's different. I wish you luck in finding out what's going on!

[Marie83]

So, I decided to switch back to Wellbutrin on Monday, because I wasn't functioning on it and couldn't wait it out with the Prozac. Boy, did it make a difference. With the Wellbutrin I've had the energy to get out of bed and not break into tears every few hours. At this point, not being on the Wellbutrin just doesn't feel like an option. Like you said, olga, depression is truly paralyzing. I don't want to lay around like a sack of potatoes all day!

fluffybirdie, it's reassuring to hear that the Wellbutrin wasn't causing your hair loss. Sorry about the Lamictal issues though! That drug was a nightmare for me too; it's possible that it may have started the hair loss in my case as well (I stopped taking it a few weeks before starting to Wellbutrin).

[Guest Nicole]

Wellbutrin XL does cause hair loss. If you have a strong reaction to it, it can start as soon as the first pill. I was on XL for years with no hair loss, but as soon as my doctor added another drug to the mix, half of my hair fell out. I went off everything for three years, had some regrowth, and recently attempted to go back on Wellbutrin again. I went from 6 hairs lost in the shower the day before I started it, to hundreds lost the day after I took it. I stopped the pills immediately - and on the third day had no loss at all. My scalp also burns and is tender on Wellbutrin XL.

This is not a side effect that everyone gets, but if you do get it - it's serious. My hair has never been the same. My dermatologist had to give me steriods to keep me from losing more or ALL of my hair.

I seriously wonder if they changed the formula a few years ago - because I never had the hair loss problem before and only see people posting about their hair loss online after 2006. I wish I had enough hair left to risk staying on it - to see if it will pass in time - but I'm too scared. After three years I have only had a bit of regrowth, my once thick and long hair is now thin and wispy and will not hold color. There is no history of hair loss in my family (in fact, we have very thick hair), but now my part is diffused and I am constantly hiding the loss. THREE YEARS LATER.

And Olga, you would think that getting out of depression is more important than hair loss - until you've experienced it. Trust me on that.

[null0trooper]

I seriously wonder if they changed the formula a few years ago

There's only one formula for the single active ingredient. The "inert" ingredients might have changed but that primarily affects people with allergies to those ingredients.

However, population statistics being what they are, a 1 in 1 million reaction may have 1 total case the first year, and 10 total cases the next solely as a function of 10 times more pills being sold. Over a few years, the total cases add up even though the frequency stays the same. That's the more likely reason that you are seeing more of the problem you are looking for now than before. Also, before that you would not have been looking for other people who had a problem with a drug you hadn't taken.

And Olga, you would think that getting out of depression is more important than hair loss - until you've experienced it. Trust me on that.

I suspect that she'd do what some of my family have had to do after losing their hair - buy a wig.

[olga]

I stand by my statement. WellbutrinXL gave me back my life. Hair is cosmetic---do I love my husband any less now that he's bald? Of course not.

As long as WB keeps me out of the black pit, I will take it.

If you want to hear about side effects, here's one for you. I have Glaucoma, and take two drugs for it. One of them has depression as a side effect. I was never depressed in my whole life until I took the Glaucoma drug. My GP and ophthalmologist think that the drug is causing my depression.

So, I can go off my Glaucoma meds and be blind and happy.

Or I can stay on them and have sight and be depressed.

My solution is to take Wellbutrin. Everything in life is a trade-off, and medicines all have side effects. You have to decide what you can live with.

By the way, I always lose a lot of hair in September and October---it clogs the shower drain. My hair stylist says that this is normal.

olga

[water]

So, I can go off my Glaucoma meds and be blind and happy.

You know what they say is good for glaucoma?

[Silver]

Wellbutrin XL does cause hair loss. If you have a strong reaction to it, it can start as soon as the first pill. I was on XL for years with no hair loss, but as soon as my doctor added another drug to the mix, half of my hair fell out. I went off everything for three years, had some regrowth, and recently attempted to go back on Wellbutrin again. I went from 6 hairs lost in the shower the day before I started it, to hundreds lost the day after I took it. I stopped the pills immediately - and on the third day had no loss at all. My scalp also burns and is tender on Wellbutrin XL.

This is not a side effect that everyone gets, but if you do get it - it's serious. My hair has never been the same. My dermatologist had to give me steriods to keep me from losing more or ALL of my hair.

I seriously wonder if they changed the formula a few years ago - because I never had the hair loss problem before and only see people posting about their hair loss online after 2006. I wish I had enough hair left to risk staying on it - to see if it will pass in time - but I'm too scared. After three years I have only had a bit of regrowth, my once thick and long hair is now thin and wispy and will not hold color. There is no history of hair loss in my family (in fact, we have very thick hair), but now my part is diffused and I am constantly hiding the loss. THREE YEARS LATER.

And Olga, you would think that getting out of depression is more important than hair loss - until you've experienced it. Trust me on that.

Wow, I hit my threshold finally.

Did you not READ how the follicular cycle works? Go up the thread. Read the link on telogen effluvium (and the links therein if you want.) I can't.make.it.clearer.

Half your hair.

Really? 50%? By follicular count? You guys need to write that sucker up and publish it; if you have, please post the PMID so that I can keep the article in my files.

It's curious that you were counting the number of hairs lost in the shower before you even started the drug. What's up with that? Even at my lithiated hypothyroid worst, I never counted the number of hairs lost. I just said, "Damn, I have to clean the drain again." I'm stunned you even know your hair "won't hold color" with the incredible hair loss you describe - you'll risk coloring it?

The events you're describing are not at all consistent with drug-induced hair loss. Chemical burn, yes. Were you applying Wellbutrin and lye directly to your scalp for one day? That would fit the pattern you describe.

Nicole, you would think that hair loss was more important than getting out of [depression, mixed state, whatever] "until you've been there" with two bottles of carefully stockpiled and very illegally acquired lethal medications AND a shotgun, having spent the last week organizing finances and such so that your spouse won't have to deal with all the estate crap, typing out a list of account numbers and passwords, tying up all loose ends at work on the pretext of a vacation (because that way they would be ready for me to be missing, they wouldn't have to move anything in my schedule, see), arranging for your spouse to be out of town for this period, and making sure that anything in your effects that would be embarrassing or emotionally painful to others has been removed. With a delusional belief that this was necessary for long elaborate reasons that I'll spare you.

Do you get it yet?

No? Well. Trust me on that.

So.

I don't care if I'm bald as a fucking egg for the rest of my life.

And I have unsightly dermatologic lesions on my scalp and head.

And I'm a reasonably attractive female with pretty good hair right now. I mean, it would be a loss, yeah, but it's better than that other stuff.

I suppose it would be of some comfort to the hair-concerned that your hair does indeed stay in your scalp for quite some time after death; tissue goes away before hair.

On the other hand, the shotgun would have made that kind of a moot point, huh?

[Guest Dani]

Its easy for you all to say that being sane is better than being bald, have you been there?? Let me tell you something....I started taking Wellbutrin about 7 months ago and started noticing hair loss about 4months ago. I m sure I was losing hair before that, I just hadn't noticed it yet. Do you not think for one minute it has not caused me crazy depression?? I don't want to leave the house, there's nothing worse than being a woman who is balding. I no longer feel pretty at all, I'm embarassed and my depression has become far worse than it was before. So, for any of you who want to say balding is far better than going insane, you are dead wrong!! Balding as a woman will make you go insane.

[Maddy]

Its easy for you all to say that being sane is better than being bald, have you been there?? Let me tell you something....I started taking Wellbutrin about 7 months ago and started noticing hair loss about 4months ago. I m sure I was losing hair before that, I just hadn't noticed it yet. Do you not think for one minute it has not caused me crazy depression?? I don't want to leave the house, there's nothing worse than being a woman who is balding. I no longer feel pretty at all, I'm embarassed and my depression has become far worse than it was before. So, for any of you who want to say balding is far better than going insane, you are dead wrong!! Balding as a woman will make you go insane.

I've gone through balding and I've gone through depression and for me, I'd much rather be bald.

BTW I'm female.

[null0trooper]

I don't want to leave the house, there's nothing worse than being a woman who is balding.

If your depression is mild enough that you're more worried about your hair, and even your hair loss isn't bad enough to consider consulting with a dermatologist or even buying a wig, then it's entirely likely that the depression is too mild to benefit from medication.

As far as hair loss being the worst thing that can happen to a woman? It's not even close.

[olga]

Its easy for you all to say that being sane is better than being bald, have you been there?? Let me tell you something....I started taking Wellbutrin about 7 months ago and started noticing hair loss about 4months ago. I m sure I was losing hair before that, I just hadn't noticed it yet. Do you not think for one minute it has not caused me crazy depression?? I don't want to leave the house, there's nothing worse than being a woman who is balding. I no longer feel pretty at all, I'm embarassed and my depression has become far worse than it was before. So, for any of you who want to say balding is far better than going insane, you are dead wrong!! Balding as a woman will make you go insane.

If Wellbutrin isn't working for you, talk to your pdoc and get a different antidepressant. If it is indeed causing the hair loss, your hair will probably grow back when you switch to a different med.

However, I agree with Silver and the other people here: to truly diagnose what is happening with hair loss, you need to see a dermatologist. And having lost friends to suicide, cancer, heart attacks and brain tumors, I agree with Maddy and null0trooper that hair loss is NOT the worst thing that can happen to a woman.

You might also examine your diet and make sure you are getting lots of fruits and vegetables, nuts & grains, and are taking a multivitamin that has some Niacin in it.

olga

[Maddy]

Might want to get your thyroid checked too.

That can make you depressed, feel like ass and cause your hair to fall out.

[Guest Shannon]

Its easy for you all to say that being sane is better than being bald, have you been there?? Let me tell you something....I started taking Wellbutrin about 7 months ago and started noticing hair loss about 4months ago. I m sure I was losing hair before that, I just hadn't noticed it yet. Do you not think for one minute it has not caused me crazy depression?? I don't want to leave the house, there's nothing worse than being a woman who is balding. I no longer feel pretty at all, I'm embarassed and my depression has become far worse than it was before. So, for any of you who want to say balding is far better than going insane, you are dead wrong!! Balding as a woman will make you go insane.

[Guest Shannon]

It's easy for people to say they would rather be bald than depressed...they are not going through it and they do not know how it feels. Being bald as a woman, (and possibly even for some men) is very traumatic and can cause severe depression. It is out of our control and leaves you feeling very helpless and it is a terrible feeling. Especially when you go to doctors or your loved ones and they make you feel silly like you are over reacting and you should just get over it and be grateful for other things when they have no idea the torment you are going through on the inside. Until you've walked in other people's shoes you shouldn't speak for them. What seems small to you is huge to someone else.

[AnneMarie]

It's easy for people to say they would rather be bald than depressed...they are not going through it and they do not know how it feels. Being bald as a woman, (and possibly even for some men) is very traumatic and can cause severe depression. It is out of our control and leaves you feeling very helpless and it is a terrible feeling. Especially when you go to doctors or your loved ones and they make you feel silly like you are over reacting and you should just get over it and be grateful for other things when they have no idea the torment you are going through on the inside. Until you've walked in other people's shoes you shouldn't speak for them. What seems small to you is huge to someone else.

I am sorry that you are going through difficulties with hair loss. No one here is saying that it would not be rough, especially if the loss is near baldness. That would be traumatic for most.

This thread is about treating depression and weighing the benefits of med versus the side effect of hair loss. It explains how hair loss takes some months to happen and that it is not necessarily permanent. It is a statement on how bad depression is for some. I have chosen to stay on meds despite a substantial hair loss. My drain clogged daily but I chose that over mental illness. The decision is made by some people. Please don't blow it off as not understanding the consequence.

[Guest not crazy]

I love Wellbutrin, but noticed hair loss within about 3 weeks of starting the medication. My thyroid is fine, so I assumed Wellbutrin was the culprit. I stopped the Wellbutrin a week ago, replaced it with Prozac and have been feeling horrible. Now, what if Wellbutrin isn't even the culprit?

My aunt spoke to one of her friends who's an endocrinologist and he said that hair loss usually occurs about 6 months after the initial shock to the person's system. Am I being crazy in assuming that one could lose hair from Wellbutrin within a mere 3 weeks of starting it? What if my current hair loss is being caused by the stress I experienced from being hospitalized for a psychotic episode in March? Or what if the hair loss was induced by a different medication? I'm currently only on Wellbutrin, but have been on lithium, lamictal, abilify, risperdal, and trazodone. While I'm no longer on any of those, I had a horrible reaction to lamictal about 8 weeks before starting the Wellbutrin (flue-like symptoms, joint pain, swollen breasts, a rash, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, suicidal thoughts). What if the lamictal induced the shock to my system, but the hair loss only showed up by the time I was off the lamictal and on the Wellbutrin?

I feel so horrible right now without the Wellbutrin and would hate to waste the opportunity to not feel this depressed if it's not even the Wellbutrin that's causing the hair loss! My current psych has no insight whatsoever, so I'd appreciate your input.

I don't want to go bald on the Wellbutrin, but I don't want to feel this way either. I know I've only been on Prozac for a week, but my behavior and mood right now are really worrying me. Prozac isn't energizing me the way Wellbutrin was and I've been binge eating (on my roommate's food!) and spiralling into a deeper depression for the past few days. I spent all afternoon and night in the house yesterday binge eating and have been in bed all day today. I did not have these issues while I was on the Wellbutrin.

BTW, I'm already taking zinc, selenium, biotin, and a multi vitamin to try to counter the hair loss. I also recently added fish oil, iron and b12 and purchased the nioxin shampoo, which I'll be trying tomorrow.

I need to get out of this destructive depression, but I don't want to go bald, which is also extremey depressing and anxiety inducing. What have your experiences been like? What are your thoughts on likely causes? What do you suggest?

i started wellbutrin to quit smoking. a week after ramping up the dosage to 300 mg's i noticed a considerable amount of hair loss and immediately stopped. i've been off the "wellies" for a week and a bit and haven noticed some new hair regrowth. i need to add that i started taking a prenatal multi vitamin and 3000 mcg's of biotin. my new hair is baby fine but i'm confident that in a few months the growth will be thicker and noticeable.

i did a google search on 'medications that cause hair loss' and the most common meds are mood altering drugs and antidepressants.

as for losing your hair due to shock....i'm thinking the shock has to be a little more substantial than starting a new drug. like a life changing event.