I've done some reading into the causes of hairloss, as I am pretty sure I'm noticing some thinning at the back of my head, and have found that many of the meds we take can cause hair loss. Anyone else having this problem? Anyone know anything about meds and hairloss or how to deal with it (I mean other than buying a hat and crying myself to sleep at night)? I am sure genetics aren't at play, everyone in my family has a very full head of hair. I am relatively young, as healthy as a bipolar person can be, I guess, and female so it's not male pattern baldness. Someone told me to take more zinc. Any thoughts? Talk about your sucky side effects, if my meds are causing this I am not happy.

Yes, they can. What med/s are you on? I was on Lamictal and it caused very bad hair loss. My dr took me off. I'm now trying Abilify and Wellbutrin.

I know depakote can also cause hair loss.

Take Zinc and Selenium supplements and see if that helps. It didn't help my loss so no more Lamictal for me.

I lost so much hair on Depakote that I had to stop taking it because I was afraid I was going to lose it all. I don't have a thick head of hair so it was really bad and damaging to my self-esteem.

Apparently, different drugs cause it for different people, because I never have had any problems with it on Lamictal. But you may seriously have to consider switching (or buying a wig -- however, that was not an option for me!!) BTW, my hair grew back normally afterwards.

Yes, they can. What med/s are you on? I was on Lamictal and it caused very bad hair loss. My dr took me off. I'm now trying Abilify and Wellbutrin.

I know depakote can also cause hair loss.

Take Zinc and Selenium supplements and see if that helps. It didn't help my loss so no more Lamictal for me.

I am taking Lamictal, Abilify, Mirtazapine, and Effexor. I also take synthroid and focalin. I thought maybe my hypothyroidism was the problem but my bloodwork came back saying all my levels were in the normal range. My psychiatrist seemed surprised to hear that these meds could cause hairloss. She thinks any hairloss I might be having is the result of age and stress. I'm only 38!

I've tried Wellbutrin before but didn't think it did much for me at the time. Maybe I need to try it again.

Thanks for the info. I will definitely try the zinc and selenium.

Hello- I'm new here-
But wanted to say-
that no matter what the doctors say it is definately true:

Wellbutrin (I was on 350 mg)
and Focalin (on 10mg- then 20mg)

DO CAUSE HAIR LOSS!

Everywhere i look answers to my questions have been vague...oh you're under stress...etc.
sorry folks-
that's BULL SH__
The meds make you lose your hair- I've decided to stop all my ,meds-
I just don't trust this industry- I used to have thick/follicle thick hair-
NOW: Thin follicles thin hair- Hair loss galore....

its NUTS!

Too many complaints- spell one thing: these meds are like cocaine- they cause hair loss-

I appreciate all responses- I am at my wits end after reading what everyone's written..we all see the TRUTH but no one (from the med companies) tells it like it is...:(

Jackers,
I take msm on a daily basis. It has all sorts of joint benefits, but I take it because it stimulates hair and nail growth. You can pick some up at trader joes or or maybe even central market or PCC. I suggest getting the pill form and not the power form as it just tastes nasty ;) I started out slow and worked my way up to 3000 mg a day. My hair is very long and very healthy :)

I have not heard from you in a while, so I wish you luck and hope that you are doing well. *hugs*

Dont use shampoos either, they are industrial soaps that dry the scalp, and damage the scalp skin structure

Just use sorbolene (as free of additives as possible) or conditoner to clean your hair

I sometimes let the sorbolene soak in overnight (I make my own with plant based products and no preservatives so must be kept in fridge unlike shop brought sorbolene

I was losing my hair until I learnt this from a specialist, and the added benefit no more dandruff, itchy scalp and it dramatically improve hair quality, ie lustre body

Shampoos with soaps are a cyclic business, they create problems so you buy more products (often same brand) to fix
just use their conditioner (drop the shampoo it is a sham scam)
give it a try for 2-3 months and see if I am wrong? it takes a while but it works for my whole family now, male and female.

I was losing chunks of hair on Depakote and had to switch to Abilify as a result. Unfortunately, the Abilify has made me gain 14 lbs and I'm not eating any more than usual. I'm so frustrated!!! I'm on a diet and don't lose an ounce. I'm about to stop taking the Abilify altogether as a result. I can't stand not fitting into my clothes. Anyone else had this problem? (sorry for the digression/ mini rant, just really upset)

so frustrating. Am realtively new at m eds...and lost handfulls of hair on Lamictal. Plus felt my ADD sxs were getting worse. Now trying depakote......afraid of the hair loss AND weight gain. Anyone know of a mood stabilizer that doesn't exacerbate the ADD sxs? More worried about my scatterbrain than hair at this point....THANKS FOR any advice

http://www.articlesbase.com/hair-loss-articles/biotin-and-hair-loss-the-wonder-vitamin-for-your-hair-410391.html

Although this is posted a lot later than the original post I thought I would suggest that BIOTIN is good for those who are losing hair. I am almost 8 months post-op gastric bypass surgery and some people I know suggest Biotin if you are losing hair. I am trying to remember to take all my meds but it's hard to remember anything at all. I am on it as well as other vitamins and I have also noticed hair loss but I believe it is because of not eating well as I am, as I said post-gastric bypass surgery. I am not presently on any meds for depression but the only med I am on is Ritalin for ADD. I am not sure if that will cause hair loss.

I have included a link just in case anyone wants to check it out.

Good luck to you all! I hope you all are feeling well and doing well. It's been a while since I have been around here but I still think of you all and hope you are doing well.

Pam