Can Antidepressants Cause Hair Loss?

Quick summary: Can antidepressants cause hair loss?

• What are Antidepressants? Antidepressants are medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions by altering chemical balances in the brain.
• Can they cause hair loss? While not a common side effect, antidepressants may cause hair loss, often in the form of telogen effluvium, where hair prematurely enters the resting phase of growth and is shed. In most cases, hair loss is temporary and resolves once the medication is adjusted or stopped. However, this process can be lengthy, even taking a few months.
• Which antidepressants are linked to hair Loss? SSRIs, such as fluoxetine and sertraline, SNRIs like duloxetine and venlafaxine, and atypical antidepressants, particularly bupropion, have been associated with hair loss.
• Managing Hair Loss: If hair loss occurs, consult with a doctor to explore alternatives. Additionally, you can consider topical treatments like minoxidil, as well as make lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet, and adopt gentle hair care practices. Professional treatments may also be an option if the hair loss persists.

Have you noticed more hair in your brush or shower drain lately? If you’re taking antidepressants, you might wonder if there’s a connection there. In this blog, we’ll explore whether antidepressants can cause hair loss, why it might happen, and what you can do about it.

What are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are a class of medications prescribed to manage and treat mental health conditions, primarily depression. These medications work by altering the balance of neurotransmitters—chemical messengers in the brain responsible for mood regulation, sleep, and overall emotional well-being¹.

Beyond depression, antidepressants are often used to treat other conditions such as anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain syndromes¹. They are essential tools in mental health care, offering relief to individuals whose symptoms might otherwise interfere significantly with their daily lives, relationships, and work.

By helping stabilise mood and improve emotional health, antidepressants play a critical role in the recovery and management of mental health conditions for millions of individuals worldwide. However, like any medication, they come with potential side effects, one of which may include hair loss—a topic we will explore in this blog.

Can Antidepressants Cause Hair Loss?

Long-term use of antidepressants is associated with various side effects, the most commonly reported being²:

• Sexual dysfunction
• Weight gain
• Emotional numbness

While hair loss is not a frequent side effect, it has been discussed as a potential minor adverse effect in some individuals..

The type of hair loss most commonly linked to antidepressants is known as telogen effluvium. This condition occurs when hair prematurely enters the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle. In telogen effluvium, the proportion of hair follicles actively growing hair decreases, leading to noticeable shedding.

Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, experts believe antidepressants might disrupt the hair growth cycle. Ultimately, chemical changes in the body caused by these medications may act as a trigger for telogen effluvium³.

Which antidepressants are associated with hair loss?

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain, helping to improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. While highly effective, some SSRIs have been recorded to cause hair loss. These include³:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs target both serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, offering a broader approach to treating depression. Certain SNRIs have also been associated with hair loss, including³:

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla)

Atypical Antidepressants

Atypical antidepressants work through different mechanisms, often targeting other neurotransmitters.

• Bupropion (Wellbutrin): Bupropion has been found to have the highest relative risk of hair loss compared to SSRIs³.

Is Hair Loss from Antidepressants Reversible?

In most cases, hair loss caused by antidepressants is not permanent. Once the medication is stopped or switched, the hair growth cycle usually resumes its normal pattern. However, this process can take several months, and you may notice new hair growth emerging slowly during this time. Patience is crucial as it can take a while for hair to fully recover.

That being said, it’s important not to abruptly stop taking your antidepressants, as this can trigger withdrawal symptoms and may worsen your mental health condition.

Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication. They can provide guidance on how to safely transition and recommend alternative treatments with fewer potential side effects.

How to Manage Hair Loss from Antidepressants

If you’re experiencing hair loss due to antidepressant use, there are several strategies you can consider to help manage the condition:

• Consult Your Doctor and Explore Medication Alternatives: Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if your antidepressant is causing the hair loss. If so, they may recommend switching to a different medication with a lower risk of hair loss. Please do not stop or adjust your medication without professional guidance.
• Consider Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter treatments like minoxidil can help stimulate hair growth and are commonly used to treat conditions such as telogen effluvium. However, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before using these treatments to ensure they’re appropriate for your situation, and to get to the root cause of the hair loss.
• Focus on a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can promote healthy hair growth. Ensuring you’re not deficient in essential nutrients such as Iron, B12, Vitamin D, Zinc helps maintain the overall health of your hair.
• Hair Care Practices: Practice gentle hair care by using mild shampoos and conditioners, avoiding excessive heat styling, and limiting chemical treatments that can damage your hair further.
• Consider Professional Treatments: If hair loss continues or is significant, you may want to consult a dermatologist or trichologist for personalised solutions. More permanent options can involve hair restoration therapies like hair transplant surgery.
  More information about hair transplant surgery including the aftercare and recovery can be found by getting in touch with our friendly team here at The Treatment Rooms London. 

Conclusion

While hair loss from antidepressant use is relatively uncommon, it can be distressing for those who experience it. If you notice excessive hair shedding while using antidepressants, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to explore potential alternatives or adjustments to your treatment. In many cases, hair loss is temporary and reversible, and with the right management strategies, you can support your hair’s regrowth. By working closely with a healthcare professional, you can navigate your treatment plan and gain back thicker, healthier hair. 

References

1. Antidepressants (no date) NHS choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview/. 
2. Cartwright C, Gibson K, Read J, Cowan O, Dehar T. Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016 Jul 28;10:1401-7. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4970636/
3. Asghar F, Shamim N, Farooque U, Sheikh H, Aqeel R. Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020 May 27;12(5):e8320. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7320655/