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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Hair Loss After Taking Wellbutrin?

I am 45 year old women weigh230 lbs been heavy all my life. Lost my mom 3 years ago to supra nuclear palsy. So little depression with that. This year went on 10-20 mg lexapro generic felt great immediate November dec jan February feeling sluggish in am. Dr switched tomprozac took 2 weeks felt like I was going crazy so added 10 mg lexapro off prozax. Then after a week added Wellbutrin for energy 150 am 150 pm felt great smile happy energy back to normal. But I started losing hair in February then it became a lot in February March. I'm a hairdresser so have had lots of clients go through this. So got blood test. Mini or abnormalities they said I go in Friday to talk to him. Somewhen while is stopped Wellbutrin and cut back to 5 mg lexapro. Reading about thyroid should I ask for a full thyroid panel. There is no real answers for my moms disease but depression was one of her first signs. Help. I'm freaking out a little I've lost at least half my hair since February. Thanks
Wed, 10 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Bupropion is an antidepressant drug. There are some case reports citing Bupropion as cause of loss and thinning of hair. In most cases the loss of hair occurs during first few weeks of therapy and usually seen in high doses. Reduction of doses result in improvement in most of individuals. If the hair loss become persistent then best option is to stop the drug and to ask for some other drug. SSRI drugs like Sertraline, Escitalopram are relatively safer if we consider hair loss. Don't be distressed due to this hair loss because it is totally reversible. Any good volume enhancing shampoo and dose reduction would help to decrease the loss. Consult your doctor if hair fall increases.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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What Causes Severe Hair Loss After Taking Wellbutrin?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Bupropion is an antidepressant drug. There are some case reports citing Bupropion as cause of loss and thinning of hair. In most cases the loss of hair occurs during first few weeks of therapy and usually seen in high doses. Reduction of doses result in improvement in most of individuals. If the hair loss become persistent then best option is to stop the drug and to ask for some other drug. SSRI drugs like Sertraline, Escitalopram are relatively safer if we consider hair loss. Don t be distressed due to this hair loss because it is totally reversible. Any good volume enhancing shampoo and dose reduction would help to decrease the loss. Consult your doctor if hair fall increases. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.